London Marathonn 2023: When is it and will Sir Mo Farah be competing?

The London Marathon will return next month, with thousands of runners set to take to the streets of the capital.

For the past three years, the event was moved from its traditional spring slot due to the coronavirus but will return in April this year.

Last year, over 40,000 runners attempted the 26.2 mile course. Kenya’s Amos Kipruto won the men’s race in 2:04.39.

Ethiopian runner Yalemzerf Yehualaw recovered from a late fall to produce a dominant performance in the women’s race and clinch gold. 

Sportsmail breaks down everything you need to know ahead of this year’s London Marathon including when it will take place and how to watch.

Yalemzerf Yehualaw recovered from a late fall to win the women’s race last year

When is the London Marathon?

The London Marathon will take on Sunday, April 23, with the exact timings for the event yet to be confirmed.

However, it has historically set off from 9.30am, with Elite and Wheelchair races starting an hour before.

The marathon is set to last all day. Competitors will only be eligible for a medal if they complete the course before the official cut-off period, which is roughly seven hours.

What is the route?

The London Marathon route has mostly remained the same since 1981.

Those competing will start in Greenwich, which serves as the neutral location for measuring all time zones around the world.  

At around the halfway point, runners will pass the Cutty Sark and the Shard before crossing Tower Bridge.

They will then run along Victoria Embankment to Westminster, passing the London Eye, before heading in the direction of Canary Wharf.

Heading into the final stretch, runners will pass Big Ben and the Houses of Parliament. They will then turn onto The Mall and head towards the finish line, which is situated near Buckingham Palace. 

Last year, over 40,000 runners would go on to attempt the 26.2 mile course

How to watch

This year’s marathon will be shown live on BBC, with an official coverage start time yet to be confirmed.

Fans will also be able to watch the game via BBC iPlayer.

Since the inaugural race back in 1981, the BBC have been the event’s official broadcaster. 

Is Sir Mo Farah competing?

After pulling out of last year’s marathon due to injury, Sir Mo Farah confirmed that he will be competing this year.

The four-time Olympic champion expects 2023 to be his final year of racing before he retires.

Farah will be 40 by the time the London Marathon comes around and he will be looking for one last hurrah in front of his home fans.

Sir Mo Farah confirmed that he will be competing this year’s London Marathon

The former Olympic champion revealed that this year could be his last before calling it a day 

What’s been said?

Farah said that he was ‘gutted’ to miss out on last year’s race, but is hoping to give it one more shot this year. 

‘It’s been an amazing career and taking part in the London Marathon is a very big deal.

‘I was gutted not to race last year and I just want to give it one more shot. It depends on my body. I just want to get to the start line and see what I can manage. I’m just taking one race at a time.

‘I’m not a spring chicken any more. You can’t keep coming back in the right shape and, for me, I’d love to be able to finish it at home.

‘We are getting closer to the end of my career, for sure.’