General scene of spectators and runners at the Rainbow Road section of The TCS London Marathon on Sunday 2nd October 2022

Join us at Rainbow Row

Celebrate inclusivity in true carnival style at Rainbow Row

Created in 2022 to bring energy, entertainment and inspiration to one of the toughest parts of the TCS London Marathon route, Rainbow Row is a joyous place to champion inclusivity and the LGBTQI+ community – and it’s back for 2023.

Located just past the 21-mile mark on what is usually Butcher Row, Rainbow Row transforms a 250m stretch of Limehouse into a marathon party for participants, providing much-needed motivation to help them cross the Finish Line on a high.

Uniting all communities

At the 2022 TCS London Marathon, Rainbow Row housed two vibrant stages that featured an uplifting Cheer Zone, powered by official lead vehicle supplier Nissan, and an incredible DJ set by Radio 1’s Adele Roberts.

Jeremy Joseph, owner of London’s G-A-Y and Heaven nightclubs and founder of the G-A-Y Foundation, worked with London Marathon Events and others to plan the all-new Rainbow Row for the 2022 TCS London Marathon, which he then went on to complete himself. His twelfth marathon, Joseph took on the 26.2-mile challenge to raise thousands of pounds for charities that represent the diversity of Rainbow Row, as well as last year’s Charity of the Year, the British Heart Foundation.

“Coming off the main road and seeing Rainbow Row made my day,” said Jeremy. “Rainbow Row is not about getting more members of the LGBT community taking part in the marathon – it’s about everyone and bringing all communities together.”

Rainbow Row is not about getting more members of the LGBT community taking part in the marathon – it’s about everyone and bringing all communities together.
Jeremy Joseph
Owner of London’s G-A-Y and Heaven nightclubs and founder of the G-A-Y Foundation

A kaleidoscope on the course

Adele Roberts DJing on stage at Rainbow Row

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Hamid Vaghefian, Head of Community Engagement at London Marathon Events, recalled the buzz of the inaugural Rainbow Row, which will be back to illuminate Limehouse again this April.

“We had Adele Roberts DJing for part of the day and a real carnival atmosphere with a range of LGBTQI+ performers, from drag artists to cheerleaders, dancers to acrobats,” said Hamid. “The route itself was adorned with Pride flags and a range of decor that brought real colour and vibrancy to an otherwise bland section of the route.”

If you’re taking on the TCS London Marathon this year, we hope to give you the lively boost you need at Rainbow Row. You won't miss it!