The London Marathon is one of the highlights of the racing calendar for runners and spectators alike, and this year’s event is the first to take place in spring since 2019. Tens of thousands of runners who have been marathon training all winter will be making their way around the London Marathon route cheered on by the crowds of spectators that line the course.
If you’re running the race, you have no doubt had the London Marathon 2023 date etched into your mind for months. But for those planning to go and watch the race, all the info you need to spot your runner is below. First, a top tip—download the London Marathon tracker app to make following your runner as easy as possible.
What Is The London Marathon 2023 Date?
The London Marathon takes place on Sunday 23rd April in 2023. The race has moved back to its traditional spring berth after a couple of years when it took place in October, largely because of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Where Will The London Marathon 2023 Start?
The London Marathon starts in Greenwich Park, with the first wave of mass-participation runners heading off at 9.40am. The route begins with runners heading east into Woolwich, which is a great first spot to see your runner before heading into the city center to see them again later in the race.
What Are The Best Spots For Spectators?
The best places to watch the London Marathon are on Tower Bridge, on the Mall, and by the Cutty Sark, all of which are hot spots for the most raucous spectators and have famously good atmospheres.
If you’d like a more sedate spot to watch the race, the part of the route around Canary Wharf and the Isle of Dogs is usually quieter than other sections. Another good place to watch is the 1.5-mile section between Tower Bridge and Limehouse, because runners go both ways along the route here, so you can see them twice.
The area around Westminster will be unusually busy this year because of The Big One, a four-day series of actions led by Extinction Rebellion and supported by organizations including Greenpeace and Friends of the Earth.
Can You Watch The London Marathon Online?
The BBC has been broadcasting the London Marathon live since the first race in 1981, and the event will be broadcast live on TV and online on BBC iPlayer. General coverage of the mass-participation race will follow once the incredible field of elite runners have finished, which this year include Sir Mo Farah and Eilish McColgan along with marathon world record holder Brigid Kosgei and Olympic champion Peres Jepchirchir.
Online you will also be able to access the footage of the finish line so you can watch your runner charge/stagger/crawl over it again and again.
