Home › United Kingdom › London
London Marathon has three separate starts: your bib colour decides which one to go to — wrong start means missing the race
The hardest part of the London Marathon isn't the run, but the three hurdles. First, secure a spot (about 1.13 million ballot applicants for 2026). Then, go to the correct start based on your bib color (red/green/blue, all in southeast London Blackheath/Greenwich). Accommodation must balance morning travel to the start and post-race return (start in southeast, finish at The Mall in central London). Source: en.wikipedia.org.
The decision, from above
Ballot is like a lottery, charity is the backup; remember your bib colour so you don't start at the wrong place
Going to the wrong start or arriving late = missing the race, your entry for that year is wasted
- Anchor
- London
- First call
- Three starts, not one: go to the correct start based on your bib colour
Time-sensitive · plan around it
The real challenge of the London Marathon isn't running — it's three gates. ① Entry gate: general entries are via random ballot (officially described as a lottery; the 2026 application set a record of about 1.13 million), with extremely low odds; if you don't get in, the only options are charity fundraising places or running another race — don't assume you can just sign up. ② Start gate: there are three separate starts (Red/Green/Blue), all in southeast London south of the Thames near Blackheath/Greenwich; which one you go to is determined by your bib colour — going to the wrong one means you miss the race (the three routes merge only after about 4.5 km). ③ Cross-city gate: the start is in southeast London, the finish is at The Mall in the city centre — the two points are across the entire city, so 'staying near the finish' ≠ 'close to the start'; on race morning you must take crowded trains to the correct start, with road closures in the area, so leave extremely early, and choose accommodation balancing both the morning journey to the start and the post-race return. Conclusion: first secure your entry (ballot or charity), remember your start based on bib colour, choose accommodation weighing 'easy morning access to the southeast start' against 'getting back after the race', and go to ExCeL the day before to pick up your bib.
Three gates: entry (ballot/charity) + start (three locations by bib colour) + cross-city (start and finish at opposite ends, requiring separate planning for accommodation and morning commute); pick up bib at ExCeL before race day.
Three starts, not one: go to the correct start based on your bib colour
The London Marathon mass-participation event has three separate starts, all around Blackheath/Greenwich south of the Thames: the Red start is on the south side of Greenwich Park (Charlton Way), the Green start is at St John's Park, and the Blue start is on Shooter's Hill Road; the three routes merge around the 4.5 km mark near Woolwich. (Wikipedia)
Your starting point is determined by the color of your bib: red, green, or blue printed on the bib corresponds to a specific start area; going to the wrong color means you'll miss your check-in and wave. (Wikipedia)
How to get an entry: ballot is primary, charity and international places are backup
Entry fee after winning the ballot: approximately £49.99 for UK runners, approximately £225 for international runners (including international travel carbon offset); if you don't get a place, alternatives include applying for a charity entry (fundraise for a charity in exchange for a place) or running another event during the same period. (londonmarathonevents.co.uk)
General entry is mainly through the public ballot, which the organizers state is completely random, like a lottery; the number of applicants is extremely high — for 2026, a record of around 1.13 million applied (compared to about 840,000 for 2025). (londonmarathonevents.co.uk)
The London Marathon is one of the World Marathon Majors events (completing all six earns the 'Six Star' medal), which is why it is so hard to get a place and why international registration is so popular. (Wikipedia)
| Entry route | Form | Difficulty / odds | Who it's for | Cost (guide) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Public ballotOfficial random draw CheapestRandom For the lowest-cost official place: enter the ballot (free to apply, pay only if you get in) — but line up a backup, don't just wait on the draw | Those willing to gamble and plan a year ahead | A completely random draw; a record ~1.13M applied for 2026 — odds are very low | If you get in: £49.99 UK / £225 intl | |
| Charity placeFundraise for a place GuaranteedFundraising | Those who missed the ballot and will fundraise | Commit to raise a set amount for a charity and you get a place — the reliable fallback after a ballot rejection | Charity's fundraising target | |
| International / tour placeOverseas allotment or package GuaranteedPricier | Overseas runners who want a sure place and accept a premium | Authorised tour operators' overseas places or entry-inclusive packages — certain, but more expensive | Package price (higher) | |
| Run another racee.g. another marathon nearby Fallback | Those set on running this year but shut out of London | If you truly miss out, switch to another race (organisers also suggest alternatives) | By race |
Where to stay: start is in southeast London, finish is in the city centre — don't pick the wrong area
The course follows the Thames: starting from Blackheath/Greenwich, about 10 km past the Cutty Sark in Greenwich, crossing Tower Bridge at the halfway point, then passing Canary Wharf, the Tower of London, Embankment, and finishing on The Mall. (tcslondonmarathon.com)
The start is in southeast London (Blackheath/Greenwich), and the finish is at The Mall in central London (near Buckingham Palace and St. James's Palace); the start and finish are at opposite ends of the city, so when choosing accommodation, you need to consider both 'how to get to the southeast start in the morning' and 'how to get back to your accommodation after the race'. (Wikipedia)
| Which side | Commute profile | Morning to the start | Who it's for | Post-race return |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Start side (SE London)Blackheath/Greenwich Calmest morning The morning fear is missing the start: staying start-side (Blackheath/Greenwich) removes the biggest risk; the return from The Mall is longer but you're done by then | Runners who most want to reach the start on time | Walk or a couple of train stops to the start — the least stressful morning | Return from the central finish afterwards | Search London hotels → |
| Finish side (central)The Mall/Westminster Closest afterSightseeing | Those who value collapsing near the finish and sightseeing | A few steps back to your room after the race — but you must cross the city to the SE start in the morning, with packed trains and road closures | Leave earlier in the morning for the start | Search London hotels → |
| Along the route / middlee.g. Canary Wharf/Greenwich Compromise | Those wanting a balance, OK with one leg each way | Between start and finish — neither is far, but both need a leg of transport | A leg of transport both ways | Search London hotels → |
Everything you'll book
Which side to stay
Live price-comparison map by Stay22; we may earn a commission at no cost to you.
FAQ
How low are the odds of winning the London Marathon ballot?
Approximately 1.13 million people applied for the 2026 ballot; the process is described as completely random, with very low odds. Alternatives if not drawn include charity fundraising places or switching to another race. Source: londonmarathonevents.co.uk.
How many starting points does the London Marathon have, and how do I know which one to go to?
There are three separate starting points (Red/Green/Blue), all located in the Blackheath/Greenwich area of southeast London. Your bib color determines which one you go to; going to the wrong one means missing the start (the three courses merge after about 4.5 km). Source: en.wikipedia.org.
The London Marathon start and finish are not together; how should I choose accommodation?
The start is in southeast London (Blackheath/Greenwich), while the finish is at The Mall in central London. Staying near the finish does not mean you are close to the start; you need to balance the morning journey (relying on crowded trains) with the return trip after the race. It is recommended to plan accommodation based on your bib color. Source: en.wikipedia.org.
Stay ahead of the window
Get an alert for your exact date.
Booking-window + conditions alerts for what you're deciding. Unsubscribe anytime.
Some links are affiliate links; we may earn a commission at no cost to you.