London Marathon 2014: Where to Watch, Who is Running and the Weather Forecast

The capital will be awash with racing enthusiasts for the London Marathon on Sunday when thousands of runners will take to the streets to take on the 26-mile challenge.

Professional athletes, amateurs and charity fundraisers will all take part in the event, which is in its 34th year. Some 40,000 people, including spectators, will flood the city to watch the event.

Wheelchair racers will be first off, from the Blue Start on Shooters Hill Road, Blackheath, at 8.55am, followed by Paralympians at 9 and the Elite women at 10.15.

Runners for the mass start get on their marks for 10am, running from Blue, Red (Greenwich Park, Charlton Way) and Green (St John's Park on the edge of Blackheath).

Mile 1, Blackheath: A great place to catch the race is at the starting point in Blackheath in Greenwich, southeast London, although it means an early start to grab the best spot. Transport to the area will be very busy. You can check which tubes, buses and trains to get on the Transport for London website.

Mile 6, Maze Hill/Cutty Sark: The race will pass Cutty Sark, which is overlooked by Greenwich Park.

Mile 12, Tower Bridge: This is a very popular spot so it will be extremely busy. The party atmosphere is well worth the early start.

Mile 13, The Highway: The runners will pass this point twice as they double back on themselves in Shadwell, near the Isle of Dogs.

Mile 24, Blackfriars Underpass: This is a good place to spot celebrities, who have previously manned the Lucozade drinks station here. If you can get a good spot, the exhausted runners will appreciate your support for the last two miles.

Mile 25, Embankment: Close to the finish line, the riverside view is electric and a great place for families.

Mile 26, The Mall: The final stretch of the race is a place of joy and tears - which is to be expected after the gruelling marathon. If you have friends or family running, you can meet them on the right-hand side of the course.

The professional athletes include Mo Farah, although his decision to run has been questioned by rivals after he collapsed at the end of the New York Half Marathon last month. Kenyan runners Wilson Kipsang, the marathon world record holder, and Emmanuel Mutai, who holds the London Marathon course record, will also be taking part.

Geoffrey Mutai, who won the New York Half Marathon, will also run alongside Ethiopian champions Abel Kirui and Tsegaye Kebede.

According to the Met Office, there will be good conditions for the runners - dry but not too hot. It is expected to be around 14C with sunny intervals.