London Marathon

London, England|Sunday, April 25, 2027|283 days away
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Weather

Climate Avg
TimeTempDew PtHumidityWindConditions
Start39.6 – 42.7°F37° Crisp66 – 98%4 mph SEPartly cloudy
8:00 AM41.4 – 45.5°F39° Crisp69 – 96%4 mph EPartly cloudy
9:00 AM49.3 – 49.3°F42° Ideal76 – 76%2 mph NEClear sky
10:00 AM52.1 – 52.1°F40° Ideal64 – 64%4 mph EPartly cloudy
11:00 AM54.3 – 54.3°F41° Ideal60 – 60%4 mph EPartly cloudy
Finish56.4 – 56.4°F41° Ideal55 – 55%4 mph EPartly cloudy

Based on 3-year average for this date. Real forecast available in 267 days.

Elevation Profile

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Course Stats

Net Elevation (downhill)
-115 ft
Distance
26.22 mi
Total Gain
+279 ft
Total Loss
-469 ft
Max Grade
6.8%
Altitude
135 ft

Course Breakdown

Greenwich to Tower Bridge

Miles 112|Gently rolling

Moderate rollers through Greenwich and Deptford. Stay controlled through the huge Tower Bridge crowds.

Starting in Greenwich Park, the course heads east past the Cutty Sark and through Deptford and Bermondsey. There are some gentle rises over highway overpasses. Tower Bridge at mile 12 is the emotional peak of the race, with massive crowds on both sides.

Tower Bridge (Mile 12)

Docklands Loop

Miles 1319|Flat, exposed

The grind. Fewer crowds, potential headwind along the water. Protect your pace here.

A long out-and-back loop through Canary Wharf and the Isle of Dogs. The crowds thin substantially, the route can be windy along the river, and the mental challenge ramps up. This is where the race is won or lost for most runners.

Canary Wharf (Mile 17)

The Embankment

Miles 2024|Flat

Along the Thames heading west. Crowds return and build toward Westminster.

Back onto the north bank of the Thames, running west along the Embankment toward Westminster. The crowds grow steadily and the landmarks lift your spirits: Big Ben, the London Eye, the Houses of Parliament. Use the energy but stay controlled.

Big Ben & Westminster

The Mall

Miles 2427|Flat

Final push along Birdcage Walk and The Mall. The finish in front of Buckingham Palace is one of the best in the world.

A short loop past Westminster brings you onto Birdcage Walk and then The Mall for the final straight. The tree-lined avenue with Buckingham Palace at the far end is spectacular. Dig deep for the finish.

Buckingham Palace Finish

Mile Splits

MileGrade
1+0.4%
2+0.1%
3-1.7%
4-1.0%
5-0.1%
6+0.2%
7+0.0%
8-0.1%
9+0.2%
10-0.1%
11-0.1%
12+0.1%
13+0.3%
14+0.0%
15-0.1%
16-0.2%
17+0.1%
18+0.1%
19+0.3%
20-0.3%
21+0.2%
22+0.0%
23+0.2%
24-0.5%
25+0.0%
26+0.0%
27+0.5%

RM Difficulty Index

26/100Moderate
The London Marathon profile costs 0:09 vs a flat course at 4:00-marathon pace. Ranked #35 of 38 marathon courses see the full rankings.

Race-Day Weather History

Race-morning conditions on this date over the past 6 years: median 45°F with a 37°F dew point and 10 mph wind. Heat has rarely been a factor.

YearTempDew PtWindRainSky
202445°F36°F8 mphDrizzle
202341°F34°F6 mphClear
202248°F41°F11 mphPartly cloudy
202146°F37°F13 mphPartly cloudy
201740°F26°F9 mphPartly cloudy
201644°F40°F10 mphDrizzle

Morning conditions (race window) on the London Marathon calendar date each year, from the ERA5 reanalysis archive — the race’s usual slot, not necessarily each edition’s exact day.

London Marathon Pace Calculator & Race Plan

London is mostly flat with a few highway overpasses and one notable drop-and-climb around the Docklands loop. The course runs along the Thames for much of the second half, which is exposed and can be windy. Tower Bridge at mile 12 is where the crowds really pick up.

April weather in London is unpredictable. You might get a cool 50-degree overcast day or a surprisingly warm 65-degree afternoon. Our splits factor in the race-day forecast and the cumulative effect of those conditions over 26.2 miles. The course is fast if you pace it right.

London Marathon FAQ

When is the next London Marathon?

The next London Marathon is on Sunday, April 25, 2027.

How long is the London Marathon?

The London Marathon is 26.2 miles (42.195 km), the standard marathon distance. It runs in London, England.

How much elevation gain does the London Marathon have?

The London Marathon has about 279 ft (85 m) of climbing and 469 ft of descent, with a maximum grade of 6.8%.

Is the London Marathon flat, downhill, or hilly?

The London Marathon is a net downhill course, dropping 115 ft (35 m) from start to finish, with 279 ft of climbing along the way.

How hard is the London Marathon?

Runner's Math scores the London Marathon 26/100 (Moderate) — #35 of 38 marathon courses in our library, ranked by modeled time cost. The profile costs about 0:09 versus a flat course for a runner at 4:00-marathon pace.

What's the weather usually like at the London Marathon?

Over the past 6 years on this date, median race-morning conditions were 45°F with a 37°F dew point and 10 mph wind. Heat has rarely been a factor.