The 46th edition of the iconic London Marathon is set to take place on Sunday, April 26, 2026. As one of the most prestigious events in the global running calendar, the race will see approximately 59,000 participants traverse the streets of the UK capital, ranging from elite Olympic athletes to amateur fun runners.
Race Schedule and Start Times
Because the marathon begins in the early morning hours in the UK, viewers in different time zones will need to plan accordingly. The event features several distinct start windows:
| Event Category | UK (BST) | US (ET) | US (PT) | Australia (AEST) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Elite Wheelchair Race | 8:50 a.m. | 3:50 a.m. | 12:50 a.m. | 5:50 p.m. |
| Elite Women | 9:05 a.m. | 4:05 a.m. | 1:05 a.m. | 6:05 p.m. |
| Elite Men & Mass Start | 9:35 a.m. | 4:35 a.m. | 1:35 a.m. | 6:35 p.m. |
Where to Watch Live
Broadcasting rights vary significantly by region, offering free access in the UK while requiring paid subscriptions in North America and Australia.
🇬🇧 In the United Kingdom
Fans in the UK can enjoy free-to-air coverage via the BBC.
– Channels: BBC One (starting at 8:30 a.m. BST) and BBC Two (from 2:00 p.m. BST onwards).
– Streaming: The event will be available to stream for free on BBC iPlayer.
🇺🇸 🇨🇦 In the US and Canada / 🇦🇺 In Australia
Viewers in these regions can access live coverage through FloTrack.
– Coverage is expected to begin as early as 3:00 a.m. ET / 12:00 a.m. PT in North America and 5:00 a.m. AEST in Australia.
What to Expect from the Race
The 2026 marathon promises high drama on the course, which winds past major landmarks such as Tower Bridge and Cutty Sark before concluding on The Mall in front of Buckingham Palace.
The competitive focus will be on the defending champions and potential record-breakers. Following the closely contested races of 2025, Kenya’s Sabastian Sawe and Ethiopia’s Tigst Assefa are the primary favorites to challenge and potentially set new course records.
A Note on Streaming and VPNs
For those traveling internationally, using a Virtual Private Network (VPN) can be a tool to maintain privacy and security, especially when using public Wi-Fi. A VPN encrypts your data and can help prevent internet service providers from throttling your connection during high-bandwidth streaming.
Important Note: While VPNs are legal in many regions, some streaming platforms have strict policies regarding their use to access region-specific content. Always check the terms of service of your provider (such as FloTrack or BBC iPlayer) to ensure compliance with their usage agreements.
Summary: The 2026 London Marathon offers a massive spectacle for both elite athletes and amateur runners, with free coverage available in the UK via the BBC and paid streaming via FloTrack available for international audiences in the US, Canada, and Australia.
