With its flat course, numerous historic locations to see, and hefty prize purse, the London Marathon attracts all runners, whether elites seeking a win or the everyday enthusiast seeking a PR (and a beautiful tour of the city).
While the London Marathon historically takes place in late April, the 2022 edition takes place on Sunday, October 2. The COVID-19 pandemic forced the 2020 and 2021 races to run in the autumn, and the race organizers kept that trend going through this year. The 2023 London Marathon returns to the spring.
→ Sign up for Runner’s World+ for all the latest marathon news 🏅
More From Runner's World
What else do you need to know about the 2022 London Marathon? Continue reading to find out.
2022 London Marathon Preview
Over 50,000 people are registered to run the London Marathon this year, including the decorated elite athlete fields.
The men’s side sees 32 runners duke it out for a chance at victory. Distance running great Kenenisa Bekele of Ethiopia headlines the field, though he has not been in top form since he ran the second-fastest marathon of all-time at the Berlin Marathon in 2019. Defending champion Sisay Lemma of Ethiopia wants to hold into his crown, but has to hold off charges from two-time Tokyo Marathon winner Birhanu Legese of Ethiopia, and Olympic bronze medalist Bashir Abdi of Belgium. British favorite Mo Farah was originally slated to run, but pulled out on Tuesday, citing a hip injury. Andrew McCann is the only U.S. elite runner.
On the women’s side, two-time London Marathon champion and world record holder Brigid Kosgei of Kenya unfortunately pulled out of the race due to injury. Three women who have run under the 2:18 barrier hope to take her place: Joyciline Jepkosgei of Kenya, who won the London Marathon last year; Yalemzerf Yehualaw of Ethiopia, the former half marathon world record holder; and Ashete Bekere of Ethiopia, who finished third at London last year. Marci Klimek is the sole U.S. elite participant.
The races will go off as follows on October 2:
- 3:50 a.m. EDT – Elite wheelchair start
- 4:00 a.m. EDT – Women’s elite start
- 4:40 a.m. EDT – Men’s elite and general start
Race Date and History
The London Marathon, one of the six World Marathon Majors, is held every year in the spring. It is typically held in April; however, for 2022 it was set for October 2 as a long-term result of the COVID-19 pandemic cancellations from 2020. It will return to the spring in 2023.
Chris Brasher, a former Olympic steeplechase champion and sports journalist, along with Welsh Olympic athlete John Disley founded the race after competing in the New York City Marathon in 1979. Both men had been impressed at the spirit of unity among attendees and were determined to create a similar experience in London.
On March 29, 1981, just two years after the idea was conceived, the first London Marathon took place. Thousands of runners toed the line at the first ever race, with 6,255 finishers. Every year since, the race has continued to increase in size and popularity.
London Marathon Winners and Prize Money
The race recognizes and rewards winners in several categories. This year, there is a total prize purse of $313,000, with $55,000 each for the men’s and women’s winner. Additional prizes will go to athletes that run a certain time or break a course record.
The following are lists of the men’s and women’s London Marathon champions over the past 10 years, highlighted by four-time champion Eliud Kipchoge and three-time champion Mary Keitany.
Men’s Open Division (Past 10 Years)
- 2021: Sisay Lemma (ETH) 2:04:01
- 2020: Shura Kitata (ETH) 2:05:41
- 2019 Eliud Kipchoge (KEN) 2:02:38
- 2018: Eliud Kipchoge (KEN) 2:04:17
- 2017: Daniel Wanjiru (KEN) 2:05:56
- 2016: Eliud Kipchoge (KEN) 2:03:05
- 2015: Eliud Kipchoge (KEN) 2:04:42
- 2014: Wilson Kipsang (KEN) 2:04:29
- 2013: Tsegaye Kebede (ETH) 2:06:04
- 2012: Wilson Kipsang (KEN) 2:04:44
- 2011: Emmanuel Mutai (KEN) 2:04:40
Women’s Open Division
- 2021: Joyciline Jepkosgei (KEN) 2:17:43
- 2020: Brigid Kosgei (KEN) 2:18:58
- 2019: Brigid Kosgei (KEN) 2:18:20
- 2018: Vivian Cheruiyot (KEN) 2:18:31
- 2017: Mary Keitany (KEN) 2:17:01
- 2016: Jemima Sumgong (KEN) 2:22:58
- 2015: Tigist Tufa (ETH) 2:23:22
- 2014: Edna Kiplagat (KEN) 2:20:21
- 2013: Priscah Jeptoo (KEN) 2:20:15
- 2012: Mary Keitany (KEN) 2:18:37
- 2011: Mary Keitany (KEN) 2:19:19
A Brief Look at the Course
The course runs around the River Thames and is known for its mostly flat and fast nature, as well as its tourist-pleasing proximity to many well-known London attractions.
Beginning in Blackheath, the race has three starting points: the “red start” in southern Greenwich Park, the “green start” in St. John’s Park, and the “blue start” on Shooter’s Hill Road. After roughly 2.8 miles, the three routes converge in Woolwich. At the marathon’s halfway point, runners cross over London’s famous Tower Bridge, and the final leg of the race is when the bulk of the sight-seeing truly begins.
The course has runners pass by the stately Tower of London on Tower Hill, and in the last couple of miles, runners are rewarded with a breathtaking view of the London Eye, as well as other iconic sights such as Big Ben and Buckingham Palace. The finish line is located in The Mall alongside St. James’s Palace.
There have been very few changes to the route since the race’s inception. Because of some construction work in 1982, the finishing post was moved from Constitution Hill to Westminster Bridge, where it stayed for 12 years. In 1994, it was moved to The Mall in St. James, where the finish remains to this day. In 2005, two alterations were made: one was a slight re-route at mile 22 to avoid the cobbled area by the Tower of London, and the other was a switch from a clockwise to an anti-clockwise direction around the Isle of Dogs.
Registering for the Race
The London Marathon uses a ballot system for a large portion of entries. About 17,000 runner qualify by winning the ballot. For the 2023 event, the ballot opens on Saturday, October 1.
Runners can opt to register for a charity entry at any time. Many major charities have a certain number of spots in the marathon each year, which they allocate to runners on the terms that they will raise a certain amount of money for the organization.
Additionally, residents of the U.K. who have run the proper qualifying times are able to apply. There are also typically a few entries offered through competitions on the London Marathon social media channels and those of its sponsors and partners.
Elite runners can enter the championship section as long as they hit the time standards listed here.
Charity and Fundraising
The London Marathon holds the Guinness World Record as the largest annual fundraising event on the planet. Since its start in 1981, runners have raised more than $1.1 billion for various charities. A third of all entry places are offered by charitable organizations.
An FAQ for the London Marathon charity program can be found on the race website.
Field Size and Composition
The London Marathon is one of the most popular in the world. The 2019 field was the largest in the race’s history with 42,549 finishers, which would likely have been outdone by the 2020 race if not for COVID-19. A record number of 457,861 people applied to run in 2020.
In 2021, we could see a new record for participants if all 50,000 expected to run make it to the start line.
The current men’s course record, which is now the fourth fastest marathon time in history on a record eligible course, is 2:02:37, set by Eliud Kipchoge in 2019. The women’s course record is 2:15:25, set by Paula Radcliffe in 2003.
The men’s wheelchair course record was set at 1:28:57 by Kurt Fearnley in 2009, and the women’s equivalent was set in 2017 by Manuela Schär with a 1:39:57.
How to Train for the Course
Because the London Marathon course is almost entirely level, hill training is not a huge priority when preparing for this race. As with any marathon, start building up your mileage and endurance three to four months in advance with a combination of long runs, speedwork, and rest days.
