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[ Wire ] · Dispatch · Nov 04

London Marathon Start Waves: Corrals, Colors, and Rules

Lining up at the TCS London Marathon involves navigating one of the largest starting operations in world road running. With tens of thousands of participants converging on Greenwich and Blackheath, organizers use a multi-zone layout to ensure an orderly flow onto the 26.2-mile course.

Whether you are wondering how your corral is assigned, what your bib color represents, or whether you can drop back to run alongside a friend, here is how London Marathon start waves, assembly zones, and corral policies work under official event guidelines.

How are London Marathon start waves assigned?

London Marathon wave allocations and start times are based on the predicted finish time you provide during registration. Unlike some events that mandate third-party qualifier certificates for mass runners, general entry participants receive wave placements from their entered estimate.

Special entry categories, including British Athletics Championship and Good For Age runners, follow specific start wave timing procedures required for their divisions. Because of these distinct timing procedures, Championship and Good For Age entrants are not eligible to join Team Green start waves.

Start wave departures run in sequence from about 09:30 to 11:30. Brief gaps between waves give runners space along the route. For safety reasons, all start lines close promptly at 11:30, and runners cannot cross the start after that time. Runners targeting a finish time over seven hours start on the Pink Start, placing them ahead of the eight-hour pace tailwalkers.

Organizers email participants their start wave, assigned assembly area, allocated arrival time, and recommended train schedule approximately three weeks before race day.

What are the start assembly areas and color zones?

The start layout divides runners across five Assembly Areas feeding into three Start Lines:

  • Blue Assembly Area: Uses the Blue Start Line. Bibs feature blue numbers on a white background. The nearest station is Blackheath (10-minute walk).
  • Green Assembly Area: Dedicated baggage-free area on Blackheath for Team Green participants, who start from the Blue Start Line. Bibs feature green numbers on a white background. Nearest station is Blackheath.
  • Pink Assembly Area: Uses the Pink Start Line. Bibs feature pink numbers on a white background. The nearest station is Maze Hill (10-minute walk).
  • Red Assembly Area: Uses the Red Start Line. Bibs feature red numbers on a white background. The nearest station is Greenwich (20-minute walk).
  • Yellow Assembly Area: Bibs feature red numbers on a yellow background. The nearest station is Blackheath (10-minute walk).

Wear your bib clearly displayed on your chest before you arrive at your Assembly Area. The Start is for participants only, so spectators should not travel there.

Can you change your start wave or run with a friend?

Official event rules prohibit moving to an earlier start wave or switching to a different Start Line. Even if two participants entered identical predicted finish times during registration, there is no guarantee they will be placed in the same wave.

However, you can join a later start wave from your allocated Start Line. You do not need to notify organizers in advance; you simply join the later wave on race morning. You cannot, under any circumstances, jump into a faster wave or start from a different color line.

How do you travel to your assigned start area?

Participants receive free public transport on race morning to reach the start. Showing your official race bib grants free travel on Southeastern train services to the start stations, as well as on the Docklands Light Railway (DLR), London Underground, London Overground, the Elizabeth Line, and local London buses. Do not tap in or tap out at ticket barriers when using this free transit.

Pacers are easy to spot near the Start Line, identifiable by tall flags displaying target finish times ranging from 03:00 to 07:30.

For course maps, transport tips, and entry deadlines, check our London Marathon page.

Sources: TCS London Marathon Event Guide, London Marathon Event Overview, Team Green Baggage-Free Start

Sources London Marathon Events