London Marathon 2025 LIVE: Start time, celebrity runners, route, results, latest weather updates and how to watch

By NOOR QURASHI and LETTICE BROMOVSKY

Published: 03:22 EDT, 27 April 2025 | Updated: 04:52 EDT, 27 April 2025

The 2025 London Marathon could set a new world record today with more than 56,000 people expected to run the 26.2 mile course through the capital.

Thousands or runners including celebrities, MPs and a duo dressed as a slinky dog will pound the pavements this morning on what is forecast to be a warm, dry day with temperatures of up to 22C.

London could set a new record for the world’s biggest marathon which is currently held by the TCS New York Marathon in November when there were 55,646 finishers.

Live updates below 

Elite Men’s race begins followed by mass start

It’s 9.35am which means the Elite Men’s race for this year has begun.

Contenders include Kipchoge Kipchoge whose personal best is a staggering 2:01:09.

More than 50,000 runners have followed the runners – many of them first-time participants, others hoping to break their own personal best.

A long-time in the making… what kind of kit will runners be sporting?

Most people don’t become Marathon runners overnight – it takes guruelling preparation, not just physically but also on a practial level.

Every wondered what a typical Marathon checklist looks like? See our run-down here where MailSport lists five must-have essentials – ranging from smartwatches to hydration vests.

How are things looking so far?

It’s still very early days but a quick review at the 5km mark showed the men’s wheelchair race had Romanchuk, Hug, Schipper, Suzuki, Weir and Watanabe in the leading group.

The women’s saw Debrunner out in front and Scaroni with a three-second lead over Schar.

A lead group of four in the women’s elite race also quickly established itself – including runners Hassan, Assefa and Jepkosgei.

More kick-offs – Elite Women’s race begins

The elite women’s race has now begun – featuring familiar names like Olympic champion Sifan Hassan and European medallist and Eilish McColgan.

World record holder Ruth Chepngetich and the reigning champion Peres Jepchirchir had to withdraw two weeks before the race.

But who knows, maybe one of the underdogs could take the title. Who are you rooting for?

What’s the route?

Runners will pass many familiar sites in the capital like Big Ben, Tower Bridge and Buckingham Palace.

Participants start in Blackheath – the idea is they then go past the Cutty Sark, over Tower Bridge, and through Canary Wharf, before finishing on The Mall in front of Buckingham Palace.

Heartfelt causes

Two fathers whose daughters were murdered in the Southport attack will be taking part in the Marathon and have said their girls will be with them in spirit when they run.

Mr Stancombe and Mr Aguiar are raising money for projects set up in memory of their daughters and will run the 26.2-mile length.

Athlete Paula Radcliffe’s daughter, who was diagnosed with cancer five years ago aged just 13, is also going to be running.

What were some of the hot topics leading up to the race…

The Supreme Court’s ruling that transgender women are not legally women has managed to find its way into the politics of the marathon.

Race Director Hugh Brasher, whose father Chris co-founded the marathon in 1981, confirmed that those taking part in the mass marathon event would be allowed to self identify as male, female or non-binary.

But, notably – transgender women are not eligible to enter the elite, championship or good-for-age female races, as per rules set by World Athletics.

How can I watch it?

If you’re in the UK, you will be able to watch the London Marathon live on the BBC – extensive television coverage and online streaming is also available via BBC iPlayer and the BBC Sport website.

What time does it actually start?

The first races are due to start before 9am – check the timings below to make sure you know when your favourite is kicking off

8.50am – Elite wheelchair men’s and women’s races.

9.05am – Elite women’s race.

9.35am – Elite men’s race followed by mass start.

Getting pumped and ready…

With some races due to start in less than half an hour, participants are already getting in the spirit and geared up for their 26.2-mile run.

Pictures show them warming up in London parks ahead of the competition.

In 2024, the elite men’s and women’s races and men’s and women’s wheelchair races had a total prize pot of £243,000, with the winners receiving £44,000 each. This year, the prize money is the same.

So, is your favourite celebrity running?

A number of celebrities have annnounced they will be partaking in this year’s Marathon – some of them fitness fanatics, others slightly new to the game.

They range from singer Alexandra Burke to comedian Romesh Ranganathan.

A record number of people applied to run, with more than 840,000 applications received.

With celebrities backing charities like Teenage Cancer Trust and Diabetes UK, the money raised is likely to be substantial.

See the full list running here.

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London Marathon 2025 LIVE: Start time, celebrity runners, route, results, latest weather updates and how to watch