2025 London Marathon: All You Need to Know

The London Marathon is set to return on April 27, 2025, featuring an elite lineup and a significant prize purse for the second consecutive year. This iconic event continues to make headlines, especially with its recent initiative for equal prize distribution among all competitors.

Prize Money Breakdown

The 2024 marathon made history as the first to ensure equal prize money for able-bodied and wheelchair athletes, and the same structure will be in place for 2025. The total prize pot amounts to £243,000 (approximately $308,000), and the award distribution is as follows:

• Winners: $55,000 (£44,000)
• Runners-up: $30,000 (£23,100)
• Third Place: $22,500 (£17,400)

Additional bonuses include:

• $150,000 (£115,900) for finishing under 2:02 (men) and 2:15 (women)
• $125,000 (£96,500) for setting a new world record
• $25,000 (£19,300) for breaking the course record

Race Schedule

The marathon will kick off as follows:

• 8:50 AM: Elite wheelchair races
• 9:05 AM: Elite women’s race
• 9:35 AM: Elite men’s race, followed by the mass start

How to Watch

In the UK, viewers can catch the marathon live on the BBC, with extensive coverage also available online through BBC iPlayer and the BBC Sport website.

Course Overview

The marathon route spans 26.2 miles, largely unchanged since its inception in 1981. The course begins in Greenwich and continues along the Thames past several key landmarks, including:

• Cutty Sark (mile 6)
• Tower Bridge (mile 12)
• London Eye and Big Ben (mile 25)

Runners will finish near Buckingham Palace on The Mall, culminating this scenic and challenging course.

Elite Teams Competing

Both the men’s and women’s elite fields showcase exceptional talent:

Women’s Elite Field

Notable competitors include:

• Sifan Hassan (NED) – PB: 2:13:44
• Tigst Assefa (ETH) – PB: 2:11:53
• Eilish McColgan (GBR) – Making her marathon debut

Men’s Elite Field

Highlights from the men’s field feature:

• Eliud Kipchoge (KEN) – PB: 2:01:09, in pursuit of a fifth victory
• Jacob Kiplimo (UGA) – Making his marathon debut
• Alexander Mutiso (KEN) – PB: 2:03:11

The upcoming marathon not only presents an opportunity for elite athletes to showcase their skills but also stands as a testament to the spirit of inclusive competition in sports.