Ballot places for October’s London Marathon have finally been announced, but first: the mini one (and the perfect way to kickstart training).
London’s most scenic half marathon, the London Landmarks, returns to the streets this weekend and if it seems too soon after the last one, that’s because it is: last year’s delayed race took place four months late in August (thanks, Covid) but this year it’s back to business as usual and taking place in April (though it could be close to August temperatures, if forecasts are anything to go by).
More than 12,500 runners are set to take to the capital’s streets this Sunday and as ever, it’s one of the most feelgood dates in London’s calendar: thousands of fans cheering runners around the city, a route taking in St Paul’s Cathedral, the Tower of London and the London Eye, and over £ million being raised for good causes. As ever, this year’s official charity is Tommy’s, the UK’s leading pregnancy charity. Oh, and it’s set to be the greenest London Landmarks ever, with paper cups being used instead of plastic bottles at all the water stations along the route.
As usual, there’ll be plenty of star faces among the running ranks this year, too. Sibling duo AJ and Curtis Pritchard, Cold Feet star Cel Spellman and McFly veteran Harry Judd are among celebrities taking part in Sunday’s race, and while lateral flow tests and distancing are encouraged where possible, it’s set to feel like the most back-to-normal post-pandemic Landmarks event yet. Hurrah!
From where to watch to how to download the live-tracking app before race-day, here’s everything you need to know.
When is the London Landmarks Half Marathon?
The race takes place this Sunday, April 3 starting between 9.20am and 10.40am. It’s an early alarm for a Sunday, but it’s worth getting there with plenty of time to spare as there’ll be large crowds and extra safety protocols in place to prevent the spread of Covid.
Aim to arrive at the event 60 minutes before your allocated start time (there are seven different waves to limit mixing) if you want to drop stuff off. The bag drop opens from 8.20am and arrival times open an hour before each wave’s start time.
Runners are asked to take a lateral flow test 24 hours before the event, use sanitiser regularly where available, and respect and recognise that some people may still feel nervous in this busy environment and want to maintain a safe distance from others. Read the official race day guide here.
Where is the London Landmarks Half Marathon?
New year, same route. For any London Landmarks returners, it’s back to the familiar race-day routine of starting on Pall Mall. After that, it’s a similar 13.1-mile winding route past many of London’s most iconic landmarks including Big Ben, St Paul’s Cathedral, Nelson’s Column, the Gherkin, the Shard, the Tower of London and the London Eye - plus plenty of cheer stations.
For runners, there’s certainly no chance of getting bored. This year’s theme is “the grand, the quirky and the hidden” so organisers will be setting up pink signs along the route pointing out the capital’s fascinating and quirky history. There’ll also be celebrations of many of London’s proudest features and moments, from the city’s sporting history to Black cab drivers to the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee.
Just like previous years, you’ll end with a stately finish on Whitehall just outside Downing Street. The Prime Minister might not be there to cheer you home, but plenty of runners and supporters will be. You can view a map of the route here.
Drinks stations will be at miles 3, 5, 6 , 8 and 11, and there will also be cans of water in your goody bag at the finish line.
Who’s running?
Roughly 12,500 brave runners will take to the start line this year and many more will be cheering them on. A number of celebrities will also be attempting the 13.1 mile course, including TV and Smooth Radio presenter Jenny Falconer, Cold Feet and Waterloo Road star Cel Spellman, Inbetweeners star Blake Harrison and Strictly star AJ Pritchard, his dancer girlfriend Abbie Quinnen, and brother Curtis.
The trio will be running on behalf of Chelsea and Westminster Hospital, which supported Quinnen through her burns ordeal last year. Jade Goody’s son Jeff and his son Bobby Brazier will also be running on behalf of Grief Encounters, who supported them after Goody’s death.
Where to watch the London Landmarks Half Marathon
It’s hard to know who’ll have more to see: the runners or the thousands of spectators coming to cheer them on. For spectators, the best way to plan your day is to check out the course map here and to download the free LLHM 2022 race-day app for live predictive tracking and an interactive course map to use during the race (plus a fun new selfie feature).
As you’ll see on the map, there’ll be dozens of charity cheer stations bringing the feelgood factor along the route, plus plenty of themed activations celebrating the grand, the hidden and the quirky, from nostalgic Nineties music to circus performers.
There’ll also be historical activations: spectators should pop into Guildhall Yard while they wait - not only is it roughly the halfway point, but there’ll also be rock choir performances and gladiator fights.
If you feel inspired, tickets for next year’s ballot are already available to pre-register for here.
How to get there
It’s going to be busy, so plan ahead. Road closures are planned and there’s no designated parking, so the Tube is your best bet.
The event hub is on Pall Mall so the nearest stations are Charing Cross, Green Park, Embankment, Leicester Square and Piccadilly Circus. If you’re confused or want advice, call TFL or check its website in advance.
Once you arrive, bag drops will be located inside a series of double decker buses. For waves 1, 3, 5 and 6 these will be relocated to Pall Mall for when you finish - you can see a map of facilities here.
