When is the London Marathon 2022? Date, can I still enter, route map, and where to access training plans

After a record-breaking year in 2021, the London Marathon is set to return again in 2022, with thousands set to take part.

Last year, around 40,000 people took part in the event, which is widely regarded as one of the biggest and most popular marathons in the UK.

Places in the marathon are sacred, with more than 350,000 hopeful runners having applied  via a ballot to take part in this year’s race.

So when is the 2022 London Marathon, can you still enter, what is the route, and are there training plans for the lucky runners taking part?

When is the London marathon 2022?

The London marathon in 2022 is set to take place on Sunday, 2 October 2022.

This will be the last year that the marathon takes place in the autumn, with the race set to  revert back to its usual spring time in 2023.

Can I still enter the 2022 race?

Hopeful runners could  enter the 2022 marathon via a ballot, which opened on 2 October and closed on 9 October 2021

Results for this ballot were released to applicants on Monday 14 March 2022.

Despite thousands missing out on the ballot, there is still a chance to still participate in the marathon.

You can still enter via charity places, with most major charities given a set number of places through the Golden and Silver Bond schemes.

The charities allocate these places to runners who agree to raise a minimum amount of money for them.

Due to the demand for places, charities will often select participants based on their  connection with the cause, and will ask how much money a participant can realistically raise.

In order to apply for the marathon via this method, it is best to contact the charity directly.

You can find a full list of charities that are involved with the marathon on the official website.

What is the route?

Since the inaugural London marathon in 1981, the route has remained largely unchanged, and allows runners to take in many of the sights London has to offer. .

The 26.2 mile route begins near Blackheath in Greenwich and finishes on the Mall.

Participants will run through Surrey Quays and Bermondsey, reaching the halfway point as they cross over Tower Bridge.

After this, competitors run east through Wapping and pass Limehouse before heading into Canary Wharf.

The final leg of the race sees  participants  pass by the Tower of London, before the penultimate mile goes along The Embankment, where runners can see the London Eye, Big Ben and Buckingham palace.

A map that lists the route in full can be found on the official marathon website.

What landmarks will I see along the way?

Due to the marathon being in London, runners will see some iconic London landmarks along the way.

These include:

• Cutty Sark
• The Shard
• Tower Bridge
• Canary Wharf
• The London Eye
• Big Ben
• Houses of Parliament
• Buckingham Palace

Where can I access training plans?

If this is your first race, or you’re the proud owner of a finishers’ medal already, having a plan tailored to your needs and training for the marathon is crucial.

The TCS London marathon website has many plans available for you to download from the website. 

The website offers plans for all abilities, including beginner, improver training and  advanced training plans.