London Marathon 2026: Date, Elite Runners & How to Watch Live Free
The TCS London Marathon 2026 is shaping up to be the greatest marathon ever run. Scheduled for Sunday, April 26, 2026, this year's edition has assembled a field so stacked that multiple analysts are calling it the best in the race's 45-year history — with genuine world record potential on both sides.
Here's everything you need to know: the full elite lineup, start times, and exactly how to watch for free whether you're in the UK, US, Canada, Australia, or anywhere else on the planet.
When Does the London Marathon 2026 Start?
The race follows London's traditional staggered start format from The Mall near Buckingham Palace:
- ~8:30 AM BST — Elite wheelchair races (men and women)
- ~9:00 AM BST — Elite women's race
- ~9:30 AM BST — Elite men's race and mass participation start
For international viewers: that's 8:30 AM / 9:30 AM UTC (add or subtract your time zone offset). US East Coast viewers can expect the elite men's start around 5:30 AM ET.
Women's Elite Field: The Most Competitive in History
The women's race is being called a "clash of champions" — and that's not hyperbole. Every major title from the past two years will be on the start line.
- Tigst Assefa (ETH) — Defending London champion, former women's marathon world record holder (2:11:53 in Berlin 2023)
- Sifan Hassan (NED) — Paris 2024 Olympic marathon gold medalist
- Peres Jepchirchir (KEN) — World champion and Olympic gold medalist (Tokyo 2020)
- Joyciline Jepkosgei (KEN) — Former London champion, 2025 Valencia Marathon winner
- Hellen Obiri (KEN) — Two-time New York City Marathon champion
- Megertu Alemu (ETH) — Dubai Marathon record holder
- Degitu Azimeraw (ETH) — Multiple World Marathon Majors podium finisher
Britain's top distance runners — including Eilish McColgan, Charlotte Purdue, and Rose Harvey — will compete for the national honour of top British woman.
With the current women's world record sitting at 2:09:56 (Ruth Chepngetich, Chicago 2024), the conditions will determine whether London produces history. London's flat, fast course and cool April weather make it one of the most record-friendly marathons in the world.
Men's Elite Field: Defending Champion Returns
Sabastian Sawe of Kenya returns to defend his London Marathon title in a men's field that is equally formidable.
- Sabastian Sawe (KEN) — Defending champion, 2026 title favourite
- Jacob Kiplimo (UGA) — World record holder for the half marathon
- Tamirat Tola (ETH) — Reigning Paris 2024 Olympic marathon champion
- Geoffrey Kamworor (KEN) — Two-time World Half Marathon champion making his London debut
- Joshua Cheptegei (UGA) — Double Olympic gold medalist (10,000m, Tokyo 2020) now focused on the marathon
- Amos Kipruto (KEN) — 2021 London Marathon champion
- Amanal Petros (GER) — European marathon record holder
- Deresa Geleta (ETH) — Consistent sub-2:04 performer
British men's hopes rest on Emile Cairess, Mahamed Mahamed, Philip Sesemann, and Patrick Dever — all capable of top-10 finishes against this field.
The men's world record stands at 2:00:35 (Kelvin Kiptum, Chicago 2023). Breaking the 2-hour barrier officially remains marathon running's ultimate goal. London's depth of field guarantees a blistering pace.
Wheelchair Races: Marcel Hug Chases History
In the wheelchair events, Switzerland's Marcel Hug returns gunning for his eighth London Marathon title — which would equal the all-time record. Hug is the dominant force in wheelchair marathon racing and has won London six times. He faces stiff competition from David Weir (UK legend competing on home soil) and a new generation of elite wheelchair racers.
How to Watch London Marathon 2026 Live Free by Country
- BBC One (main live coverage)
- BBC Two (extended coverage)
- BBC iPlayer (free live stream, no subscription needed)
- BBC Sport App (mobile and tablet, free)
- Special Tower Bridge and finish line camera feeds via BBC iPlayer
- US, Canada, Australia: FloTrack (subscription, ~$13/month)
- China, Japan, New Zealand, MENA: Olympics.com / Olympic Channel (free)
- Most other countries: Check your national public broadcaster
United Kingdom
The BBC holds exclusive UK broadcast rights through 2030, making the London Marathon one of the few major sporting events guaranteed to remain free-to-air in Britain for the rest of the decade. Coverage begins early on BBC One with athlete profiles and live starts from the wheelchair races. Stream everything free via BBC iPlayer — no subscription required.
United States and Canada
FloTrack is the go-to option for North American viewers. A FloSports subscription runs approximately $12.99/month (cancel anytime). For casual viewers, the BBC Sport YouTube channel often streams highlights shortly after the race concludes.
Australia
FloTrack serves Australian viewers as well. Check whether SBS carries any coverage — in previous years, SBS has picked up highlights packages from major marathons.
Rest of World
The Olympic Channel (Olympics.com) provides free streaming in China, Japan, New Zealand, and MENA territories. For other countries, londonmarathonevents.co.uk maintains a broadcast guide by country updated in the weeks before race day.
What Makes 2026 Special
Beyond the elite fields, the 2026 London Marathon marks the 45th edition of a race that has become one of the world's great annual sporting occasions. Since its inaugural run in March 1981, it has grown from 6,255 finishers into a global event drawing over 50,000 participants and raising more than one billion pounds for charity.
How to Follow Along on Race Day
For those not watching live, the best real-time options are:
- BBC Sport app — Live text commentary and split updates, free globally
- The London Marathon app — Official GPS tracker for elite runners and mass race participants
- X (@LondonMarathon) — Real-time updates and athlete reactions
- r/running on Reddit — Live race threads are highly active for major marathons
The Bottom Line
April 26 could be one of the great days in marathon history. Tigst Assefa against Sifan Hassan and Peres Jepchirchir is the kind of women's race that gets written about for decades. In the men's race, a defending champion, an Olympic champion, and a half-marathon world record holder racing side by side guarantees fireworks from the gun.
If you're in the UK, block out Sunday morning and tune into BBC One — it costs nothing and you're watching what may be the sport's finest hour. Everywhere else, the early alarm is worth setting.
The London Marathon 2026 starts April 26. Don't miss it.
