Sir Mo Farah and Ellie Kildunne to start the 2026 TCS London Marathon

Great Britain’s four-time Olympic gold medallist Sir Mo returns to the TCS London Marathon for the first time since retiring from athletics in 2024. Regarded as the greatest British endurance athlete in history, Sir Mo is also the British record holder for the marathon. He will be joined on the Starter’s podium by Red Roses Rugby World Cup-winning star Kildunne, fresh off the back of England’s Six Nations game against Wales taking place the day before. 

The pair will be the official starters for the elite wheelchair, elite women’s and elite men’s races, as well as the mass start, sending more than 59,000 participants on their way from Blackheath to The Mall on Marathon Day. 

Sir Mo said:  

“It’s an incredible honour to be the official starter of the 2026 TCS London Marathon. This event means so much to me as not only did I make my marathon debut here, but I also won the Mini Marathon when I was a young boy. Marathon Sunday is also such a special day for the city of London—it brings people together from all walks of life to achieve something extraordinary. I can’t wait to send thousands of runners off on their journey and feel that special London energy once again.” 

Kildunne added:  

“It’s a huge honour to be part of this year’s TCS London Marathon as an official starter. The energy around the event is incredible, and to share that moment alongside Sir Mo Farah is really special. It’s an event that inspires people at every level, and I’m proud to help get such an amazing day underway.” 

The elite races will be stacked with some of the best marathon athletes in the world, including all four defending champions – Sebastian Sawe, Tigst Assefa, Marcel Hug and Catherine Debrunner. 

Assefa leads the women’s field after breaking the women-only record on her way to winning last year. Wheelchair racing great Hug will draw level with British Paralympian David Weir as the most successful athlete in the history of the London Marathon if he wins the men’s wheelchair race on Sunday. Debrunner returns as favourite once again in the women’s wheelchair race, after missing the world record on the London course by just two seconds last year. Elsewhere, the elite men’s race promises a thrilling battle between last year’s top two finishers, Sawe and Jacob Kiplimo. 

This year, the wheelchair race will get underway at 08:50, followed by the women’s elite at 09:05 and the men’s elite and mass event starting at 09:35. 

Previous starters of the London Marathon include Queen Elizabeth II, the Prince and Princess of Wales with the Duke of Sussex, Sir Andy Murray, Lionesses Leah Williamson OBE, Jill Scott MBE and Ellen White MBE, Sir Steve Redgrave, Dame Kelly Holmes and Paralympian Richard Whitehead.