Getting your London Marathon 2026 prediction right will be a challenge since multiple top athletes will try their luck this year! Can Sabastian Sawe and Tigst Assefa defend their titles through the streets of London?
In this guide, we’ll walk you through the route, break down the top contenders, and finish with our expert betting predictions for one of the year’s must-watch marathons.
- London Marathon Route
- London Marathon Betting Favorites
- London Marathon Weather Predictions
- London Marathon by the Numbers
- London Marathon Previous Winners
- London Marathon Betting Predictions
The odds for the London Marathon will likely be available at Bovada. The bookmaker has offered London Marathon betting odds on both the men’s and women’s races in the past a day or two before the event.
I will keep my eyes open and update this post, once the odds for 2026 are available.
The 2026 London Marathon Route: What to Know
The London Marathon is known for its flat, fast course and iconic city backdrop, making it one of the most popular World Marathon Majors for both elite runners and casual bettors.
The race kicks off in Greenwich Park, with runners starting from multiple zones before merging within the first few miles. Early on, the course winds through residential neighborhoods like Charlton and Woolwich, offering a smooth, slightly downhill start that allows runners to ease into a steady rhythm.
One of the race’s most famous moments comes at mile 12, when runners cross Tower Bridge, cheered on by some of the loudest crowds of the day. From there, the route heads east through Canary Wharf, where the tall buildings can create swirling wind conditions and test mental stamina.
After rejoining the Thames Embankment around mile 22, runners enjoy a scenic final stretch past landmarks like Big Ben and the London Eye before turning onto The Mall for a spectacular finish in front of Buckingham Palace.
With minimal elevation gain and a largely paved surface, this is one of the best courses for fast times — ideal for front-runners and record attempts.
If you want a detailed breakdown, visit the official map of the London Marathon 2026.
London Marathon Betting Favorites
Here are the athletes I believe will be at the top of the board when the 2026 London Marathon odds are released at the best sports betting sites.
Men’s Favorites – 2026 London Marathon
The following male runners are most likely to challenge for the 2026 London Marathon.
Sabastian Sawe (Kenya)
Sabastian Sawe is the defending London Marathon champion and comes into this race in great form. He has been winning consistently, including big races like Berlin in 2025 and Valencia in 2024. This shows he can perform well on different courses, not just one.
Defending champion Sabastian Sawe (Ken) returns to face Jacob Kiplimo (Ug), who finished second in 2025. They are joined by Olympic 10,000m champion Joshua Cheptegei (Ug) and world record holder Tamirat Tola (Eth). Yomif Kejelcha is also making a highly anticipated marathon debut pic.twitter.com/NC4Qt0p6Bn
— Jonas CHEMUTAI (@jonas_chemutai) April 22, 2026
Some people may worry about his lack of experience in marathons compared to older runners. However, his recent results suggest he has already learned how to handle the distance. Sawe knows the London course and has proven he can win big races, making him one of the top runners to watch.
Jacob Kiplimo (Uganda)
Jacob Kiplimo is a talented runner, but he is also a bit of a risk. He won the 2025 Chicago Marathon and finished second in London behind Sawe by a minute and ten seconds, showing he has potential. He is very fast, possibly the fastest runner in the field.
However, marathon racing is not just about speed. Experience and strategy are critical. Kiplimo is still learning how to manage a full marathon. London’s course and weather can be challenging, and they are different from Chicago. While he could compete for the win, there is some uncertainty about how well he will perform.
Tamirat Tola (Ethiopia)
Tamirat Tola has an impressive record, including an Olympic gold medal from 2024, and a win in New York in 2023. He also finished third in London in 2023, and Tokyo in 2022. He clearly knows how to compete major races.
However, his fifth-place finish in London last year raises concerns. It suggests the course may not suit him as well as others. He also may not be as fast as the top runners in this race. While his experience is valuable, he may struggle to keep up if the pace is very fast. He could still place well, but he’s not be the top favorite to win.
Women’s Favorites – 2026 London Marathon
The women’s London Marathon will be without Olympic gold medalist Sifan Hassan. The Dutch champion, who won in London in 2023 and finished third in 2025, suffered an Achilles injury and will take time to rehab.
However, several strong contenders will take part. Let’s talk about them.
Tigst Assefa (Ethiopia)
Tigst Assefa is one of the strongest runners in the women’s field. She finished second in London in 2024, while winning here last year. She won the Berlin Marathon twice in 2022 and 2023. She is also the fastest runner in this race, as far as top-end speed goes. Her winning time in London last year set a World Marathon Major record for women.
Tigst Assefa Breaks the Women’s-Only Marathon World Record at the 2025 London Marathon https://t.co/pHx5UqnO1x
— Runner’s World (@runnersworld) April 27, 2025
Her speed gives her a big advantage, especially in the final part of the race. She tends to race aggressively and take control early. While London sometimes rewards patience, her performance last year shows she is improving her race strategy. With her speed and experience, she is a strong contender to win.
Peres Jepchirchir (Kenya)
Peres Jepchirchir has an excellent record, including wins in New York (2021), Boston (2022), and London (2024), plus an Olympic gold medal from 2020 and a third-place finish in London (2023). She is intelligent in races and makes good decisions at key moments.
However, she may struggle if the race becomes very fast. She does not have the same top speed as runners like Assefa. She is still likely to perform well, but may be more suited for a top finish rather than a win.
Joyciline Jepkosgei (Kenya)
Joyciline Jepkosgei won the London Marathon in 2021, as well as New York in 2019. She has finished on the podium several times, including second in London in 2022 and 2025, and third in London in 2024. She knows the course well, which is a big advantage.
However, she lacks a strong finishing kick, which is important in close races. The competition is also stronger now, with faster runners in the field. While she is consistent and experienced, she may find it difficult to beat the top contenders. She is more likely to finish in the top five than to win.
Hellen Obiri (Kenya)
Hellen Obiri has had great success, including three Olympic medals, and two wins each in Boston (2023 and 2024) and New York (2023 and 2025). She is experienced and knows how to compete in big races.
However, London’s fast course may not suit her as well, and this is also her debut on this course. She relies more on strategy than pure speed. Against faster runners, this could be a disadvantage. She is still capable of competing at a high level, but winning may be more difficult in this field.
London Marathon Weather Predictions for 2026
The London Marathon weather is supposed to be ideal, starting out at 43 degrees Fahrenheit (six degrees Celsius), but get up to a high of 63 degrees Fahrenheit (17 degrees C). It’s also due to be sunny with minimal wind.
London Marathon by the Numbers
- The 2026 London Marathon will have over 59,000 runners taking part.
- The 2025 edition had 56,640 finishers.
- Kenya’s Eliud Kipchoge holds the men’s record with four wins, with his last win coming in 2019.
- Norway’s Grete Waitz has the most wins with four on the women’s side. All four came between 1983 and 1990.
- Eight of the last ten men’s winners have come from Kenya, while seven out of ten Kenyans have won the most recent women’s races, but only one of the last four.
Previous Winners – London Marathon
| Year | Men’s Winner | Time | Women’s Winner | Time |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | Sabastian Sawe | 2:02:27 | Tigst Assefa | 2:15:50 |
| 2024 | Alexander Munyao | 2:04:01 | Peres Jepchirchir | 2:16:16 |
| 2023 | Kelvin Kiptum | 2:01:25 | Sifan Hassan | 2:18:34 |
| 2022 | Amos Kipruto | 2:04:39 | Yalemzerf Yehualaw | 2:17:26 |
| 2021 | Sisay Lemma | 2:04:01 | Joyciline Jepkosgei | 2:17:43 |
| 2020 | Shura Kitata | 2:05:41 | Brigid Kosgei | 2:18:58 |
2026 London Marathon Betting Predictions
On the men’s side, my London Marathon betting pick is Sabastian Sawe to defend his title. He has the perfect mix of raw speed and composure to win big. If he’s healthy and prepares well, he’s the man to beat.
In the women’s race, Tigst Assefa leads a loaded field, but I’m backing her to repeat in my 2026 London Marathon predictions as well. She dominated the 2025 race after a runner-up finish in 2024, and Assefa could go on a run here in London!
Where To Find London Marathon Betting Odds?
US readers who want to bet on the London Marathon should visit Bovada, with the bookmaker due to release odds for the competition. Sign up now for a 50% welcome bonus, up to a maximum of $250!
Welcome Bonus
50% up to $250
- Wide-ranging sportsbook and live betting platform
- Top-notch poker room with numerous tournaments
You must be logged in to comment. Don't have an account? Sign up today.