Running the TCS London Marathon Route with David Yim

Having run the TCS London Marathon more than six times, I believe its route is among the best in the Abbott World Marathon Majors.

Each year, over 50,000 runners from around the world take part in this marathon, and you can see why. People know the London Marathon for its flat route, electric atmosphere, and strong crowd support. This marathon is like no other, offering an unforgettable experience.

In this post, you will find my insider guide to the London Marathon route. It covers the course, famous landmarks, the crowd atmosphere, and aid stations to expect along the way.

London Marathon Course Breakdown

To help manage the thousands of runners on the day, the London Marathon uses a colour-coded start system. It includes blue, green, red, yellow, and pink.

The start line for the marathon, depending on your colour code, starts at Greenwich Park or Blackheath in South-East London. The separate start lines eventually combine into one around mile 3 for the rest of the 26.2-mile course. The course then concludes at The Mall, in front of the iconic Buckingham Palace.

London Marathon Course Map

The course passes some of London’s best-known landmarks, including:

• The Old Royal Naval College (mile 7)
• The Queen’s House (mile 7)
• The Cutty Sark (mile 7)
• Tower Bridge (mile 13)
• The Tower of London (mile 13)
• Canary Wharf (mile 19)
• The Tower of London (again at mile 23)
• The Victoria Embankment (mile 25)
• Somerset House (mile 25)
• The London Eye (mile 26)
• Big Ben and the Houses of Parliament (mile 26)
• Westminster Abbey (mile 26)
• Buckingham Palace (mile 26)

London Marathon Elevation

The London Marathon course elevation presents few small inclines and declines. The only significant decline is around 4km coming down the hill at the end of mile 3 into Woolwich, where the different colour courses merge.

The incline at 4km only lasts 400m and is a 4% incline. The other noticeable incline is the one coming out of Blackfriars underpass at the midpoint of mile 24. This incline is at a 2.5% increase, but with 24 miles in your legs, it’s going to feel like you’re climbing Mount Everest.

This course elevation is perfect for any marathon runner looking to achieve a personal best (PB)!

London Marathon Course Crowd & Atmosphere

Crowd support and atmosphere at any marathon are very important. They can affect a runner’s mind and body by boosting motivation.

The support throughout the London marathon course is unbeatable. If you have your name on your running top, then the crowd will shout your name hundreds of times during the race. It gives you such a boost!

Plenty of entertainment and cheer zones await on the route, including the drummers, bagpipers, a brass band, Run Dem Crew, and Rainbow Row. This will keep motivation high.

However, like many other marathons, there are some low support areas on the course. The hardest parts for me were Westferry Road (mile 17) and Poplar High Street (mile 20). The support was a bit lighter there. You’ve got to keep your head in the game, stay focused and keep moving!

Another challenging part of the course is the Blackfriars underpass at mile 24. No crowds are there, and you will experience fatigue. If you survive this part, you earn the best atmosphere on the Victoria Embankment all the way to the finish.

The Most Uplifting Parts of the London Marathon Route

The 5 most uplifting points on the course, in my opinion, are:

1. Cutty Sark – an iconic landmark on the course at the start of 11km. The crowds are 3-4 deep, and this continues into Creek Road, where there are many charity cheer stations.
2. Tower Bridge – my favorite landmark and easily the best moment on race day. The crowds are 8-9 deep here, and the noise levels are insane.
3. Canary Wharf – at the start of 30km as you come onto the Canary Wharf estate. The crowds are 4-5 deep and give you a much needed boost when your legs are starting to feel the miles.
4. Rainbow Row – At 35km, this is one of the most colourful parts of the course and a proud celebration of the LGBTQ+ community.
5. Victoria Embankment – the noise levels are off the scale, with the crowd being close to the runners in the penultimate mile.

London Marathon Hydration & Aid Stations

In previous years, the London Marathon has reduced the number of water stations from 12 to 9 to reduce waste and improve sustainability.

The water stations are well spaced, with one every 5K, and there is no shortage of water, which comes in 250ml plastic bottles with sports caps. The London Marathon has also introduced more water refill stations, so runners with hydration vests and bottles can refill their bottles.

My advice to athletes running the TCS London Marathon, bring your own nutrition, as there are only 2 gel stations on the course at mile 13 and 18. Which are too late in the race. There is also a limited number of sports drink stations on this course.

Running the Final Miles at The London Marathon

The last 3 miles are incredible. When you get to Tower Hill at the end of the switchback, you know you only have one Parkrun left. The crowd is incredible throughout.

You drop down into Lower Thames Street and pass by the bottom end of the City of London. The close buildings mean the crowd noise levels are amplified. You then run through the underpass and into the Victoria Embankment, where the crowds are close to the runners, and the noise is insane.

Once you see Big Ben, that is when you know you only have a mile to go! You run through Parliament Square, and soon, you’re on the home straight. You see the countdown counters 800m, 600m, 400m, etc. Then you hit the penultimate right turn, and you witness the gantry that says only 385yards to go. You see Buckingham Palace on your left as you take the last right turn into The Mall. Then it’s only 250m to that iconic finish line. It is truly amazing.

If you are inspired to experience the roar of the crowd at the Tower Bridge and conquer the TCS London Marathon, check out our London Marathon travel packages that include race entry, city center accommodation, on-site support, and the biggest after-party!