London Marathon 2023: When it will take place and start times

The London marathon is set to return to its usual spring slot this weekend after the coronavirus pandemic caused the event to be postponed and rescheduled over the past three years. From 2020 to 2022, the event was moved to the autumn months.

Prior to the switch-up, the event had traditionally been held in the spring months for almost four decades. Just six months on from the capital’s last marathon, runners are set to take to the famous route across the city once again in April.

Those taking part will be joined by the two 2022 winners, Kenyan long-distance runner Amos Kipruto and Ethiopian athlete Yalemzerf Yehualaw who have confirmed they will both be defending their titles.

The 2023 marathon was confirmed to be reverting back to spring last year. The news followed the announcement that the 2022 marathon would be moved for a third time.

Ahead of its return to its usual slot, we explain the London Marathon 2023 date and what we know about when it will kick off.

When will the London Marathon 2023 take place?

The 2023 edition of the London Marathon will take place on Sunday, April 23. This year marks the return of the event to spring.

For the past three years, the event had been postponed to the autumn months amidst the coronavirus pandemic. From 2020 to 2022, the event took place in early October.

Prior to this change, the marathon had been held across the spring months since the inaugural event in 1981. 2020 was the first time the marathon had been held outside of spring in almost 40 years of the event’s history.

All we know about London Marathon 2023 start time

The start times for this year’s festivities have now been confirmed for this weekend’s races. In past years, the marathon has typically had staggered start times, with many races kicking off around 9.30am.

Last year’s event started just before 9am. Both the elite wheelchair men’s and women’s races began at 8.50am, while the elite women’s race started at 9am, which was followed by the elite men, and the mass start at 9.40am.

The 2023 starting times are listed below:

• 8.30am -  Mini London marathon
• 8.50am -  Elite wheelchair races
• 9.00am - Elite women’s race
• 9.30am - Elite men’s race and mass start