London Marathon 2024: How to watch on the BBC, elite runners, route, start times
TCS London Marathon 2024 |
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Date: Sunday, 21 April Times: 09:05 BST wheelchair races, 09:25 elite women, 10:00 elite men and masses |
Coverage: Live on BBC TV, BBC iPlayer, BBC Sport website & app from 08:30 |
The London Marathon takes place on Sunday, 21 April - with more than 50,000 runners aiming to tackle the 26.2 miles.
Some will have world records they want to break, others will be running in fancy dress, but all will be cheered on by the crowds while raising millions of pounds for charity.
You can follow the action live on the BBC from 08:30 BST.
Who is running in the elite races?
There will be 20 athletes in the women's elite race and 43 in the men's.
Great Britain's Becky Briggs and Alice Wright will participate in the women's race after competing in the marathon at the 2022 European Athletics Championships.
Joining them are Anya Culling, Rachel Hodgkinson, Helen Gaunt, Mhairi Maclennan and Lucy Reid.
Ethiopia's new world record holder Tigst Assefa, Kenya's trio of Brigid Kosgei, Ruth Chepngetich and Olympic champion Peres Jepchirchir, and Ethiopia's 2020 London Marathon champion Yalemzerf Yehualaw will all be there.
They will aim to break the women's only world record - the fastest time by a woman in a marathon that was not a mixed-gender event - set by Kenya's Mary Keitany in 2017 (two hours 17 minutes and one second).
In the men's race, Emile Cairess returns after becoming the third-fastest Briton on his London Marathon debut last year. He is joined by Callum Hawkins, who finished fourth at the World Championships.
Compatriot Marc Scott, a 3,000m bronze medallist at the 2022 World Indoor Championships - will make his marathon debut, as will Mahamed Mahamed.
The elite men's race is headlined by Ethiopia's Tamirat Tola, who is the New York City Marathon champion, and Kenya's Alexander Mutiso Munyao.
In the wheelchair races, Britain's David Weir - the most decorated athlete in the event's history with a total of eight wins - is set to compete in his 25th consecutive London Marathon.
What is the route?
The route, 26.2 miles across London, has largely remained unchanged since the first marathon in 1981.
The course begins at Greenwich Park and ends on The Mall, where runners will cross the finishing line.
It takes in several famous London landmarks, including Tower Bridge, Canary Wharf, Big Ben and Buckingham Palace.
Which celebrities are running?
As with previous London Marathons, an array of famous faces will be among the runners, each raising money for their chosen charities.
Comedian and TV presenter Romesh Ranganathan, Golden Globe-winning actor Ruth Wilson and Ted Lasso actor Phil Dunster will be making their marathon debuts.
EastEnders actors Emma Barton and Jamie Borthwick will be running as their characters Honey and Jay.
Athletes from different sporting backgrounds will also participate, including 2022 Commonwealth karate gold medallist Joe Kellaway, former Wales rugby union player Shane Williams and Winter Olympian Aimee Fuller.
Paralympians Danny Crates and Richard Whitehead will be among the hundreds of participants with a disability taking part.
Other celebrities include McFly drummer Harry Judd, former Doctor Who actor Christopher Eccleston and F1 presenter Natalie Pinkham.
How many people run the London Marathon?
The 2024 London Marathon is expected to be the biggest yet, with more than 50,000 runners set to take on the 26.2-mile challenge.
Thousands more will line the streets to offer encouragement to friends and family members taking part, as well as cheering on some of the world's best elite runners chasing records.
One familiar face who won't be running this year is Sir Mo Farah, who ran the London Marathon for the final time in 2023.
Will there be road closures for the London Marathon?
There will be a number of road closures around London throughout Saturday as the race takes place. For the latest travel advice and to see which roads will be affected, visit the London Marathon website.
What is the weather forecast for the London Marathon?
Runners may be glad to know that the weather forecast is currently looking dry, with sunny spells in the morning followed by cloudy conditions from 13:00 BST.
You can find the latest London weather forecast on BBC Weather.
How to follow the London Marathon on the BBC
Watch the day's coverage in full on the BBC, including the main race.
Viewers can watch family and friends complete their marathon via the finish line cameras on BBC iPlayer and the BBC Sport app and website, which will also be showing a stream of the runners crossing Tower Bridge.
There will be full live text commentary on the BBC Sport website and further coverage on BBC Sport's social media channels.
Network TV
08:30-14:00, BBC One
14:00-15:00, BBC Two
Additional coverage on BBC iPlayer and BBC Sport app and website
08:20-15:00 - elite races
11:30-14:30 - Tower Bridge camera
13:00-18:00 - finish line cameras
Highlights
18:00-19:00, BBC Two
What time does it start?
09:05 - wheelchair races
09:25 - elite women
10:00 - elite men and masses
All times are BST and subject to late changes.
