Your complete guide to the 2026 London Marathon
Whether you’re chasing a PB, raising money for charity, or simply hoping to survive the 26.2 miles with both shoelaces intact, we’ll be right there with you. And by “right there,” we mean inside our lively London Marathon pubs, throwing open the doors, pouring the pints, and cheering until our voices give out.
And if you’re running? We’ve got something very special waiting for you at the finish line…
A pub crawl to run to: Best London Marathon pubs
Training for endurance running takes a lot of physical activity. But, endurance supporting? Now that’s a skill. Whether you’re spectating, celebrating, or just soaking in the adrenaline of the day, our pubs are here with cold pints, hearty food and cracking atmosphere.Below are some of the best pubs on or near the 2026 route:
Marathon, completed. Free drink, rewarded
You did it. 26.2 miles, countless blisters, and enough mental grit to fuel a small army.
The London Marathon is a spectacle, and whether you were running across the city or cheering from the sidelines, there’s one undeniable fact: marathoners deserve a reward. This year, we’re celebrating these heroes the way they deserve, with a FREE drink on us. Here’s how it works:
-Bring proof of your finish. Medal or official results from the TSC London Marathon website, along with ID.
-Head to one of our participating pubs.
-Claim your free drink.
From classic pints of Peroni Nastro Azzurro to a refreshing Coca-Cola Zero Sugar, we’ve got a drink for every kind of finisher. Fancy a spritz? Aperol or Clean Blood Orange Spritz will do the trick. Feeling fancy? A glass of Mirabeau Classic Rosé is calling your name. With so much more to choose from, the easiest part of your day will be toasting with a freebie!
Take a look at the drinks included...
25ml Beefeater London Dry Gin
Fever-Tree Indian Tonic
Fever-Tree Refreshingly Light Tonic
Aperol Spritz
Pimm's
Pint of Aspall
125ml glass Mirabeau Classic Rose
Pint of Peroni Nastro Azzurro
Clean Blood Orange Spritz
Level Head IPA
Hazy Day
Coca-Cola Zero Sugar, Diet Coke, Schweppes Lemonade (regular post-mix)
The beginning of the race
The Yacht – GreenwichKick off your marathon day at this riverside favourite. With views of the Thames and plenty of space for families and dogs, the Yacht is the perfect basecamp before the runners fly past the Cutty Sark.
Pubs along the London Marathon route
If you’re following the runners along the route, you’ll find plenty of brilliant stops to keep the energy high. Start riverside at the Salt Quay in Rotherhithe, where you can watch the marathoners charge past the Thames or follow the action on the big screens inside. With cask ales, comfort food, and patio views that practically demand a celebratory pint, it’s a perfect early-day base.
A little further along sits the Prospect of Whitby in Wapping, London’s oldest riverside tavern and a historical gem that’s seen everything — including the friends in your group who insist every year that they’ll “100% run it next time.” It’s the ideal spot to recharge, soak up centuries of stories, and rest your voice between cheering sessions.
As the excitement builds, the Monument in Whitechapel offers proper sports pub energy with a buzzing atmosphere and a beer garden made for springtime spectators. It’s a natural stop for anyone crafting the ultimate London Marathon pub crawl.
And as you head toward the heart of the capital, the Maple Leaf in Covent Garden brings a fun, friendly burst of Canadian hospitality. It's a lively place to keep spirits high as the runners push toward the finish.
Meet us at the finish line
The Two Chairmen – WestminsterSteps from St James’s Park, the Two Chairmen is an iconic spot, ideal for runners collapsing gracefully into chairs and supporters raising glasses to marathon heroes.
When is the 2026 TCS London Marathon?
The 2026 London Marathon takes place on Sunday, 26th April 2026. The world-famous 26.2-mile route begins in Blackheath and winds past some of London’s most iconic landmarks, including:
- The Cutty Sark – around mile six, you’ll spot one of the fastest and most efficient ships ever built. It burnt down in 2007 but was restored in 2012.
- Tower Bridge – around mile 12, you’ll see runners going across Tower Bridge.
- Canary Wharf – with its glitzy buildings and shiny skyscrapers, London’s financial district is around mile 18.
- The London Eye – sitting along the Thames, it’s hard to miss this giant wheel!
- Big Ben – one of the most famous sights of London, Big Ben marks the final mile.
- Buckingham Palace – both the Palace and the finish line loom into view.
So, when does the race start? Well that all depends on the category of entrants. Start times work like this:
- Elite Wheelchairs: 8:50am
- Elite Women: 9:05am
- Elite Men: 9:35am
- Mass event: 9:35–11:30am
The last runner in the mass event will cross the start line at 11.30am to begin their epic quest for marathon glory.
All runners that make the finish line on the Mall bag themselves a winners medal to show off for years to come, as well as a few other goodies and freebies too, alongside some recovery snacks and a silver blanket. But probably the most important thing is the sense of achievement of finishing one of the most famous marathons on the planet.
So, how long does the London Marathon last? Runners get eight hours to complete the marathon. If you can’t make it during this time but want to continue, you need to move onto the pavement for safety reasons. But there will be a team on hand to help you make it all the way to the finish line. And possibly to point you in the direction of one of our London Marathon pubs.
Whilst seeing the gorgeous sites of the capital city, you can also witness some great marathon times. In 2025, the winners impressed all those who tuned in (especially those stat lovers):
- Elite Men: Sabastian Sawe (2:02:27)
- Elite Women: Tigst Assefa (2:15:50)
- Men’s Wheelchair: Marcel Hug (1:25:25)
- Women’s Wheelchair: Catherine Debrunner (1:34:18)
Running through history
You might be used to settling in to watch the London Marathon on the BBC every year. Or maybe at the pub. Or perhaps you’ve thrown on your trainers and pounded around the course before. Either way, it feels like it’s an event that’s always been run in London. It’s such an iconic part of the sporting landscape in the UK.
But it had to start somewhere. And that first ever starting line happened on 29th March 1981. Due to safety reasons, just 7,747 runners were accepted to run in the first-ever race, despite 22,000 people applying to take part.
Of the runners that entered, there were 6,255 finishers. The first across the line were American Dick Beardsley and Norwegian Inge Simonsen. The two runners crossed the finish line hand-in-hand in the rain on Constitution Hill. They did it in a time of 2:11:48.
Not only did this create a friendship that has lasted a lifetime, but London and Britain were well and truly bitten with the marathon bug. These days, more than 40,000 people – made up of amateur runners and professional athletes – race around the course each year.
Runners who broke the clock
Since its debut in 1981, the London Marathon has become a staple for world records and memorable moments. We’ve seen a lot over the years, including:
- Norway’s Ingrid Kristiansen won four women’s titles in the 1980s. She’s the only woman to achieve this feat.
- Grete Waitz became the first London Marathon world record holder in 1983, with a time of 2:25:29.
- Paula Radcliffe broke the world record twice – in 2003, she ran a time of 2:15:25 in a mixed marathon, which is still a record to this day.
- In 2017, Kenya’s Mary Keitany became a world record holder with her time of 2:17:01.
- Peres Chepchirchir became the women’s only world record in London in 2024, with a time of 2:16:16.
Your essential pre-race checklist
- Collect your event pack
Pick up your race bib at the TCS London Marathon Running Show (ExCeL London, 22–25 April 2026). Go early to avoid queues.
- Book your accommodation
Hotels get booked up well in advance of the London Marathon. Book early to avoid any disappointments and those pesky price surges.
- Set up your fundraising page
Even if you don’t have a charity place, you can still fundraise for a cause close to your heart.
- Know your on-course support
You can find things like a sensory calm space, parental safe spaces (breastfeeding, pumping, etc), multi-faith prayer space, free sanitary products, toilet cards, and more!
The spectator effect
With hundreds of thousands of supporters lining the route each year, the roaring encouragement is often the thing that keeps runners going when the legs start screaming.
In 2025 alone, runners raised an incredible £87.3 million for charity. This was a world record and surpassed the previous record of £73.5 million raised in 2024.
So, whether you’re running, spectating, fundraising, or simply embracing the marathon madness, our London Marathon pubs are ready to welcome you.
Watching the race live? We’ll have it on big screens in many of our sports pubs. Supporting from the sidelines? Join us before, during, or after for food, drinks, and atmosphere.
We’ll see you on Marathon Day – medals optional, pints encouraged.
Terms and Conditions -London Marathon Free Drink
Promotion open to UK residents only, aged 18+, excluding Greene King employees, their families or anyone else professionally connected with this promotion.
Valid from 12:00 on Sunday, 26th April 2026 to 23:00 on Sunday 26th April 2026
Promotion only available to entrants of the Marathon in London 2026 (26th April 2026).
Proof of entry and completion required. Including proof of results on TSC London Marathon official website along with ID or participation medal
Promotion entitles the user to one free drink from the following:
25ml Beefeater London Dry gin
Fever-Tree Indian Tonic
Fever-Tree Refreshingly Light Tonic
Aperol Spritz
Pimm's
Pint of Aspall
125ml glass Mirabeau Classic Rose
Pint of Peroni Nastro Azzurro
Clean Blood Orange Spritz
Level Head IPA
Hazy Day
Coca-Cola Zero Sugar, Diet Coke, Schweppes Lemonade (regular post-mix)
The offer is subject to availability and at participating London pubs only. Redemptions are restricted to one drink per person. Offer cannot be combined with any other offer, daily deal, promotion or discount including Greene King team member and friends & family discounts.
Whilst stocks last. No cash alternative.
Greene King reserves the right to withdraw or amend the offer at any time. Manager’s discretion is final.
Subject to English law and the exclusive jurisdiction of the English courts.
Promoter: Greene King Brewing and Retailing Ltd, Sunrise House, Ninth Avenue, Burton upon Trent, Staffordshire, DE14 3JZ.