Tommy's London Landmarks Half Marathon 2027

The London Landmarks Half Marathon takes place on Sunday, April 4, 2027, at a time of year when London typically offers a cool, pleasant spring for running, with temperatures usually between 10-15°C. The start on Whitehall has a distinctly British, ceremonial touch: the famous "Bowler Hat Send Off," a stylish, old-school London moment that kicks off the race.From there, the route winds through historic Westminster before heading down to the river along the Embankment, with the Thames as a constant companion and views of iconic landmarks like Big Ben. The course isn't a simple out-and-back — it crosses over itself several times, exploring both grand avenues and narrower, lesser-known streets of the historic center. In fact, a spectator positioned near Mansion House can end up seeing their runner pass by as many as three times, at roughly miles 3, 8, and 10.The route is dotted with genuine pieces of London history beyond the major landmarks: it passes the site of the ancient Roman Amphitheatre of London (which once entertained up to 7,000 spectators), Pudding Lane (believed to be where the Great Fire of London started in 1666, marked with a commemorative plaque), and the former house of Guy Fawkes, the Gunpowder Plot conspirator. It's rounded out by a recreated "Roman Reception" at Guildhall Yard with volunteers in period costume, live performances from brass and samba bands, choirs like the London Show Choir and Guildhall Youth Choir, DJs, dancers, gladiator and centurion reenactors, and even a suffragist-themed pageant in recent editions — all spread across themed entertainment zones along the course, under the motto "The Grand, The Quirky, The Hidden."The final stretch heads back into the heart of the city, passing Westminster Bridge and Big Ben once more, before the run into Trafalgar Square, where the finish line — beneath Nelson's Column — welcomes runners with a warm greeting from the Chelsea Hospital veterans and London's Pearly Kings and Queens, a centuries-old local tradition.Bibs and registrationAs a fully charitable, not-for-profit race, the entry system differs from any other event in your database: there's no open, paid public registration. The main route is a free ballot that opens a few weeks before the event; those who wish can also donate their entry fee upfront to Tommy's to access a second, better-odds draw ("Second Chance Ballot"). For those who don't secure a spot through the ballot, the usual path is to run for one of the 700+ partner charities, with a registration fee of around £25-30 and a minimum fundraising pledge of around £350 — in return, each runner gets personalized support from a charity team member, professional training plans, and access to an official team kit.