London Marathon 2024 Prize Money… How much the winner of the 26.2 mile London race will walk away with the share of the £120,000 pot
Runners in this year’s London Marathon could win a significant amount of money if they manage to finish in the top 12 out of 50,000 entrants.
The annual race is set to take place this Sunday, April 21 with a record number of runners expected to take part in the 26.2 mile long race.
An event for all abilities, some will take it more seriously than others, with some of the world’s best athletes heading to the English capital for a chance to win first place, as well as the hefty check that comes with crossing from the finish line.
Although many amateurs just want to show up and compete, once they realize how well they could do if they manage to place, they might just be inspired to take it a little more seriously.
Here’s everything you need to know about how much top runners can earn from the famous London Marathon, with two separate prize pools of $150,000 (£121,000) for men and women.
For each category in this year’s marathon there will be a prize pool of $150,000 (£121,000).
50,000 people made up of professionals and amateurs are expected for this 26.2 mile race.
What is the prize money for the 2024 London Marathon?
Surprisingly, the London Marathon prize money is awarded in US dollars, as opposed to the host country’s national currency, the British pound.
There are four cash prizes in total, one each for the men’s race, the women’s race, the men’s wheelchair race and the women’s wheelchair race.
The total prize money for all categories is $150,000 (£120,352.50)… here’s how the huge prize money 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 any bonuses for completing the race within a certain time?
Yes, bonus cash prizes are awarded to runners who manage to complete the course within a certain time.
In the men’s race, any runner who finishes the race in under 2:02:00 will receive a share of $150,000 (£121,000).
Bonus cash prizes are then reduced after each minute from then on, 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 return home within a time of 2:05:00.
The same format is 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 any runner who finishes the race in less than 2 hours 18 minutes, $75,000 for a time under 2 hours 19 minutes and $50,000 for a time under 2 hours 20 minutes.
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 take home the top prize in the Elite Men’s race.
Who won the 2023 London Marathon?
Kenyan athlete Kelvin Kiptum came first in the elite men’s race, setting a course record time of 2:01.15.
Kiptum sadly died earlier this year after the car he was driving crashed, killing himself and his coach.
Dutchwoman Sifan Hassan crossed the finish line first, ahead of the rest of the women’s peloton.
By recording a time of 2:18:33, the women’s race record on this course is set at 2:15:25.
This time was achieved by British long-distance runner Paula Radcliffe in 2003.
Last year, the winner of the wheelchair race was Swiss Marcel Hug in the men’s race with a course record of 1:23:44, while in the women’s race, Australian Madison de Rozario finished the race with a time of 1:38:51.
