Route, runners and road closures - everything you need to know about the London Marathon

This Sunday will see around 40,000 runners tackle a 26.2 mile route around the streets of the capital, as the 39th London Marathon gets underway.

The race starts between Greenwich Park and Blackheath with the elite wheelchair participants setting off first at 9:15am. Participants cross the finish line on The Mall.

Start times for Sunday's races:

09:05 – Elite Wheelchair Races

09:10 – World Para Athletics Marathon Championships Ambulant Athletes

09:25 – The Elite Women's

Race10:10 – The Elite Men's Race, British Athletics & England Athletics Marathon Championships and Mass Race

World record holder Eliud Kipchoge and London favourite Mo Farah headline the elite men's race. Kenyan duo Mary Keitany and Vivian Cheruiyot meet in the women’s elite field. Paralympic champion David Weir hopes to win a record ninth victor in the men's wheelchair race.

If you are going to watch the event there are maps available here to show the best spots and how to get them. Greenwich and Tower Bridge both can be particularly busy, as is anywhere along the last mile.

Canary Wharf, where runners pass the 15 mile mark, tends to be less crowded. Around Mudchute, close to Mudchute Farm, is great for families as it's accesible via the less congested DLR and not too busy.

There will be road closures throughout London. Organisers have created an interactive map, available here, which updates in the real time as the race progresses.