This year a stretch of the world-famous TCS London Marathon route will be transformed into Rainbow Row to celebrate the LGBTQIA+ community, promote inclusivity and create a unique party atmosphere that will give participants the ultimate lift at a point when they need it the most.

Rainbow Row will be located on what is usually Butcher Row in Limehouse, a 250m stretch of road that is just past the 21-mile mark on the TCS London Marathon course.

London Marathon Events (LME) is working closely with the LGBTQIA+ community to create a carnival atmosphere along Rainbow Row for this year’s event on Sunday 2 October.

Hugh Brasher, Event Director of the TCS London Marathon, said: “Rainbow Row is going to be an incredible new section of the TCS London Marathon course that will be full of energy and entertainment, giving our participants a great motivational lift at arguably the toughest point of the marathon.

“But, more importantly, Rainbow Row continues our ongoing commitment to make the TCS London Marathon a truly inclusive event for all. We have worked in collaboration with members of the LGBTQIA+ community to design this new section of the route and we’re really looking forward to showcasing it to participants, spectators and TV viewers around the world.”

Jeremy Joseph, the owner of G-A-Y and Heaven nightclubs in London, who has run the London Marathon on 11 occasions, has been working with LME, alongside others, to plan Rainbow Row. 

Official lead vehicle supplier Nissan will also support Rainbow Row by bringing an inclusive LGBTQIA+ Cheer Zone to the area, where Radio 1 DJ and Nissan diversity and inclusion ambassador Adele Roberts will be playing a set.

Joseph will be running his 12th London Marathon this year and aims to raise £110,000 for 10 charities that represent the diversity of Rainbow Row, as well as the official TCS London Marathon Charity of the Year, the British Heart Foundation.

He said: “Rainbow Row is so important because participants are from all walks of life, including sexualities and genders. The love and support we show each other on Marathon Day is incredible and now we have a focal point where love wins before the painful last stretch to the Finish Line.”

Butcher Row, where Rainbow Row will be located, runs from Commercial Road in the north to The Highway in the south. Participants pass the 21-mile mark on Commercial Road before turning into Rainbow Row and then exiting on to The Highway, back towards the Finish Line in central London.