London Marathon 2025: Full Route, Landmark Highlights, and Major Road Closures Announced

London Marathon 2025: Iconic Course and Landmark Sightings

Mark your calendars and brace for detours: London's world-famous marathon is back this April with an epic 26.2-mile journey stretching from Greenwich Park all the way to the gates of Buckingham Palace. Over 40,000 runners will hit the streets, and the 2025 TCS London Marathon route covers much more than just pavement—it ticks off some of the city’s most breathtaking sights and has runners pounding past architectural legends.

The start is set against the green expanse of Greenwich Park, where adrenaline mixes with nerves at the early miles. By the sixth mile, runners pass the Cutty Sark, the historic sailing ship that's become a fan-favorite cheer spot. Tower Bridge looms at mile 12, offering an iconic photo op and a roaring crowd vibe. Canary Wharf awaits at mile 18, serving as both a mental hurdle for runners and a convenient viewing point for city spectators. As the end draws close, the route snakes by the imposing Tower of London at mile 22, before sweeping past the London Eye and Big Ben at the marathon’s dramatic finale. The finish, right by Buckingham Palace, serves up that picture-perfect ending every London Marathon runner dreams of.

This year’s course comes with a tiny twist: the official GPX measurements put it at approximately 26.17 miles—a shade shorter than the classic marathon standard, but it’s still certified, and the magic is all about the cityscape and atmosphere.

Road Closures and Navigating the City During Marathon Weekend

Along with the marathon buzz comes a serious shakeup for Londoners and visitors. Pre-dawn barriers and extended road closures are set to start as early as 4 am in parts of Charlton and Woolwich. Those living or working along the route should expect traffic headaches and plan journeys accordingly.

• 4am–2:30pm: Charlton Way and Shooters Hill Road go off-limits early for setup.
• 7am–2:30pm: St John’s Park, Charlton Road, Old Dover Road, Little Heath, Charlton Park Lane, Artillery Place, and John Wilson Street join the closure list.
• 7am–3pm: Woolwich Church Street and Woolwich Road follow suit, so if you’re trying to get in or out of these areas, set that morning alarm even earlier.
• 8am–4pm: The marathon procession then takes over central arteries like Trafalgar Road, Creek Road, Evelyn Street, Surrey Quays Road, Salter Road, Brunel Road, and Jamaica Road. By late morning, these streets are packed with runners and spectators.

If you usually rely on Tower Bridge, Parliament Square, or major roads in Tower Hamlets and Westminster, plan for a marathon-long detour—they’ll remain shut until the evening, long after the last runner crosses the finish line. One particularly tricky closure is Birdcage Walk: both its eastbound and westbound lanes will be completely out of action, starting Friday, April 25, and running right through to Monday, April 28.

With such widespread closures, your best bet is to use public transport, walk, or simply embrace the marathon spirit if you’re stuck nearby. Enthusiasts eager to cheer for friends and family should check out the official marathon app or website for up-to-the-minute updates and advice on where to watch the action safely. The London Marathon 2025 promises energy, community, and a one-of-a-kind city spectacle—but for travel, a little extra planning goes a long way.