Yes. 102 m of cumulative gain, slight net downhill, mostly flat after the rolling first 8 km. World records have been set here.

Where do the three London starts join?

Red, blue, and green starts converge at roughly km 4.7 in Woolwich. From there the course is one road to The Mall.

London, GB · April 2027

TCS London Marathon

London Marathon pacing strategy with per-km splits for Greenwich-to-The-Mall, nutrition plan for the British spring, and race-week checklist.

Distance: 42.20 km
Elevation gain: 102 m
Typical temp: 7–15 °C
Cutoff: 8:00:00

Race data quality

Medium confidence

Last verified: source review pending

Course distance, climate, and broad course features are suitable for pacing previews. Elevation profiles and aid-station details are approximate and should be checked against the official race packet before race day.

Elevation profile

Approximate course model

Paid strategy guardrail

Official race packet remains source of truth

Published race organizer materials
Public course maps and elevation references
Historical climate normals for the race month

Step 1 · Free preview

See the course-adjusted plan first

Enter one recent result. The preview returns course cost, first splits, and fuel target from the deterministic engine and the current course data model.

Recent raceRecent timeGoal timeWeight (kg)

VDOT

49.1

Estimate

3:14:48

Course cost

+1:03

Fuel target

90 g/h

Course pressure11 °C · 70% RH

First 5 km preview

full race locked

km 14:41
km 24:47
km 34:47
km 44:45
km 54:39

km 6-42 locked · full splits, nutrition timeline, danger zones, printable race band

Continue with approximate course data

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Uses an approximate course model; verify final logistics against the official race packet.

Step 2 · Full TCS London Marathon strategy

Per-km splits, nutrition timing, race-week checklist.

First strategy free · €7 per additional race · €19/yr unlimited · verified-date email reminders when available.

Continue with approximate course data →

Course elevation

102 m total gain · 130 m loss · max 52 m, min 1 m.

Signature sections

Tower Bridge · km 19–19.5
Crossing the Thames at halfway — flat, but a psychological anchor point.
Embankment to The Mall · km 39–42.195
Final stretch along the river, past Big Ben, finishing on The Mall.

Race overview

London is a fast, well-supported course with three separate starts that converge at km 5. Slight net downhill (about 28 m) over the full distance, gentle undulations through Greenwich, Tower Bridge at halfway, then a flat final 10 km along the Thames Embankment to The Mall. April weather averages 7–15 °C — close to ideal for marathon physiology — though wind off the river in the final kilometres can be a factor for sub-3-hour runners. Pace evenly, fuel from km 10, and save effort for the long, flat closing stretch through central London.

How hard is this course?

Reference table — how the TCS London Marathon compares to a flat sea-level course for four typical fitness levels. Computed from the route profile, mean course altitude, and typical race-week climate (11 °C / 70 % humidity). Your personal strategy uses your VDOT, per-km splits, nutrition timing, and the typical climate baseline for this static sample; paid strategies use Open-Meteo when a verified race date is inside the forecast window.

Runner	Flat-course finish	TCS London Marathon finish	Course cost	Adjusted pace
Beginner (VDOT 35)	4:16:08	4:17:32	+0.5%	6:05/km
Intermediate (VDOT 45)	3:28:17	3:29:25	+0.5%	4:57/km
Trained (VDOT 50)	3:10:41	3:11:44	+0.5%	4:32/km
Competitive (VDOT 60)	2:43:24	2:44:17	+0.5%	3:53/km

Reference nutrition

For a 70 kg runner finishing in 3:11:44 at 11 °C. Adjust to your weight and tolerance — these are ISSN-window targets, not prescriptions.

Carbs / hour: 90 g
Total carbs: 288 g
Fluid / hour: 640 ml
Sodium / hour: 500 mg

FAQ

Is London fast?
Yes. 102 m of cumulative gain, slight net downhill, mostly flat after the rolling first 8 km. World records have been set here.
Where do the three London starts join?
Red, blue, and green starts converge at roughly km 4.7 in Woolwich. From there the course is one road to The Mall.

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Related races

New to the marathon? Start with our marathon pacing strategy guide or run the VDOT calculator.