London Marathon
London, United Kingdom
The London Marathon is famous for its flat, fast course and some of the loudest crowds in marathon running. It passes iconic landmarks including Tower Bridge and the Tower of London.
Race profile
Date
Last Sunday in April
Course type
Loop
Elevation
Flat
Established
1981
Typical race-day weather
Cool, often cloudy — sometimes rainy
Warm conditions can significantly affect marathon performance. Use the Heat Adjusted Pace calculator to adjust your target pace on warmer race days.
How to enter
Ballot entry
Entry by public ballot or charity/Good For Age place
Pace planning for London Marathon
Tools to help you race smart
Race Time Predictor
Estimate your marathon finish time
Pace Calculator
Convert pace, speed, distance and time
Pace Band Generator
Print a split-by-split pace band
Negative Split Calculator
Plan a faster second half
GAP Calculator
Adjust effort for hills
Heat Adjusted Pace
Correct target pace for warm conditions
London Marathon — common questions
Is the London Marathon a fast course?
The London Marathon is flat — it is a loop course. Typical race-day temperatures range from 8°C to 18°C. Cool, often cloudy — sometimes rainy.
When is the London Marathon?
The London Marathon is typically held in April. The usual date is the Last Sunday in April.
How do I enter the London Marathon?
Entry by public ballot or charity/Good For Age place
How do I pace myself at the London Marathon?
Use the RunReps Race Time Predictor to estimate your finish time based on a recent race result, then the Pace Band Generator to create split-by-kilometre targets. The flat course makes consistent pacing straightforward — a slight negative split (faster second half) is the optimal strategy.