The essentials
Madrid and London marathons both race on April 26, 2026, with established champions returning.
Two major spring marathons are scheduled for the same date in April 2026. The Madrid Marathon will hold its 48th edition on April 26, taking place in Madrid, Spain. Defending champions Mitku Tafa and Naom Jebet are expected to feature prominently in the race.
Simultaneously, the London Marathon 2026 is also scheduled for April 26, with organizers expecting over 59,000 participants. This represents a significant mass participation event in the British capital. Sebastian Sawe and Tigst Assefa are the defending champions of the London Marathon, bringing international elite talent to the April lineup.
Both marathons showcase the strength of spring marathon running across Europe, with established defending champions and substantial participant numbers marking each event.
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Four elite runners defend titles across dual April marathons
Mitku Tafa and Naom Jebet return as Madrid Marathon defending champions, while Sebastian Sawe and Tigst Assefa defend their London Marathon titles. Both pairs bring proven elite performance to the April 26 races, establishing competitive benchmarks for their respective events and drawing international attention to spring marathon racing.
Madrid marathon tradition meets London's mass participation model
Madrid's 48th edition emphasizes the race's long-established heritage in European marathoning. London's 59,000+ participants highlight a mass-participation approach, demonstrating different models of marathon organization. Both April 26 events represent distinct traditions within European spring running calendars.