The London Marathon is among the most well-known running competitions. For many runners, the race is on their bucket list. Amateur runners, elite athletes, and spectators from all across the UK and the world come to watch. As a longstanding tradition, this marathon is held every April to mark the beginning of spring.
What date is the 2025 London Marathon?
The official London Marathon 2025 date is 27 April 2025.
What is the route of the London Marathon?
Participants will run the 26.2-mile course across London in the London Marathon 2025. The event begins at Blackheath in Greenwich and takes participants through many localities. Participants will pass famous sites along the route, such as the historic 19th-century ship known as the Cutty Sark. The race then crosses the famous Tower Bridge. Along the way, runners will pass the stunning Houses of Parliament and the London Eye with speed. The marathon will end in The Mall, where the finish line is set against the backdrop of Buckingham Palace.
How to Register for the London Marathon 2025?
Securing your spot in the London Marathon is not as easy as it might seem. Here are the main ways you can register for the event.
1) Ballot Entry
The 2025 public ballot has already closed. The deadline was April 26, 2024. If you have already applied, pay attention to your mail since those who are accepted will receive notices.
Getting a spot on the London Marathon ballot 2025 is not as easy as you may think. Some runners keep trying and never manage to land a spot. As the number of candidates rises, the competition just gets fiercer.
The race has about 40,000 spaces in total, though the organizers do not disclose how many spots are given out via the ballot. The day before the current year election, the ballot for the following year goes up for a few weeks.
2) Charity Entry
Participants are assured spots if they commit to raising a certain amount of money for a cause. This is how many runners enter the marathon, with well-known charities like Cancer Research UK and the British Heart Foundation.
You can enter the marathon through a charity spot if you missed out on the ballot or if you have a cause you would like to support. The London Marathon website has a list of charities with guaranteed spots. It is important to keep in mind that you will need to raise a significant amount of money. Most organizations will ask you to earn two thousand pounds or more if they grant you a spot. You can still run for a charity even if you already have a ticket to the marathon.
3) Good For Age Entry
A Good For Age spot can be yours if you have a qualifying time from a recent marathon. To do this, you must reach a qualifying time that is determined by your gender and age range. If there are more Good for Age runners than spots available, the quickest runners will be given preference. This means that not every person who arrives before the qualifying time will be admitted. For further information, you can visit the official website of the marathon.
4) International Entry
Some overseas tour operators provide packages that include a marathon ticket if you live outside of the UK. These packages are an excellent opportunity to take part in the London Marathon 2025 while on vacation in London.
You must pay the £ 225 entrance fee to guarantee your spot in the 2025 TCS London Marathon if you win the international ballot. Please be aware that to offset CO2 emissions from participant travel, £ 26 of this admission charge will be invested in approved initiatives.
The Popular Spectator Spots
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The Cutty Sark – Mile 6 – 9.5km
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Tower Bridge – Mile 12 – 19km
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St James Park – Mile 26 – 41.5km
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The Mall, Opposite Buckingham Palace – Mile 26 – 41.5km
The Nearest Train Stations to each of the Popular Spectator Spots
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The Cutty Sark – Greenwich Station
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Tower Bridge – London Bridge and Fenchurch Street National Rail stations, or Tower Gateway DLR Station
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St James Park – Newcastle Central Station and Monument Metro Station
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The Mall – London Victoria Station
Most Important Advice for London Marathon Runners
1) Avoid using any running-related equipment or consumables for the first time on race day.
2) Pay attention to the blue line on the roadway. It is the precisely calculated distance for the marathon and indicates the most direct race line for the marathon.
3) If there are significant occasions, such as a wedding or holiday, that are included in your 16-week training schedule. Your long run day might be moved to a weekday, or you could extend that training schedule by one week.
4) Verify that the strategy you ultimately decide on begins from a position of comfort. Choose a long-run plan that begins with a distance of 10K or less if, for example, you are currently running twice a week and recently finished your first 5K.
5) The more kilometers you train and cover each week, the more food you will require to keep them going. You do not need to waste any vital energy right now.
6) You must have some faith in the hours of labor you have invested and in your goal.
7) Alcohol can affect sleep and training, which could throw your marathon preparations for a loop. Ideally, you should take a full week off the week before the marathon and avoid having a large night before your long runs.
8) Make time for sleep since it is an essential component of your training. Sleep and rest are equally as important as the number of miles you run. Your body repairs itself and becomes stronger as you sleep.
9) Ascertain that you have a backup plan. Being anxious about arriving late on the day is the last thing you want to be concerned about.
10) It is common to feel anxious the night before a marathon. Avoid being stressed or nervous.
What To Bring with You On Race Day
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Your running vest
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Shorts
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Race number pinned onto your shirt
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Underwear
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Running shoes
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Socks
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Vaseline to reduce chafing
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Sunscreen
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Carbs and Snacks
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Accessories such as your sunglasses, running watch, and cap
Advice for Supporters
1) Be sure that you are aware of the whereabouts of any friends or relatives who may wish to provide their support. It may be more difficult to detect them while you are jogging, while they will be able to track you on the app and put themselves in the optimum spots to see you passing.
2) Since missing your cheer team is heartbreaking, be sure you have prearranged zones or mile markers where they may stand and wave.
3) If they will be cheering you at the end, confirm that you have a new agreed-upon location.
How much does it Cost to Cast a Ballot?
The London Marathon 2025 entry price is £ 69.99 for entrants from the UK. £ 67 for those who belong to a running club. If you are unsuccessful in the first ballot, you will be automatically entered into a second ballot, and you can choose to give this fee to the London Marathon Foundation. Your entry cost will be lowered to £ 49.99 if you win this second ballot. If your donation is unsuccessful, you will be rewarded with a £ 60 training top.
If you are an international entrant, the admission fee will be £ 146, which also includes a £ 20 carbon offset fee.
Note
The minimum age for someone who can enter the London Marathon must be 18 years on the day of the race.
Image Credits: tcslondonmarathon.com