What is the London Marathon 2025 route? Road closures and best places to watch
THE LONDON Marathon is one of the most exciting sporting events of the year.
Spectators will get the chance to watch their loved ones take on the mammoth run this year, though the huge race will mean some major roads will have to close.
The London Marathon route
Scheduled to take place on April 27, 2025, the London Marathon will follow a historic route.
It begins at Greenwich Park, which has stunning, panoramic views of both Canary Wharf and the City of London.
Then, runners will follow the river as they pass through Greenwich, Bermondsey and Southwark.
The crowds normally begin to thin at this point, though runners can look forward to the run staying (mostly) flat.
Although not quite as flat as Berlin or Chicago, the London Marathon is one of the most level in the world.
By this point, runners will have passed the Cutty Sark as well as Surrey Quays.
Next, participants will cross the iconic Tower Bridge before heading towards the Isle of Dogs – home to the Canary Wharf.
In their final stretch, runners will pass by the Rainbow Row in Limehouse which is where several LGBT celebrities will be waiting with live music.
Next, they will pass through Wapping (which The Sun called home from 1986 until 2014).
They will continue to follow the North Bank of the Thames, passing St Paul’s and the City of London’s iconic skyscrapers.
Across the river, runners will be able to see the London Eye on the Southbank and Big Ben in the distance.
The Houses of Parliament are extremely close to the finish line, so spotting Big Ben means that the gruelling run is nearly over.
Finally, participants will head to the finish line in St James’ Park, which is next to the historic Buckingham Palace.
Participants can be tracked by their loved ones on the official London Marathon app, which is free to download.
During the run, they will pass by Buxton water stations as well as Lucozade stations which will give them a boost.
Massive road closures
London Marathon Events have confirmed that several major roads will be shutting down in order to make the route more accessible for runners.
Major streets in Canary Wharf, including Montgomery Street, Water Street and Charter Street, will be shutting entirely.
The Cutty Sark DLR station will be entry only throughout the day and, while the Greenwich Foot Tunnel will be open, there are major delays expected.
All roads on the Isle of Dogs will close from 8am until 8.30pm.
The Highway in Wapping will be closed to pedestrians while it is being used by runners, though it will reopen periodically throughout the day.
Westminster will be faced with a wave of closures, including The Mall and Marlborough Road which will both shut on April 24, 2025, and will reopen at 6pm on April 28.
Spur Road, Constitution Hill, Horse Guards Road and Birdcage Walk (East) will close a day later and will reopen on April 28 at 6am.
Birdcage Walk (West) will close on April 26, but will reopen on April 28.
Finally, residents of the Rotherhite Peninsula will be able to exit the area while the run takes place.
However, Hawkstone Road, Lower Road, Surrey Quays Road, Needleman Street, Poolmans Street and Timber Pond Road will all close on April 26.
Bacon’s College will keep its car park open for residents, though.
The best places to watch
You can watch your runner head off at Greenwich Park, though this is likely to be extremely busy.
Similarly, you can watch them finish at St James’ Park but this will also be extremely busy.
The Isle of Dogs, Mudchute or Deptford are expected to be the quietest places to watch which means you’ll be more likely to spot your runner.
The halfway point at Tower Bridge is also a great place to spot your runner.
Taking part in the Marathon
People looking to sign up to the London Marathon 2026 will need to sign up to the ballot on the event’s website.
The option to sign up normally becomes available one day before the event kicks off, meaning it will open on April 26 this year – before closing on May 2.
You can also apply for a charity place on the run.
Several celebrities have confirmed that they will be running the London Marathon 2025, including Chelsea legend John Terry and TV personality Joel Dommett.
Joe Sugg and Joe Wicks will be joining them, alongside Romesh Ranganathan, Kitty Scott-Claus and Spencer Matthews.
Each participant, even the celebrities, will have to run 26.2 miles which is a tradition dating back to 776 BC.