Runners taking part in this year’s London Marathon can earn a significant amount of money if they manage to finish in the top 12 out of 50,000 participants.
The annual race is scheduled for Sunday, April 21, and a record number of runners are expected to take part in the 26.2-mile race.
An event for all levels. Some will take it more seriously than others, with some of the best athletes in the world traveling to England’s capital for a chance at first place, along with the hefty check that comes with crossing the finish line.
While many amateurs just want to show up and compete, once they know how much they can walk away from if they manage to secure a spot, they may be tempted to take it a little more seriously.
Here’s everything you need to know about how much the top runners can earn from the famous London Marathon, with two separate prize pools of $150,000 (£121,000) for the men and women.
There is a prize pool of $150,000 (£121,000) for each category in this year’s marathon
It is expected that 50,000 people, consisting of professionals and amateurs, will take part in the 42.2 mile race
What is the prize money for the London Marathon 2024?
Quite surprisingly, the prize money for the London Marathon is handed out in US dollars, as opposed to the host country’s national currency, the pound.
There are four cash prizes in total, one for the men’s race, the women’s race, the men’s wheelchair race and the women’s wheelchair race.
The total prize amount for all categories is $150,000 (£120,352.50). Here’s how the huge prize pool breaks down.
- 12th – $1,000 (£802)
- 11th – $1,500 (£1,203.52)
- 10th – $2,000 (£1,604.54)
- 9th – $3,000 (£2,406.81)
- 8th – $4,000 (£3,209.08)
- 7th – $5,000 (£4,011.35)
- 6th – $7,500 (£6,017.32)
- 5th – $10,000 (£8,023.10)
- 4th – $15,000 (£12,034.65)
- 3rd – $22,500 (£18,051.98)
- 2nd – $30,000 (£24,069.30)
- 1st – $55,000 (£44,120.45)
Are there bonuses for completing the race within a certain time?
Yes, bonus cash prizes will be awarded to runners who manage to complete the course within a certain time.
In the men’s race, any runner who completes the race under a time of 2:02:00 will receive a share of $150,000 (£121,000).
The bonus cash prizes are then reduced after each minute, with anyone running the race under 2:03:00 receiving $100,000 (£80,000), $75,000 (£60,000) for under 2:04:00 and $50,000 (£40,000) for those who get home under a time of 2:05:00.
The same format will be followed for the women’s race.
Those who finish the race under a time of 2:17:30 will receive a share of $150,000.
Then $100,000 for each runner who completes the race under 2:18:00, $75,000 for under 2:19:00 and $50,000 for under 2:20:00.
Dutch long-distance runner Sifan Hassan finished first in the women’s elite race
The late Kelvin Kiptum completed the course in a record time of 2:01:15 to claim the top prize in the Men’s Elite race
Who won the 2023 London Marathon?
Kenyan athlete Kelvin Kiptum came home first in the Men’s Elite race, setting a course record of 2:01.15.
Kiptum sadly passed away earlier this year after the car he was driving crashed, killing him and his coach.
Dutchman Sifan Hassan crossed the finish line first, the rest behind the women’s peloton.
With a time of 2:18:33, the record for the women’s race for this course is 2:15:25.
This time was completed in 2003 by British long-distance runner Paula Radcliffe.
Last year’s winner in the wheelchair race was Marcel Hug from Switzerland in the men’s race with a course record of 1:23:44, while in the women’s race the Australian Madison de Rozario finished the race with a time of 1:38:51.