London Marathon 2024: How to get there, nearest Tube stations and road closures

Thousands of people across the UK will take part in the 2024 London Marathon next weekend.

A record number of 50,000 people are set to take part in the 26.2 mile challenge on Sunday April 21.

Runners will take off from Greenwich, and make their way around central London passing some of the city’s most iconic landmarks such as Big Ben, Tower Bridge and The Tower of London before heading to the finish line at Buckingham Palace.

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Where are the start lines?

The course, which has remained largely unchanged since the inaugural event in 1981, initially begins at three separate locations. 

The red start begins in southern Greenwich Park on Charlton Way, the green start is in St John’s Park, and finally, the blue start is on Shooter’s Hill Road.

What are the closest Tube and train stations?

The easiest way to get to the red start is to use Greenwich or Maze Hill stations. 

You can get a train to Maze Hill and Greenwich from London Bridge or Cannon Street

You will be able to access Greenwich station via the DLR, or via Cutty Sark tube station.

The easiest way to get to the green start is to use Maze Hill station. 

The easiest way to get to the blue start is to walk from Blackheath station. 

Trains to Blackheath leave from London Victoria, Charing Cross, London Bridge and Waterloo East.

Participants have free travel on Southeastern train services from London stations to the Start, as well as on the Docklands Light Railway (DLR), London Underground and buses. 

You must present your running number to a member of staff at the station. Travel for spectators is not free.

The DLR is running an enhanced service on the day with trains starting earlier at 5.30am from Tower Gateway and Lewisham and at 7am from Bank and all other DLR routes.

Train strikes

Runners and spectators have been warned to expect travel disruption as train strikes are planned across the weekend of the race.

Aslef will take strike action at LNER on Saturday April 20 and as a result there will be a reduced service between London King’s Cross and Edinburgh Waverley and London King’s Cross and Leeds. 

Aslef members will also take part in an overtime ban on Friday April 19 and Sunday April 21 (Marathon day). 

Runners travelling to London by train should check the National Rail website for updates on their journey.

Road closures