London Marathon 2023: How to watch live and best places to see event

The London Marathon will return to the capital this weekend and if you’re wondering how to watch it in person, we’ve got you covered. The gruelling 26.2-mile race will depart from Blackheath on Sunday, April 23 for the first spring event since 2019 as it was moved to an autumn slot due to the Covid-19 pandemic.

Tens of thousands of people have signed up to take part in the London-based race this year, including many celebrities such as broadcasting veteran Chris Evans, McFly’s Harry Judd and The Crown’s Josh O’Connor. Each year, the mass event begins at 9.30am but runners will need to complete the race in seven hours in order to receive a medal.

The marathon will also return to TV this year for those at home to watch their loved ones and favourite celebrities cross the finish line. But if you fancy catching the event live this year, here’s how you can watch the marathon in person.

London Marathon 2023: How to watch live

The TCS London Marathon website indicates spectators are welcome to watch the race almost anywhere along the 26.2 mile course. However, some areas, including the Cutty Sark and St James’s Park, get very busy on marathon day, while The Highway will enable spectators to see runners pass by twice.

Areas further out of central London, such as Bermondsey and Rotherhithe, are said to be slightly quieter if you don’t want to be right in and among the chaos. The Mall in front of  the iconic Buckingham Palace is the finish line for the 2022 event.

Landmarks to look out for along the course include:

• Mile 6: Cutty Sark
• Mile 12: Tower Bridge
• Mile 18: Canary Wharf skyscraper
• Mile 22: Tower of London
• Mile 25: London Eye (on opposite Embankment)
• Mile 25: Big Ben
• Mile 26: Buckingham Palace