The London Marathon is going into 2026 with serious momentum. However, not everything around it feels straightforward. The demand to be part of the race has hit a new high, yet the sport itself is still dealing with questions that haven’t really gone away.
Over 1.1 million people entered the ballot for this year’s race, which says everything about how popular it has become. From those, close to 59,000 runners are expected to take part on 26 April. The route stays the same, starting at Greenwich Park and finishing on The Mall, with the usual landmarks along the way. Last year already saw a record number of finishers, and this edition could push things even further.
There’s also plenty of focus on the elite side. Sabastian Sawe is back to defend his title, while Tigst Assefa returns after that huge 2:15:50 run in 2025. Naturally, people are expecting fast times again. On top of that, Mo Farah being involved as the official starter just adds to the attention around the race.
Why is doping becoming a concern at the London Marathon 2026
For all the excitement, there’s still an ongoing conversation around the sport itself. Doping cases haven’t exactly disappeared, and some recent suspensions have kept the topic in the spotlight. There have also been discussions around unusual biological readings linked to top performances over the years, which continues to raise eyebrows.
At the same time, a different kind of issue has been growing at big races like this. Bib-swapping has become more common, with runners taking part under someone else’s entry. It might sound minor compared to doping, but for organizers, it’s turning into a real problem when it comes to fairness.
Looking ahead, there’s even talk of expanding the event into two days by 2027 to deal with demand. That could take participation close to 100,000 runners, which shows how quickly things are growing.
So while the 2026 race is shaping up to be one of the biggest yet, it’s not just about records or numbers. There’s excitement, no doubt, but also a sense that the sport is being watched more closely than ever. That said, with just about two days left for the event, it will be interesting to see how it plays out and what comes out of it in terms of the questions surrounding it in the buildup.