The Olympic Marathons take place on Sunday 5 August (women’s competition) and Sunday 12 August (men’s competition). The men’s and women’s Paralympic Marathons take place on Sunday 9 September.
The Marathons will begin on The Mall and follow a looped course which travels along Victoria Embankment into the City of London, past famous landmarks such as St. Paul’s Cathedral and the Tower of London, before finishing back at The Mall for a dramatic finish against the backdrop of Buckingham Palace.
View the Olympic Marathon route map
View the Paralympic Marathon route map
Find out more information about watching the Marathons
This page is designed to keep you informed about the London 2012 Games in your area and provide you with the information you need to plan ahead for the Games.
Local travel information
Road closures
In order to safely deliver these world-class sporting events, we must secure the route and make sure it is clear of any vehicles. This protects both competitors and spectators and will involve extensive road closures and parking restrictions in affected areas from the early hours of the morning until late in the evening on event days. There are numerous pedestrian crossing points located at various locations around the course.
After the events have finished, roads will remain closed for some time to ensure they are safe and secure for public use. Barriers will need to be removed, road signs reinstated, roads thoroughly cleaned, crowds dispersed, security checks completed and stewards stood down before roads can be reopened safely.
We expect roads to be open again by late evening on each event day, but factors such as size of crowds, security needs and potential delays to the events will all play a part in deciding reopening times.
More detailed information about closures will be provided nearer the time.
Public transport
London 2012 is aiming for 100% of ticketed spectators to travel to competition venues by public transport, walk or cycle so local routes may be busy on event days. You can minimise disruption to your journey by planning your travel in advance.
Many bus services will operate more frequently and there will also be some diversions. Detailed information will be available closer to the Games.
For more information about local travel during the London 2012 Games visit:
What is happening and when?
27 July Olympic Games Opening Ceremony
5 August Women’s Olympic Marathon
12 August Men’s Olympic Marathon
12 August Olympic Games Closing Ceremony
29 August Paralympic Games Opening Ceremony
9 September Paralympic Marathon and Paralympic Games Closing Ceremony
For more information
To find out more about the Games and how it will impact your local area, please visit the related links on this page.
If you have any questions that you would like us to answer, please contact us at inyourarea@london2012.com
Get involved
From the Olympic Torch Relay and Local Leaders programme to the London 2012 Festival there are millions of ways to join in with London 2012. Events are taking place across the UK from now right until the end of the Games.
Find out how you can join in and see what’s happening in your local community.
