Question 1

How long is a marathon?

Accepted Answer

A marathon is 42.195 kilometres, or 26.2 miles. Most finishers complete it in 3:30 to 5:30, with the world record under 2:01.

Question 2

How long does it take to train for a marathon?

Accepted Answer

Most plans run 16 to 20 weeks and assume you can already run a half marathon. Expect to peak at a long run of 18 to 22 miles around three weeks before race day.

Question 3

What's a good marathon time?

Accepted Answer

Sub-4 hours is the classic recreational milestone — roughly 9:10 per mile. Sub-3:30 is a strong club time and Boston-qualifying for most age groups starts around 3:00 to 3:30.

Question 4

How much does it cost to enter a UK marathon?

Accepted Answer

Entry fees range from around £45 for smaller regional marathons to £100+ for major events like London or Manchester. Most fall between £55 and £80.

Marathons in London 2026

Other distances in London

Marathons in other UK regions

Frequently asked questions