London Marathon 2024 prize money: How much winners will receive in iconic race

The London Marathon will pay out at least $621,000 (£498,000) in prize money to elite athletes this morning with the race breaking new ground by offering equal prize money for the wheelchair events.

And the winners of all four major races - men, women and both wheelchair categories - will bank a cool $55,000 (£44,000) for their efforts.

Second-placed finishers will make $30,000 (£24,000) with those occupying the final spot on the podium getting $22,500 (£18,000).

The return diminishes down as far as 12th place, which will be worth $1,000 (£800) - although the wheelchair events are capped at top-10.

Even more lucrative bonuses are on offer for rapid times. Any woman who runs sub-2:16 or man who goes sub-2:02 will make $150,000 (£120,000). A time of 2:17 or 2:03 will earn runners $100,000 (£80,000), with $75,000 on offer for 2:17:30 or 2:03:30, and $50,000 (£40,000) for 2:18:30 and 2:04.

If the winner runs a world record - currently 2:01:09 for men and 2:17:01 for women - they will get another $125,000 (£100,000) on top of that. Setting a new course record - 2:01:25 and 2:17:01 - will trigger a $25,000 (£20,000) bonus.

The prize money is paid in dollars as it is part of the global Abbott World Marathon Majors series, which also features Tokyo, Boston, Berlin, Chicago and New York City.

Many of the elites will receive appearance fees, though they often include clauses which will see athletes get only a percentage if they fail to finish or reach a certain distance.

The women’s race promises to be one of the fastest of all time with nine women who have run sub-2:20, headlined by world record holder Tigst Assefa.

While Kenenisa Bekele has the fastest PB in the men’s field, Tamirat Tola is the favourite with a fascinating British men’s race in store as two remaining spots for this summer’s Olympic Games remain up for grabs.

Yorkshire-based Emile Cairess is tipped to run the second fastest time for a Brit, with debutant Marc Scott and proven championship performer Callum Hawkins chasing the Olympic standard.

An estimated 50,000 people representing 158 countries are expected to start the race at Greenwich, with the wheelchair events setting off at 9:05am, followed by the elite women’s field at 9:25am and men plus the masses at 10am.

Race organisers also hope to break last year’s fundraising return of £63m with Samaritans UK the 2024 official charity.

London Marathon 2024 prize money

(The wheelchair events are capped at top 10 finishers)

1 $55,000 2 $30,000 3 $22,500 4 $15,0005 $10,0006 $7,5007 $5,0008 $4,0009 $3,00010 $2,00011 $1,50012 $1,000