About the trip
Travel facts
The race
Programme
Tour leaders
HotelsTCS London Marathon
Participants react as they cross the finish line at The Mall during the TCS London Marathon on Sunday 26th April 2026. Photo: David Cliff for London Marathon Events For further information: media@londonmarathonevents.co.uk
Runners cross Tower Bridge during the general event at The Big Half, Sunday 03 September 2023. Photo: Ian Walton for London Marathon Events For further information: media@londonmarathonevents.co.uk
Photo: Jed Leicester/Virgin Money London Marathon media@london-marathon.co.uk
TCS London Marathon 2027 – a historic double!
2027 will be an extraordinary year for the TCS London Marathon. For the first time ever, the event will take place over two days – Saturday 24 and Sunday 25 April – with a total of 100,000 runners taking to the streets of London. This unique format will apply to 2027 only, making it the largest edition in the event’s history.
All participants will run the same iconic marathon course through London, regardless of which day they are allocated. It will be two days filled with running, incredible crowds and the fantastic atmosphere that has made the London Marathon one of the most sought-after races in the world.
One of the world’s most prestigious races
The TCS London Marathon is known as one of the fastest and most prestigious marathons in the world. The classic course takes runners from Greenwich through some of London’s best-known areas and past iconic landmarks such as the Cutty Sark and Tower Bridge. From there, the route continues through Docklands and central London before the spectacular finish near Buckingham Palace.
A celebration across London
During marathon weekend, the streets of London are filled with runners, spectators, music and entertainment. Hundreds of thousands of people gather along the course to cheer on the participants, creating the special atmosphere for which the TCS London Marathon is famous. From the start to the iconic finish near Buckingham Palace, it is an unforgettable experience for runners and accompanying travellers alike.
With 100,000 participants across two days, a historic marathon weekend awaits in London in 2027. Join us and be part of it!
London Marathon
Travel facts
London – a city that has everything
London is a truly global city with an endless array of experiences. Whether you’re a first-time visitor or a seasoned London traveller, there’s always something new to discover.
World-famous theatres, shopping in trendy department stores, green parks, world-class museums, bustling markets, top-flight football and culinary flavours from around the world await you. Don’t miss iconic places like Piccadilly Circus, Big Ben, the London Eye, the British Museum, Harrods and Camden Market.
Throughout your journey, our experienced Springtime leaders will be there to guide and support you – both during the race and in the experiences around it.
About the race
Experience one of the world’s most iconic running experiences! The London Marathon offers an unforgettable journey through historic streets, cheering crowds and an atmosphere filled with energy and community – while every step contributes to charity worldwide.
Run through the heart of London and feel the pulse of history. The London Marathon is more than a race – it’s a global celebration of people, where thousands of runners come together in unity and passion. Starting in Greenwich and finishing in front of Buckingham Palace, you’ll pass iconic landmarks such as Tower Bridge, Big Ben and The Tower of London, all in an atmosphere of cheer, energy and togetherness.
The race is also the world’s largest annual one-day fundraising event – a marathon for charity where participants from all over the world run for their favourite causes. In 2024, a record £73.5 million was raised for charity, and since its inception in 1981, over £1.3 billion has been donated to good causes.
In addition to the elite, the race also attracts runners who want to set more unusual records – from running dressed as superheroes to breaking Guinness records in a suit or slippers.
One of the six classic Abbott World Marathon Majors, the race is an obvious destination for elite and amateur runners alike. It’s the perfect race for those who want to experience one of the world’s fastest and most atmospheric courses – an unforgettable journey through the historic streets of London and Europe’s most vibrant city.
The London Marathon is a unique combination of beauty, challenge and community – a race where every step counts and every runner contributes to something bigger.
Abbott World Marathon Majors
Do you dream of running among the world’s top marathon cities and joining an exclusive group of runners? Then the Abbott World Marathon Majors is your ultimate challenge – a journey that takes you across six iconic cities, six unforgettable races and a destination that symbolises pure running joy and determination.
The Abbott World Marathon Majors consist of six of the world’s most prestigious marathons: Tokyo, Boston, London, Berlin, Chicago and New York. Together they form the ultimate marathon journey – a chance to experience new cultures, atmospheres and courses, while challenging both body and mind.
Each race you complete earns you a star on your way to the coveted Six Star Medal, proof that you have completed all six. The journey requires careful planning, perseverance and passion – but each goal you cross becomes a memory for life.
Beyond the races, you also become part of a global community of runners through the World Marathon Majors system, with rankings, virtual challenges and the opportunity to track your progress against the world’s best in your class.
When you run your last of the six races and receive your Six Star Medal, it’s more than a race you’re finishing – it’s a journey you’ve conquered.
The TCS Sydney Marathon has officially become the seventh member of the Abbott World Marathon Majors from 2025. The race has undergone a multi-year evaluation process in which the organisation, safety, spectator support and participation numbers have been improved to meet the high standards required to become a Major. The course takes runners through the city’s most iconic settings, including running across the Sydney Harbour Bridge and finishing at the world-famous Opera House.
Looking ahead, further expansion of the series is planned. Two marathons are currently in the candidate phase: the Sanlam Cape Town Marathon in South Africa and the Shanghai Marathon in China. If Cape Town fulfils all the criteria, the race is expected to become an official Major in 2026, while Shanghai could be added the following year, in 2027.
With these additions, the Abbott World Marathon Majors could comprise a total of nine races, and there has already been discussion about the possibility of introducing a new Nine-Star Medal for those runners who complete all the marathons in the expanded series.
Programme
Preliminary programme (Please note that the programme is subject to change)
Friday 23 April
- 08:55 Arrival from Arlanda
- 09:20 Arrival from Kastrup
- 09:35 Arrival from Oslo
- 10:30 Transport to the hotels via Expo
- 16:00 Check-in at the hotel
- 17:30-18:00 Operating period
Saturday 24 April
- 07:00 Morning run
- 10:00-10:15 Operating period
- 10:15 Group trip to the Expo
- 17:30-19:00 Group pasta dinner – advance booking required
Sunday 25 April
- 05:30 Lunch begins at the Royal Lancaster
- 05:30 Lunch begins at the Hilton Paddington
- 06:00 Breakfast is served at BW Mornington
- 06:30 The bus to the start
- 09:30 Start – LONDON MARATHON!
- 09:30 Let’s all cheer together! 🎉
- 13:00 Tips for pubs near the finish line 🍺
- 19:00 After-Run Dinner
Monday 26 April
- 11:00 Check-out for everyone.
- 14:10 Bus transfer to the airport, departing from BW Mornington
- 14:20 Bus transfer to the airport, departing from the Hilton Paddington
Program
Our tour leaders
No instructors have been assigned to this trip.
Our hotels
Best Western Mornington Hotel
Best Western Mornington Hotel Lovely hotel in Bayswater, a 10-minute walk from Paddington Station and Hyde Park. Lancaster Gate tube station is a three-minute walk away and Buckingham Palace is a half-hour walk away. The rooms are generally of a good standard and the staff are helpful. To the start of the race we take …
Hilton London Paddington
Hilton London Paddington Hilton London Paddington is a venerable four-star hotel that combines timeless elegance with modern comfort. Located next to Paddington Station, the hotel offers unrivalled proximity to transport – including the Heathrow Express, which brings you to the airport in just 15 minutes. Accommodation:The hotel has over 400 stylishly decorated rooms and suites, …
Royal Lancaster London
Royal Lancaster London Lancaster Terrace, London W2 2TY This 5-star London hotel enjoys a quiet location near Hyde Park, Marble Arch and Lancaster Gate Underground Station. The hotel has great views of London’s famous skyline. Royal Lancaster London is also just a 5-minute walk from Paddington Underground Station. The Oxford Street and Knightsbridge shopping areas …
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