London - Emotional.
/April 27th 2025 - 4h03/
/Elevation 122m - Temperature 20℃
/Access via the ballot in April or charity bib. "Good for age" for UK resident.
/Sponsor: New Balance
/56640 finishers
"This marathon was a fight - it was hot very quickly, crowded, and I fell badly at km 10 ."
I was still at New York airport after the marathon when my friend Stan who ran it too told me: "I found some spots left to London with Sports Tours International". A few minute later, we received the confirmation e-mail. Everything was booked and we had a new challenge.
THE EXPO
London Marathon expo is a big part of the experience. Its official name is the TCS London Marathon Running Show. It's much more than bib collection. There are lots of running brands, official New Balance London Marathon merchandise, nutrition products, shoes/accessories, photo opportunities and a stage with elite athletes and running experts. I'd give yourself 1½–2 hours if you actually want to enjoy it.
THE COURSE
London is a point-to-point course, starting in southeast London and finishing right in central London:
Greenwich/Blackheath → Cutty Sark → Rotherhithe → Tower Bridge → Canary Wharf → Tower Hill → Embankment → Westminster → Buckingham Palace → The Mall.
There are three separate starting areas, which eventually merge before mile 3 in Woolwich.
The route is pretty flat, sometimes a bit too crowded, and that's how I crashed on the floor around km10. Trying to pass between two guys, I felt squeezed and crashed on the road, scratching badly my chin, shoulder and knee. How was that even possible? I stood up and continued, ignoring the blood running in my white socks. I felt like a super-hero.
The final section is superb. You come back through Tower Hill, then run along the Thames on Victoria Embankment. Crowds become enormous again. You eventually see Big Ben and the Houses of Parliament. You turn at Parliament Square.
Then comes Birdcage Walk alongside St James's Park. At this point there is roughly 1 km remaining. And then... Buckingham Palace 👑
You reach Buckingham Palace, turn right and The Mall is directly in front of you.
That last ~350 m with Buckingham Palace behind you and the finish gantry ahead is arguably one of the most beautiful marathon finishes in the world. The official course description calls it the race's world-famous finish.
THE WEATHER
2025 was a warm edition. We had warnings from the organisation, extra water bottles, showers installed and cool water sponges offered. We all knew it was not a PB day. The morning started beautifully for running — around 10–12°C — but temperatures rose quickly to 21-22°C.
THE ATMOSPHERE
The crowds are phenomal, specially from mid-course. Around 20-21km, you turn toward Tower Bridge and suddenly see it in front of you. You're almost at halfway, the bridge is packed with runners and spectators, and the noise is tremendous. The official course guide describes Tower Bridge as potentially the loudest part of the entire course. Some runners are stopping for a photo, some are crying. I personnally got emotional and transported by the crowd. Definitely one of the best moments of my running life.
The finish by Buckingham Palace is absolutely insane too.
WHERE TO STAY
This is where London is completely different from NYC. Do NOT choose your hotel simply because it's near the start. The race starts around Blackheath/Greenwich in southeast London, but finishes on The Mall, right beside Buckingham Palace.
After 42.2 km, I'd much rather make the morning journey to Greenwich and have a short journey after finishing. Westminster / Trafalgar Square is the sweet spot. You're extremely close to the finish, surrounded by restaurants and central London, and transport connections are excellent.
WANT TO SEE MORE?
Check at my Instagram video for a live experience!
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