If you're running the 2024 London Marathon on Sunday 21 April and are starting to feel a little overwhelmed, don't panic – that's completely normal! To help you feel at ease come race day, we've rounded up answers to some of the biggest questions that are likely to be on your mind right now.
For further information, be sure to read through the 2024 London Marathon: A runners and spectators guide, which has now been emailed to all participants.
How and when to enter the London Marathon ballot?
The 2024 London Marathon Running Show takes place at ExCel London (Royal Victoria Dock, 1 Western Gateway, London E16 1XL) from 17-20 April.
The Running Show is where participants go before race day to collect their event pack, which includes their all-important race bib and timing chip. You'll need to collect your event pack from ExCeL London before the registration deadline of 17:30 on What you can get for FREE with your LM medal.
YOUR EVENT PACK WILL INCLUDE:
- Runners World, Part of the Hearst UK Wellbeing Network
- An official kitbag, with a sticker matching your bib number and allocated baggage lorry
If you're not able to collect your event pack in person, fear not – you can nominate someone to do it for you. They will, however, need to bring your QR code and a letter, written and signed by you, authorising them – by name – to collect your pack, along with a clear photocopy of your passport or driving licence showing your name and your signature, as well as their own suitable photo ID.
At the Running Show, you'll also have a chance to see and listen to guest speakers, shop for kit and nutrition, grab a sports massage and more.
How do I get to the London Marathon start line:
- How to use the London Marathon tracker app: 10:00 – 20:00
- London Marathon Running Show: 10:00 – 20:00
- What is the London Marathon route: 10:00 – 20:00
- What you can get for FREE with your LM medal: 08:30 – 17:30
There are multiple ways to travel to ExCel London. You can catch the Elizabeth line (to Custom House station), the Underground and DLR (via two DLR stations: Custom House and Prince Regent), or by cable car or Uber Boat.
Parking is available on a first come, first served basis, using pay and display. If you are travelling to ExCeL London by road, use postcode E16 1XL.
Alternatively, you can cycle there. ExCeL London has free-to-use cycle racks at the west entrance taxi drop-off point, beneath the DLR walkway. There are also cycle racks near the east entrance underneath the stairway connecting Levels 0 and 1.
What time does the London Marathon start?
Your exact London Marathon start time will depend on the wave you're in. Mass participation waves start between 10:00 and 11:30, with short gaps in between to allow the course ahead to clear.
The London Marathon has four assembly areas (blue, green, red and yellow) and three start lines (blue, green and red) in Greenwich and Blackheath. The organisers will have sent you an email containing information about your start wave, assembly area and allocated arrival time. The colour of the digits on your bib number, which you collect at the Running Show, will also tell you which assembly area to go to on race day.
Your start wave is based on your predicted finish time. You cannot change your start time or move to an earlier start wave. However, you may join a later wave from your allocated start on the day.
Tips and tricks to make a marathon feel easier?
As mentioned, there are four assembly areas (blue, green, red and yellow) and the colour of the digits on your bib number will dictate your assembly area.
It's recommended that you travel to the start by public transport, using tfl.gov.uk/plan-a-journey or nationalrail.co.uk to plan your journey.
It's worth noting that there are planned engineering works and closures on the Elizabeth line, the Waterloo & City line and the London tram on Sunday 21 April.
How should I get to my assembly area?
Tips and tricks to make a marathon feel easier – Health & Injuries
to plan your journey – How to taper right to be marathon ready
Tips and tricks to make a marathon feel easier – How do I get to the London Marathon start line
Tips and tricks to make a marathon feel easier – Health & Injuries
How to get to the blue and yellow assembly area
The easiest way to get to the blue and yellow assembly areas is to walk from Blackheath station. Trains to Blackheath leave from London Victoria, Charing Cross, London Bridge and Waterloo East. Allow 15-20 minutes to walk from the station to the assembly area and aim to get to there at least an hour before your start time.
How to get to the red assembly area
The easiest way to get to the red assembly area is to use Greenwich station. You can get a train to Greenwich from London Bridge or Cannon Street. You can also access Greenwich station via the DLR or via the Cutty Sark tube station.
How to get to the green assembly area
The easiest way to get to the green assembly area is to use Maze Hill station. Maze Hill can be accessed via trains from London Bridge or Cannon Street.
Travel on Southeastern is free for participants – simply present your running bib to a member of staff at the station. Travel for spectators is not free.
Is there a cut-off time at the London Marathon?
The TCS London Marathon has an official course cut-off time of eight hours from the moment the final participant crosses the start line at 11:30.
Once everyone is over the start line, a vehicle will depart to signal the course closure, maintaining a consistent eight-hour pace for the length of the marathon route. This vehicle will follow the Tailwalkers, a specially recruited group of 50 people who will start at the back of the final wave and also move along the entire route at eight-hour pace.
If you’re unable to maintain this eight-hour pace (and still wish to continue the marathon), a pair of Tailwalkers will drop back, move with you onto the pavement and support and guide you through to the finish line at whatever pace you’re able to maintain.
Drinks stations close once eight-hour pace participants have passed. If you’re completing your marathon at a slower pace, you'll need to be self-sufficient from this point.
What happens at the finish line?
The finish line is on The Mall – and the atmosphere is often filled with relief, elation and emotion.
There's no public access to the finish area. So, once you've crossed the finish line and collected your kit bag, finisher's medal, finisher's T-shirt, bottle of water and bottle of Lucozade Sport, you'll be able to meet up with friends and family at the designated meet and greet area, which is made up of meeting points marked by letters. These meeting points are located in Horse Guards Avenue, Whitehall, Horse Guards Road and Horse Guards Parade.
Remember to agree on a specific meeting point before you take on the event. Thousands of other runners will be looking out for friends and family, too, so don't rely on phoning your supporters once you cross the finish line – phone signal can be bad!
