London Marathon LIVE: Thousands of runners and spectators head to the capital for the start of race

Here, follow all the latest news, updates and pictures as the London Marathon takes place across the capital this year. 

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Runners trying to get to the start line face travel chaos

Runners trying to get to the start line of the London Marathon on time have faced travel chaos as the rail strike grinds the overground network to a halt.

Around 50,000 runners and tens of thousands more spectators will be hit as yesterday’s industrial action carries over into this morning.

Trains run by many operators and travelling any reasonable distance into central London will not arrive before 9am, while the mass start to the Marathon is set to begin at 9.30am in Greenwich Park.  

Read more about the disruption here:

The marathon route will start in Greenwich and Blackheath, with runners assigned to one of three start lines.

They will merge after three miles, passing some of London’s most famous landmarks before finishing on The Mall, opposite Buckingham Palace.

The first stretch takes the runners through Charlton, Woolwich and Greenwich, and they will pass the Cutty Sark at mile six.

They will then progress through Deptford, Surrey Quays, Rotherhithe and Bermondsey, before crossing Tower Bridge shortly after mile 12.

From here it’s back east towards Limehouse, and a big circuit around Canary Wharf and the Isle of Dogs, before doubling back through Shadwell to Tower Gateway.

The final miles take the runners along the Thames, past St Paul’s Cathedral and through Blackfriars and Temple. They will pass the London Eye and the Houses of Parliament before coming to a stop by Buckingham Palace.

Runners in the London Marathon began arriving a while ago in central London, ahead of the start in Greenwich and Blackheath.

London Marathon advises participants to arrive around 90 minutes prior to their start time.

It’s an early start for some of the marathon runners this morning.

The Mini London Marathon, which gives young athletes a chance to compete across a much smaller distance, will begin at 8.30am.

This is followed by the elite wheelchair races for men and women which kick off at 8.50am, before the elite women’s race begins at 9.00am.

The elite men’s race and mass start will take place at 9.30am.

Good morning and welcome to our coverage of this year’s London Marathon. We’ll have all the latest news, updates and pictures as today’s races get underway.

As usual, there will be the elite races, mass start and wheelchair races all taking place today.

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