News & media

26 April 2026 will see Europe running at full pace, as the TCS London Marathon and the Zurich Rock ‘n’ Roll Running Series Madrid take place under the European Marathon Classics series. The combined race day will bring together up to 75,000 runners across both cities, reinforcing Europe’s position as a global hub for marathon running and marking one of the standout weekends in the international running calendar.

Madrid: a festival of running in the heart of the Spanish capital

Madrid will once again transform into a vibrant stage for international running as it hosts the 48th edition of the Zurich Rock ‘n’ Roll Running Series Madrid. Around 47,000 participants from more than 110 countries are expected to take part, with up to 15,000 athletes competing in the marathon distance alone.

The event offers three distances: marathon, half marathon and 10K – ensuring broad accessibility for elite competitors, club runners and first-time participants. This diversity is a defining feature of the race and reflects its position as one of the most inclusive mass participation events in Europe.

The Madrid marathon is widely recognised for its unique identity, blending sport with live entertainment. Along the route, more than 30 music and animation points create a continuous atmosphere of energy and celebration, turning the city streets into a moving festival.

The course is also regarded as one of the most scenic on the international calendar, starting on the iconic Paseo de la Castellana near Gregorio Marañón metro station and passing key landmarks such as Santiago Bernabéu Stadium, the Cuatro Torres Business Area, Puerta del Sol, the Royal Palace, Casa de Campo, Madrid Río Park and the Prado Museum. The finish line awaits runners on Paseo de Recoletos, between Plaza de Cibeles and Plaza de Colón.

Organised by AD MAPOMA, one of Spain’s leading sports event organisers, the race forms part of the global Zurich Rock ‘n’ Roll Running Series and is a key fixture within the European Marathon Classics circuit. Each year, it attracts international runners, making a significant contribution to Madrid’s tourism economy and strengthening its position as a global sporting destination.

London: heritage, scale and global impact

Since its inaugural edition in 1981, the TCS London Marathon has grown into one of the most iconic and influential sporting events in the world. It is recognised not only for its elite competition but also for its unmatched atmosphere, mass participation scale and record-breaking charitable fundraising.

The event continues to set global benchmarks. The 2026 ballot reached 1,133,813 entries, a Guinness World Record, underlining its extraordinary popularity. The race has also seen 56,640 finishers in a single edition, a record at the time, while participants raised £87.3 million for charity in 2025 alone, confirming its status as the world’s largest single-day fundraising event.

The origins of the TCS London Marathon trace back to co-founders Chris Brasher and John Disley, who were inspired by the New York City Marathon in 1979. Their vision was to create an event that would bring people together, regardless of age, background or ability, and provide a sense of achievement and joy.

The first race, held on 29 March 1981, welcomed around 7,000 starters and over 6,200 finishers. Its symbolic moment came when winners Dick Beardsley and Inge Simonsen crossed the finish line hand in hand, setting the tone for the event’s enduring spirit of unity. Today, the race has evolved into a global sporting phenomenon with more than 55,000 participants annually and a legacy of multiple world records.

This year’s London Marathon will set a new benchmark for inclusion, welcoming over 1,900 participants with disabilities into the mass rac, more than ever before in the event’s history. The field includes runners and participants who are blind or have low vision, those who are deaf or have hearing loss, neurodivergent individuals, wheelchair athletes and assisted wheelchair users, as well as people living with a range of physical mobility challenges.

The course is widely regarded as one of the fastest and most visually iconic in the world, offering an elevation gain of approximately 125 metres and a net downhill profile. Its wide roads, smooth surface and extraordinary crowd support make it one of the most sought-after races for personal best performances.

The route is also a journey through London’s most recognisable landmarks. Starting in maritime Greenwich, runners pass through Tower Bridge, the financial district of Canary Wharf and central London before finishing in Westminster, in front of Buckingham Palace, one of the most celebrated finish lines in global sport.

Where to watch 2026 TCS London Marathon?

The TCS London Marathon will once again be broadcast globally with extensive live coverage. In the United Kingdom, BBC One will lead the main broadcast, with elite race coverage starting in the morning and continuing across BBC One and BBC Two throughout the day.

Get ready for Event Day: Watch My Reason to Run at 13:30 on BBC One on Saturday 25 April. In the half-hour programme, Gabby Logan meets inspirational participants in this year's marathon.

Live coverage: On Sunday, the elite race coverage starts at 08:30 on BBC One. Live coverage will move to BBC Two at 14:00. 

BBC iPlayer live stream of mass participants: Friends and family can spot their loved ones on the live stream of Tower Bridge from 10:30 and the Finish Line from 12:30 on BBC iPlayer.

Relive the day: There's an hour-long highlights programme with Gabby Logan on BBC Two at 18:00.

Radio: Listen to BBC Radio London’s extensive coverage throughout the weekend on BBC Sounds from 08:00 to 15:00.

International audiences will be able to follow the race through a wide network of broadcasters, including Flotrack in the United States, Canada and Australia, Disney+/ESPN in Latin America and Brazil, Eurosport/Discovery across Europe and Asia, RAI in Italy, RTVE in Spain, SuperSport in Africa, and additional partners across Asia and the Middle East, ensuring global accessibility to one of the world’s premier sporting events.

Where to watch 48th Zurich Rock ‘n’ Roll Running Series Madrid?

The 48th Zurich Rock ‘n’ Roll Running Series Madrid will start at 8:45 a.m. local time, with live coverage and updates available through the official event platforms. The event will be streamed live worldwide via the official event YouTube channel https://www.youtube.com/@maratondemadrid/streams, offering continuous coverage of the race, key moments along the course and post-race highlights, ensuring global audiences can follow the atmosphere and energy of Madrid in real time.

A unified vision for European running

The European Marathon Classics Weekend represents a shared vision between two of the continent’s iconic races. By aligning on the same date, London and Madrid create a unique continental platform that celebrates participation, elite performance and the cultural significance of running.

Together, the two events highlight the unifying power of sport across borders, bringing millions of spectators, athletes and supporters into a single global narrative of endurance, achievement and community.