London Marathon 2023: When is the race? Where is the route? How to get there and how to watch
The London Marathon returns to its traditional spring slot this weekend with thousands of runners - amateurs and those in fancy dress - expected to pound the streets of the capital.
The 2023 marathon, the race’s 43rd edition since its inception in 1981, will take place on Sunday, April 23.
Last year, more than 40,000 people took place in the run, with Amos Kipruto and Yalemzerf Yehualaw taking first place in the top races.
It will be the first time since 2019 that the marathon has been held in the spring after the previous three editions were moved to October due to the Covid-19 pandemic.
Here's what you need to know about the London Marathon whether you're donning your running shoes or cheering on from the sidelines.
When is the London Marathon 2023?
This year's race will take place on Sunday, April 23.
The event will be held on this date for the first time since 2019, after taking place in October for the previous three years.
The marathon will begin at 9.15am for elite wheelchair participants, 9.25am for elite women, and 10.00am for elite men and mass start.
What route is the London Marathon 2023?
The 26.2-mile course starts at Greenwich Park, circling around Charlton before passing the Cutty Sark and heading through Deptford and Rotherhithe.
After crossing the Thames over Tower Bridge, the course turns east through Canary Wharf before shooting back towards Embankment and the London Eye.
A long approach to Buckingham Palace then leads to the finish line on the Mall.
How do I get to the London Marathon 2023?
All participants are entitled to free travel on Southeastern train services from London stations to the start, as well as on the Docklands Light Railway (DLR), London Underground and buses.
To access this free travel you need to simply present your bib number.
DLR services on the day of the race will start earlier from 5.30am from Tower Gateway and Lewisham and from 7am from Bank and on all other routes.
On Sunday, April 23, there are planned engineering works and closures on the Piccadilly line from Acton to Uxbridge.
If you need any other help with your travel you can find advice from Transport for London here to plan your route.
What travel restrictions and road closures are in place for London Marathon 2023?
Rotherhithe
In conjunction with Bacon’s College, there will once again be a scheme that will enable residents of the Rotherhithe Peninsula to exit the area while the event road closures are in place.
Bacon’s College on Timber Pond Lane will provide a free, secure, overnight parking facility on its premises for use by local residents.
The car park will operate from 4pm on Saturday 22 April until 6pm on Sunday23 April.
Residents can leave their cars securely parked and return on foot at any time during the road closure period to collect vehicles and exit the peninsula.
From the College, the route out is via Timber Pond Road, Poolmans Street, Needleman Street, Surrey Quays Road and Lower Road. Residents requiring access should use Hawkstone Road, Lower Road, Surrey Quays Road, Needleman Street, Poolmans Street and Timber Pond Road and may leave their cars at Bacon’s College until the roads reopen.
Wapping
Residents of Wapping are affected by the route as it passes along The Highway between miles 13 to 14 and again on the opposite carriageway between miles 21 to 22.
A vehicle crossing point will operate at the junction of The Highway and Glamis Road during the road closure period, allowing entry and exit north and south.
Vehicles will not be able to cross while there are participants on both carriageways of The Highway (between approximately 9.30am and 3.30pm on Sunday, April 23).
Residents travelling on foot are advised to use to use the pedestrian subway at the junction of The Highway and Glamis Road.
Isle of Dogs
Residents on the east and west side of Westferry Road will be able to exit onto Westferry Road and travel south to Manchester Road until 9am on Sunday, April 23.
From 9am no vehicle movements will be possible until after 4pm.
Event motorcyclists, assisted by stewards, will be available to guide vehicles along Westferry Road when it is safe to do so before 9am or after 4.30pm only.
Drivers will be unable to return to Westferry Road until the roads are fully reopened.
Greenwich Foot Tunnel
The Greenwich Foot Tunnel will be open south to north throughout marathon day. However, it will be busy with queues anticipated.
The tunnel will be closed north to south between 10.30am and 12.30pm. Alternative arrangements are in place on the DLR services from Island Gardens.
Westminster
There will be road closures in Westminister from this wekeend, that will extend into May as part of the coronation of King Charles III.
The roads listed below will close at the times and dates specified and will all reopen on Thursday, May 18.
The Mall and Marlborough Road will be closed from 5am on Thursday, April 20.
Spur Road, Constitution Hill, Horse Guards Road and Bird Cage Walk (eastbound) will be closed from 6am on Friday, April 21.
Birdcage Walk will be open for westbound traffic until 7.30am on Saturday, April 22, when it will close.
You can find out more details of road closures here.
How many runners are expected to take part in London Marathon 2023?
Around 50,000 runners and thousands more spectators are expected to turn out for the event.
Who can you see running in London Marathon 2023?
Britain's most successive track athlete Sir Mo Farah will be taking on the 26.2 mile run this year.
He missed last year's even due to a hamstring injury, but says he is now recovered and ready to take on the race.
Another famous runner this year will include Marcus Mumford - the lead singer in folk band Mumford & Sons.
He is running to raise money for the Grenfell Foundation - which he helped to set up and where he still serves as chairman of the board of trustees.
Mumford and his wife have said they will match any donations up to £50,000.
Radio 1 DJ Adele Robers will also be on the startline for her third London Marathon this year.
Just 18 months after undergoing life-saving bowel cancer surgery, she has said she is determined to cross the finish line.
Actor Josh O'Connor, best known for playing Prince Charles in the Netflix series The Crown, and former England rugby union captain Chris Robshaw, will also be taking on the iconic race.
Who are the favourites to win the race?
Kenenisa Bekele and Amos Kipruto are the two top contenders in this race.
Bekele has run the second-fastest marathon time on record and is also a three-time Olympic champion but has yet to win the London Marathon in four previous attempts.
Kipruto is the defending champion. His win last year was his first victory at a major event in his career so far - and he also ran one of London's fastest miles in marathon history in 2022.
Kevin Kiptum is also one to watch - attaining the fastest-ever debut marathon in 2022 at the Valencia Marathon (2:01:53).
Sifan Hassan is one of the biggest names when it comes to female athletes, having won an unprecedented three medals at the 2020 Olympics.
She is the only runner in history to win Olympic medals in both middle- and long-distance events.
British runner Eilish McColgan has been forced to pull out of the London Marathon because of a knee problem, it was announced on Friday afternoon.
The 32-year-old Scot, who won her first major title on the track at the 2022 Commonwealth Games in Birmingham, had hoped to see how the injury responded, but confirmed she had not been able to shake off the issue in time to run.
US runners Emily Sisson and Keira D'Amato are also taking part in the London Marathon 2023 which is sure to make this year's race even more competitive.
Sisson is the current North American record holder, and D’Amato is a three-time U.S. champion.
How much does the London Marathon raise for charity?
Each year, the amount raised for charity changes, but in 2022, London Marathon runners have raised £38m on the JustGiving platform alone.
How to watch the London Marathon 2023
BBC One will show live coverage of the London Marathon.
Since the first edition of the tournament in 1982, it has served as the event's host broadcaster.
If you are in London on the day and wish to check out the best spots to watch the race in person, you can check out ITV London's top recommendations here.
What is new to the marathon this year?
A non-binary gender option was offered to applicants in this year’s marathon ballot for the first time, in a bid to make the event more diverse, equitable and inclusive.
A total of 118 non-binary runners will be taking part in the race, with 58,015 people in total signing up.
The oldest person running this year’s marathon is 90-year-old David Picksley, whilst Lana Dales, who turns 18 the day before the event, will be the youngest participant.
In another first, participants have been offered the option to opt out of receiving an official finisher’s T-shirt and have a tree planted instead.
The official Charity of the Year for the race is Great Ormond Street Hospital Children’s Charity.
We originally stated you must finish the race by 4.30pm to receive a medal, but have updated this article to reflect the fact that all runners are able to collect their finisher's medal, a New Balance finisher's T-shirt (unless you opted not to receive these items), a bottle of Buxton Natural Mineral Water, a bottle of Lucozade Sport and an Oat Bar once they cross the Finish Line.
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