What time does the 2024 London Marathon start?
Running or spectating this year's London Marathon? Here's how to plan for the big event on Sunday 21 April
www.runnersworld.comDirect answer: Start times for the London Marathon 2026 are listed as 8:50am for the wheelchair races, 9:05am for the elite women, and 9:35am for the elite men with mass-start waves following between roughly 9:35am and 11:30am, depending on your wave. In the UK, BBC coverage begins at 8:30am on BBC One and continues on BBC Two and iPlayer later in the day.[1][2]
What this means for you in London:
- If you’re spectating, plan to be near your preferred viewing spots by around 9:00–10:00am to catch the early elite action, then move to avoid crowding as the mass field grows.[1]
- If you’re running, check your assigned wave start time and arrive accordingly to avoid delays at the start corral. Waves span from about 9:30am to 11:30am, with the course closing times following later in the day.[2]
- For broadcast updates, BBC coverage will provide live commentary and race progress across channels and streaming platforms.[1]
If you’d like, I can pull the most recent official schedule or viewer tips for the exact wave you’re in and provide a concise plan for your day.[2]