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London Marathon 2026: Key Numbers Behind the Biggest Marathon in the World
The London Marathon has always held a special place in the running world. A legendary race, one of the pillars of the World Marathon Majors, capable of bringing together the best marathon runners on the planet, tens of thousands of amateurs, runners in costumes, para-athletes, and also a huge wave of charity runners competing for causes close to their hearts. In London, the marathon goes far beyond sport. It is a giant public celebration, a day when the entire city seems to move to the rhythm of 42.195 kilometers. And this 46th edition may have marked a turning point in its history. London became the biggest marathon in the world again with 59,830 finishers, broke new fundraising records for charities… but most importantly, the race pushed the sport into another dimension with two men running under two hours for the first time in history and a new women’s world record by Tigst Assefa. Yes, the 2026 London Marathon will be remembered as a historic edition.
| 1:59:30: The time we had all dreamed of seeing one day
It is now official: Sabastian Sawe is the first man in history to run an official marathon under two hours. A mind-blowing performance achieved in London under ideal conditions. The Kenyan shattered Kelvin Kiptum’s previous world record (2:00:35) with a time of 1:59:30. That represents an average pace of… 2:50/km over 42.195 km.
A superhuman speed when you realize he maintained that pace for two hours.
The most impressive part? Sawe never looked like he was suffering. The further the race progressed, the more he seemed to accelerate. In only his fourth marathon, he completely dominated the ultimate distance.
| 59:01: A completely insane second half marathon
This is often the key to truly great marathons: running the second half faster than the first. The famous negative split. But what Sawe produced went beyond imagination. After reaching halfway in 1:00:29, he covered the second half in 59:01. A monstrous marathon negative split.
And not on just any course. London remains a demanding marathon with multiple changes of rhythm and several turns. More importantly, the first half features many downhill sections, making it more runnable than the second half.
Sawe executed his race plan perfectly. Patient through the opening half, always well positioned, then absolutely surgical when it was time to attack. A masterclass in race execution.
| 27:36 between kilometer 30 and kilometer 40
This was probably where the race changed completely. Between kilometer 30 and kilometer 40, Sabastian Sawe ran a 10K in 27:36. Yes, during the hardest section of a marathon, where legs are usually beginning to fail.
Over that segment, he averaged 2:46/km. Ridiculous.At that point, Yomif Kejelcha was still on his shoulder while Jacob Kiplimo had begun to lose contact.
Even crazier: Sawe covered the final 2.195 km at roughly 2:40/km pace. Carried by adrenaline, crowd support and the dream waiting for him at the finish line.
| 1:59:41: Yomif Kejelcha’s first marathon
The story would already have been huge with just one man under two hours. But seeing Yomif Kejelcha break that barrier as well in his very first marathon is almost even more impressive.Yes, the Ethiopian finished only 11 seconds behind in 1:59:41, but for a marathon debut, that performance is simply stratospheric.
After following Sawe for almost the entire race, the former track specialist and former half-marathon world record holder delivered one of the most extraordinary debuts in marathon history.
And there is one completely crazy detail: he became the only marathon runner in history never to have run a marathon slower than two hours. Classy.
| 3 men under the former world record
As if all that was not enough, Jacob Kiplimo completed the podium in 2:00:28. He also finished faster than Kelvin Kiptum’s previous world record. So three men ran faster than the former world record on the same day. Historic.
The Ugandan phenomenon confirmed his exceptional adaptation to the marathon after his world cross-country title a few months earlier and his 2025 Chicago Marathon victory. He also managed the distance brilliantly with a negative split after passing halfway in 1:00:29.
| 2:15:41: Tigst Assefa improves her world record again
London also delivered a historic show in the women’s race. Tigst Assefa won in 2:15:41 and improved her own women-only world record by nine seconds. Without male pacers and without men around the leaders, maintaining such a fast pace becomes much more difficult mentally.
For a long time she ran shoulder-to-shoulder with Hellen Obiri and Joyciline Jepkosgei before eventually using her speed in the final kilometers to pull away. The result: three women under 2:16 in the same marathon for the first time ever.
| 59,830 finishers: London becomes the world’s biggest marathon again
The 2026 London Marathon did not only make history among the elites. It also officially became the largest marathon in the world. 59,830 runners crossed the finish line on The Mall. A new world record for finishers, allowing London to take back the crown from New York (59,226 finishers in 2025).
A total of 60,512 runners started the race, meaning the dropout rate remained very low (1.13%). Part of London’s magic comes from its unique charitable and community spirit. Thousands of runners take part to support causes, raise money or fulfill lifelong dreams in an absolutely electric atmosphere.
| 1.1 million applications for bibs
Like everywhere in running right now, demand has become completely insane. For the 2026 edition, the London Marathon received more than 1.1 million applications for race entries. Almost double compared to only two years ago. To meet demand, organizers are currently discussing a possible two-day marathon format beginning in 2027, with one race on Saturday and another on Sunday.
| 32% international runners
The London Marathon attracts the entire world. 32% of finishers came from outside the UK.
After British runners (40,485 finishers), the most represented countries were:
United States (4,547 finishers)
Ireland (1,287)
France (903)
Italy (868)
| 44% women in the field
The feminization of marathon running continues to grow. 44% of participants were women, similar to last year and another sign of the major evolution taking place across global running. London remains one of the most inclusive marathons on the planet.
| 1,900 para-athletes
The 2026 edition was also the most inclusive in London Marathon history. More than 1,900 athletes with disabilities took part. Another reminder that the marathon extends far beyond elite performance and competition.
| 88 years old: the oldest participant
Harry Newton is a London Marathon regular. This year marked his 22nd appearance on the London course. He is proof that physical activity has no age limit and that running remains one of the best ways to stay healthy.
There were 70 years separating him from the youngest runners in the race, Molly Bull-Diamond and Khadija Khalfaoui, who wasted no time before taking on the marathon challenge.
A fantastic achievement for both of them, especially since they already want to tackle even longer distances.
| 800,000 spectators on the streets
The London atmosphere remains unique. Nearly 800,000 spectators lined the course from start to finish. From Greenwich to Tower Bridge, Canary Wharf, Big Ben and The Mall, the entire city lived and breathed the marathon.
An unforgettable day for all 59,830 finishers.
| 4:36:16: average finish time
The average finish time this year was:
Overall: 4:36:16
Men: 4:19:48
Women: 4:57:26
Times were slightly faster than last year thanks to ideal weather conditions and also because runners continue to become better prepared.
| 5.57% of finishers broke 3 hours
Running under three hours remains a huge goal for many runners. At London 2026, 5.57% of finishers achieved it.
Huge congratulations to them.
| £90 million raised for charities
The London Marathon remains the biggest charity event in the running world. Charity runners helped raise more than £90 million. A new record. This is also what makes London so special: thousands of inspiring stories unfold here every year.
| 38 Guinness World Records broken
Finally, London remains the kingdom of costumes and wonderfully ridiculous records. A total of 38 Guinness World Records were broken during the 2026 edition. Marathons run dressed as mythical creatures, helicopters, body parts, trains… Because deep down, London remains the marathon where anything feels possible.
All records can be found on Guinness World Records.
We will remember the 46th edition of the London Marathon for a long time. A race where everything felt surreal: two men under two hours, a new women’s world record, nearly 60,000 finishers and an entire city transformed into one giant celebration of running. London reminded everyone why this marathon occupies such a special place in runners’ hearts: here, historic elite performances exist alongside emotional stories from thousands of everyday runners, world records collide with personal challenges, and every stride seems to carry something bigger than a finishing time.
✔ Find all London Marathon information
Clément LABORIEUX
Journalist
