London marathon 2024: Start time, route and road closures as 50,000 runners take to city's streets

The London Marathon returns this week, with the 44th edition of the capitals most popular race taking place on Sunday. 

Last year's race brought out record-breaking numbers, with 48,000 runners featuring in the race, the biggest ever number of participants, according to event organisers.

However this year's marathon is expected to be even bigger than last year. 

50,000 people are expected to take to the streets of London this weekend for the 26.2 mile long race, with record crowds also expected to turn up to show their support for the runners.

Here is everything you need to know about the 2024 London Marathon including, start time, route, where to watch and road closures. 

When is the 2024 London Marathon? 

This year's 44th edition of the race will take place this Sunday, April 21. 

Elite wheelchair athletes will begin their race at 8:50am, followed by the elite women at 9am, with the last elite group, the elite men set to get underway at 9:40 am.

For the rest of the pack, all the other participants, it will be a staggered start, beginning from 10am to 11:30am. 

What is the London Marathon route? 

The start of the race will be located between Greenwich and Blackheath.

Although there are different checkpoints and the amateur participants have a staggered race start.

The beginning of the race tend to be the busiest and most chaotic part of the 26.2mile long race.

The runners will then make their way past the iconic Cutty Sark before crossing Tower Bridge, through the tower blocks of Canary Wharf.

Before heading back through the city and along Victoria embankment by the Palace of West Minister.

From there they will embark on the final stretch of the race, finishing up at The Mall in front of Buckingham Palace. 

Start line locations 

There are three different start lines, each colour-coded to mark the runners expected finish times (red, green or blue).

The Red start is located at Southern Greenwich Park on Charlton Way, the Green start begins at St John's Park, with the blue start line being found on Shooter's Hill Road.  

Where can I watch the marathon?

Whether you would prefer to watch London's longest and biggest race in person or on your TV screen at home. 

Here are the best spots to watch the 26.2mile long race. 

If your looking for a viewing spot with a view of not just the race runners, here are the London landmarks which can be spotted on route.

Spectator locations with a view: 

• Mile 6: Cutty Sark
• Mile 12: Tower Bridge  
• Mile 18: Canary Wharf  
• Mile 22: The Tower of London  
• Mile 25: The London Eye  
• Mile 25: Big Ben  
• Mile 26: Buckingham Palace 

Other good spectator locations:

• Highway (see runners go past twice)  
• Tower Bridge (Halfway mark)

Good location for spectators with disabilities:

• Cutty Sark
• Canary Wharf
• Rainbow Row
• Tower Hill 
• Victoria Embankment 

The full marathon will also be available to watch on your TV at home, with BBC broadcasting the full race.

BBC's coverage of the race will begin at 8:30am until 2pm on BCC One before being transferred onto BBC Two, who will continue the coverage from 2pm to 3pm, with highlights of all the race action at 6pm.  

Road Closures