Here’s the truth bomb: the average finish time includes everyone — the elites, the first-timers, the guy in a wetsuit. So your personal “average” might be 5 hours, 6 hours, or even 8 hours if you stop for a selfie with a Beefeater.
And that’s absolutely perfect. The London Marathon is the one day where being average is a badge of honor. You’re part of a massive, sweaty, hilarious family. The finish line doesn’t check your pace — it just opens its arms.
London Marathon 2026 - Average Finish Times and More
Ready For The Best Part?
Wait till you hear this: many runners beat their own expectations on race day. The crowd, the adrenaline, the sight of Tower Bridge — it shaves minutes off your time. So if you train for 4:30, you might sprint in at 4:15. How’s that for a plot twist?
And if you finish slower? You’ve still got stories. Like the time you high-fived a fireman, or cried at the 20-mile mark, or ate a jelly baby from a stranger. Those moments matter more than any clock.
