# London Marathon training plan A London Marathon plan for 24–25 April 2027: the flat Thames course, when to start, and a coach that plans each week from the runs you log. Page: https://www.createrunplan.com/london-marathon-training-plan. Race day: Saturday 24 and Sunday 25 April 2027 (London, England). ## The course ### Three starts, one road Runners start from three areas around Blackheath and Greenwich Park. The routes merge in Woolwich after about 4.5 km (2.8 miles), so the first miles can be busy. ### Largely flat The course follows the Thames and climbs about 85 m (280 ft) in total. It is widely seen as one of the fastest marathon courses. ### Landmarks and the loop You pass the Cutty Sark around 10 km and cross Tower Bridge about halfway, then loop through Canary Wharf on the Isle of Dogs before coming back along the Embankment. ### A finish on The Mall The last stretch runs along the Embankment and Birdcage Walk to a finish on The Mall. ## When to start Count back from race day. 2027 is a one-off two-day event, and runners take part in person on one of the two days. | Length | Start by | Suits | | --- | --- | --- | | 12 weeks | Monday 25 January 2027 | You run regularly now | | 16 weeks | Monday 28 December 2026 | A common length for a marathon | | 20 weeks | Monday 30 November 2026 | More room if you run little now | ## What matters for the London Marathon ### Run even, not fast A flat course rewards steady effort. In the later weeks some of your long runs finish at marathon pace, so that effort is familiar by race day. ### Hold back at the start Three starts merge early and the fields are big. Plan the first few kilometres easier than race pace and let the race settle. ### Tell your coach when a week goes wrong In a winter block, weeks go wrong. Skip with a reason or leave it: next week is planned from what you actually ran, never from what you missed. ## Getting a place Most places come from the public ballot, charity places, Good for Age times or an affiliated running club. The organisers publish the current rules. [The organisers' site](https://www.londonmarathonevents.co.uk/london-marathon). ## Week 1 of a sample marathon plan For someone running about 4 h a week now. | Day | Run | Time | | --- | --- | --- | | Monday | Easy run | 30 min | | Tuesday | Hill repeats | 47 min | | Thursday | Easy run + strides | 40 min | | Saturday | Easy run | 35 min | | Sunday | Long run | 90 min | Total: 4 h 2 min. ## Every week to race day A sample marathon plan, not one for this race: a runner’s weeks to race day if every week goes as planned. Yours is planned from your race, your days and what you run now. | Week | Running time | Phase | | --- | --- | --- | | 1 | 4 h 2 min | Build | | 2 | 4 h 24 min | Build | | 3 | 4 h 48 min | Build | | 4 | 5 h 18 min | Build | | 5 | 5 h 18 min | Build | | 6 | 4 h 2 min | Easier | | 7 | 5 h 19 min | Race-specific | | 8 | 5 h 51 min | Race-specific | | 9 | 6 h 19 min | Race-specific | | 10 | 4 h 43 min | Easier | | 11 | 6 h 16 min | Race-specific | | 12 | 6 h 47 min | Race-specific | | 13 | 6 h 58 min | Race-specific | | 14 | 5 h 26 min | Taper | | 15 | 4 h 21 min | Taper | | 16 | 7 h 13 min | Race week | ## Questions before you start ### When should I start training for the London Marathon? For a plan of at least 16 weeks, start by Monday 28 December 2026. 12 weeks (Monday 25 January 2027) suits a runner who already runs regularly, and 20 weeks (Monday 30 November 2026) gives more room if you run little now. A spring race puts most of the plan in the cold and the dark, so choose run times you can keep on a dark morning. When you set your race, your coach checks the date against your running and tells you if it comes too soon. ### What is different about the London Marathon in 2027? It is a one-off two-day event on Saturday 24 and Sunday 25 April 2027. Runners take part in person on one of the two days. Your plan is the same either way: build toward the day you are given. ### Is the London Marathon flat? Largely. The course follows the Thames and climbs about 85 m (280 ft) in total over 42.2 km, so it is one of the faster courses, with turns more than hills. ### How do I get a place in the London Marathon? Through the public ballot, charity places, Good for Age qualifying times or an affiliated running club. Check the organisers' site for the rules for your year. ### What if I miss a run? Skip it with a reason, or just leave it. Missed runs are never made up: next week is planned from what you actually ran. ### What happens after the 14 days? Unless you subscribe, for $9.99 a month or $59.99 a year, your coach stops: no new weeks, logging, check-ins or reminders. You can still see your plan, past weeks and logged runs, and download or delete your data. We never asked for a card, so nothing is charged. ## Other race plans - [Boston Marathon training plan](https://www.createrunplan.com/boston-marathon-training-plan): 19 April 2027. - [Paris Marathon training plan](https://www.createrunplan.com/paris-marathon-training-plan): April 2027. - [Berlin Marathon training plan](https://www.createrunplan.com/berlin-marathon-training-plan): 26 September 2027. - [Chicago Marathon training plan](https://www.createrunplan.com/chicago-marathon-training-plan): 10 October 2027. - [New York City Marathon training plan](https://www.createrunplan.com/new-york-city-marathon-training-plan): 7 November 2027. ## Other plans - [Marathon training plan](https://www.createrunplan.com/marathon-training-plan): 16 weeks. A marathon plan that builds your long run and weekly time from the runs you log, with marathon-pace weeks and a taper before race day. - [Sub-4 hour marathon training plan](https://www.createrunplan.com/sub-4-hour-marathon-training-plan): 16 weeks. Sub-4 means 5:41 per km (9:09 per mile). Your coach plans each week from your current fitness and what you log, with marathon-pace work and a taper. - [12-week half marathon training plan](https://www.createrunplan.com/12-week-half-marathon-training-plan): 12 weeks. Twelve weeks to a half marathon: your coach checks the date fits your running, then plans each week from what you log, with a taper at the end. [All plan guides](https://www.createrunplan.com/examples) ## See your first week in a few questions Choose marathon, set the days you can run and what you run now. Your plan starts from there, and every week is planned from the one before. [Start your 14 free days](https://www.createrunplan.com/start?goal=marathon&days=4): 14 days free, no card, then $9.99 a month or $59.99 a year.