London Marathon 2015: route, start time, runners and weather

Some 35,000 athletes will begin their gruelling 26.2 mile journey at 10.10am on Sunday when the London Marathon mass event gets underway.

Charity runners will begin the course at three different start points in Greenwich Park and Blackheath, south London, before the routes converge just before the three-mile mark.

The first six miles take place in Greenwich before the route traces the Thames from the Cutty Sark up to Tower Bridge.

Joggers approach the halfway mark as they cross the famous bridge before travelling east to the Isle of Dogs, where they will pass Canary Wharf before turning back on themselves towards Monument.

From there, participants have about three miles to go in which they will pass Big Ben and Buckingham Palace before finishing on The Mall.

The elite men’s race will also begin at 10.10am, as last year’s winner and former world record holder Wilson Kipsang – who got round the course in a time of 2:04:29 in 2014 – bids to retain his crown.

The elite women’s race starts at 9.20am, with Kipsang’s fellow Kenyan Mary Keitaby the favourite. The London Wheelchair Marathon is the first event to get underway at 9am.

Watching the race

For those wondering where to watch the race, some of the busiest spots will include Greenwich town centre and the Cutty Sark, which can be uncomfortable due to the huge crowds.

Tower Bridge also gets extremely busy, as does the final stretch from mile 24 to the finish in The Mall

The route has been adjusted due to building work near Canary Wharf, so the popular viewing spot at Heron Quay roundabout will not be available.

Getting around

Some roads will be closed from 7am including the approaches to Upper Thames Street, Tower Hill and Victoria Embankment will be closed, as will the Rotherhithe Tunnel, and Tower, Southwark and Westminster bridges.

The Bakerloo line between Queen's Park and Harrow & Wealdston will not be running and DLR trains from Beckton and Woolwich Arsenal will terminate at Poplar.

The best stations to get to the marathon route are Cutty Sark DLR (between mile 6 and 7); Canada Water (mile 9); London Bridge (mile 12); Tower Hill and Tower Gateway (mile 13); Shadwell DLR (between mile 13 and 22); Canary Wharf (between mile 14 and 15); Limehouse (mile 14); Crossharbour DLR (mile 18); Monument (mile 23); Mansion House (between mile 23 and 24); Temple (between mile 23 and 24); Charing Cross (mile 24); Embankment (mile 25); and Green Park or St James's Park for the finish line.

Weather

The Met Office has warned Sunday is likely to be cloudy with showers on and off throughout the 26.2 mile course, and there could be some heavy bursts of rain at times.

Forecasters say it is likely to feel quite cool for the spectators and will be particularly noticeable given the change from warm, sunny conditions over recent days.

However, the Met Office said conditions remain fairly uncertain due to current weather patterns and advised the public to keep checking right up to the last minute.

Start times

09:00 The London Wheelchair Marathon for Men & Women
09:05 IPC Athletics Marathon World Cup
09:20 The Virgin Money London Marathon Elite Women
10:10 The Virgin Money London Marathon Elite Men, British Athletics, England Athletics Championship for Men & Women
10:10 The Virgin Money London Marathon Mass start

Visit the official London Marathon website for more information