This year’s London Marathon is looking like it will be wetter and colder than the toasty 24C that runners had to endure in 2018. That’s not great news for spectators, but if you won’t be in London to watch from the roadside, here’s how you can see the 2019 races on TV and online.
What time does the London Marathon start?
The official start times are as follows:
- 9.05am: Elite wheelchair race begins
- 9.10am: World Para Athletics Marathon Championships Ambulant Athletes start
- 9.25am: Women’s race begins
- 10.10am: Men’s race begins
Expect the elite runners to cross the finish line shortly after 12pm.
There’s also a half-hour build-up programme, which is on BBC One at 1.15pm on Saturday 21 April.
Is the London Marathon on TV?
Of course! As ever, it is on BBC. Here’s how to watch at various times:
8.30-10am: BBC Two
10am-2pm: BBC One
2-2.30pm: BBC Two
2.35-5pm: BBC Red Button
If you can’t watch live, you can catch highlights on BBC Two from 6-7pm.
How can I watch the London Marathon online?
You can watch the BBC’s coverage on iPlayer and via the BBC Sport website.
Using a VPN
It is possible to access overseas coverage if you use a VPN. We’ve rounded up the best VPN deals, but you won’t go far wrong if you pick NordVPN.
Once you’re signed up, download the software, log in, choose which country to browse from, and access that country’s coverage online.
Author: Jim Martin, Executive Editor
Jim has been testing and reviewing products for over 20 years. His main beats include VPN services and antivirus. He also covers smart home tech, mesh Wi-Fi and electric bikes.