Now for the best part: where does it finish? Right on The Mall, that grand, tree-lined road leading directly to Buckingham Palace. Yes, the Queen’s (now King’s) gaff.
TCS London Marathon breaks finisher world record with 59,830
You’ll cross the finish line with thousands of screaming spectators, a giant clock, and possibly a medal shaped like a giant coin. Expect to cry, laugh, and wonder why your legs suddenly feel like jelly.
Pro tip: don’t stop right on the line. You’ll cause a domino effect of exhausted runners. Keep stumbling forward until you find a wall to lean on—and maybe a kind person with a banana.
What About The Actual Spot?
The exact finish line is on The Mall, just past St. James’s Park. The road is wide and flat, which is great because by mile 26, you’re basically a human slug.
If you look to your left, you’ll see the Victoria Memorial (a big gold statue). If you look to your right, you’ll see the palace gates—and probably a few corgis peeking out. Okay, maybe not, but a runner can dream.
The whole thing is timed so that everyone finishes in the royal presence. Even if you cross at 6 hours, the palace still looks fancy—just try not to faint in front of the guards.
