The 2026 London Marathon features elite competitions across various categories. In the elite wheelchair race, Britain’s Eden Rainbow-Cooper encountered a tire puncture prior to the start, allowing her to replace it without penalty. However, she ultimately did not participate. The race began with female competitors on one side of the course and males on the other.
Official starters include Britain’s Mo Farah, a four-time Olympic champion and national marathon record holder, who retired from track events in 2024. He is joined by England’s rugby player Ellie Kildunne, recent winner in the Six Nations match against Wales. They will initiate the elite wheelchair, women’s, and men’s races, plus the general participant wave, launching over 59,000 runners from Blackheath to The Mall.
The event’s popularity has surged, driven by the rise of inclusive running groups, especially among young women. Over 1.1 million applied for entry this year, a 750,000 increase from four years prior. One-third of applicants were aged 18-29, with women dominating the under-30 group. These modern running communities prioritize social aspects, fun, and post-run gatherings over speed.
Jenny Mannion, founder of a women’s running collective started in 2023, attributes this trend to younger generations seeking authentic social experiences post-pandemic, differing from older cohorts.
Following a week of excellent weather, the marathon promises strong performances. In the men’s elite race, Kenya’s Sabastian Sawe aims to retain his title from last year’s 2:02:27 finish. He competes against Uganda’s Jacob Kiplimo, the half-marathon world record holder, and Ethiopia’s Deresa Geleta, who ran 2:03:27 in Seville in 2024, ranking him among the fastest ever.
For the women’s elite, Ethiopia’s Tigst Assefa, who set a women-only world record of 2:15:50 in 2025, is favored to win again due to her steady results. Kenya’s Joyciline Jepkosgei, second last year, seeks to claim the top spot.
In wheelchair events, Switzerland’s Marcel Hug, a three-time Paralympic marathon gold medalist with 42 major marathon victories, could tie the London record with a win today. Switzerland’s Catherine Debrunner, the women’s wheelchair record holder and 2025 champion, targets both the title and a new world record after narrowly missing it last year. She earned five golds at the 2024 Paris Paralympics in multiple distances.
After elite starts, nearly 60,000 participants will tackle the 26.2-mile (42.195 km) route through the city. Share your predictions, questions, or stories about participants via email.
Schedule (BST): Elite men’s and women’s wheelchair at 8:50 a.m., elite women’s at 9:05 a.m., elite men’s and mass start at 9:35 a.m.
