The London Marathon is one of the biggest races in the world. In fact, it set a world record this year with 1,133,813 applications for entry! Of those, 264,011 applications came from non-British residents. It’s too late to sign up for the 2026 London Marathon now, which takes place in April each year, but there’s still time left to learn more about the race! Plus, we’ll provide a tentative schedule for signing up for the 2027 London Marathon so you can start planning your upcoming marathon year.
runners will participate in the London Marathon
Key Details of the 2026 London Marathon
The London Marathon has been held annually since 1981. It’s one of the most popular marathon races in the world and is part of the Abbott World Marathon Majors’ top six courses. Here, you’ll find the most critical information about the race.
Date & Time
The 2026 London Marathon will be held on Sunday, April 26th, 2026.
The official start time hasn’t yet been released, but if it follows the 2025 schedule, the elite wheelchair race will begin at 8:50 AM, the elite women’s race will begin at 9:05 AM, and the elite men’s race and general runners will begin at 9:35 AM.
Runners are typically released in waves beginning at this time. Runners have eight hours to finish the race (which brings the end time to 5:35 PM, if the general race starts at 9:35 AM).
Find out when the Chicago Marathon is and how to enter.
London Marathon 2026 Date
April 26, 2026 9:30 am
The 2026 London Marathon Begins!
Location and Race Route
The marathon course is an excellent way of sightseeing around London. Runners begin the race in Greenwich Park, in central London. From there, they take a tour of the city, seeing sights like:
- Cutty Sark, near the very beginning of the course (mile 6)
- Tower Bridge, near the halfway point (mile 12)
- The skyscrapers near Canary Wharf (mile 18)
- The Tower of London and the River Thames (mile 22)
- Big Ben and the London Eye near the Embankment (mile 25)
The route finishes up at The Mall near Buckingham Palace.
The course is known for its relative flatness and ease, making it a popular route for marathoners. Many runners set personal best times due to the course’s flatness.
Entry Process and Lottery System
Like many other marathons, entry into the London Marathon is extremely competitive. There are several pathways for entry, which is great for more opportunities to enter, but can be confusing to understand.
All registrations should be done through the official London Marathon website (or tour company website, if that’s the route you choose). Runners must be at least 18 years old by the day of the race to enter and participate.
Here, we’ll break down the various entry categories for easier understanding.
Discover how to get into the Berlin Marathon.
Ballot Entry
The majority of runners attempt to register with a ballot entry, which is a lottery system. This is the entry system that saw more than 1.1 million entries for the 2025 marathon (and remember, there can be only about 60,000 runners!).
Entering the ballot is free. If you’re selected, only then will you need to pay the entry fee. For international participants, that’s £225 (about USD $300).
There are two separate ballot pools: the UK ballot for United Kingdom residents and the international ballot for non-UK residents.
due to the highly competitive draw
Charity Entries
The central tenet of the London Marathon is to raise money for charities. Each year, the marathon raises several million GBP for up to 500 charities, and each year, one charity is highlighted as Charity of the Year. In 2026, the chosen charity is Marie Curie, but other verified charities include:
- Sense
- Smile Train
- Breast Cancer Now
- USA for UNHCR
- Children with Cancer UK
- NSPCC
- Mental Health Foundation
- Bowel Cancer UK
- Brain Research UK
- Mind
- Target Ovarian Cancer
- Starlight Children’s Foundation
- Young Lives vs Cancer
- Epilepsy Society
- Pancreatic Cancer UK
- And many more
Charities focus on providing care to those with mental health difficulties, cancer, and other illnesses.
Each charity will have a different goal for runners who want to gain entry through donation. The amount can range, but the minimum is usually around USD $2,500. You will also need to pay a registration fee to the charity.
It’s an expensive ticket in, but your “entry fee” is for a very good cause. Runners who sign up for a charity entry are all but guaranteed a spot in the race, provided they raise the required funds and can pay their entry fee.
Discover how to get a place in the New York City Marathon.
Good for Age Entry
The marathon has implemented a strategy to allow the fastest runners in different age categories to enter for a guaranteed place in the marathon. Entrants must meet minimum standards for qualifying times and beat out the other applicants. This includes the Championship Entry registration. However, these types of entry are only open to British and UK residents.
Sports Travel Agencies
The London Marathon partners with certain tour companies from all over the world to offer guaranteed entry into the race. For USA residents, the partnering company is Sports Tours International. Keep in mind that these tour companies typically fill up fast and usually have a limited number of entries available! This is also a very expensive option, with prices ranging from $4,200 to more than $7,500 per person.
Running is not just a sport; it's a way of life. It's a constant battle against your own limits, pushing yourself to be better every day.
Paula Radcliffe, professional long-distance runner & London Marathon winner
TCS London Marathon MyWay
Can’t make it to Britain, or can’t race on Sundays? The MyWay option allows runners to use an app to track their pace and distance, so they can complete a virtual marathon anywhere, on any route, on the same day as the London Marathon. Those who can’t participate on Sunday (for example, because of religious reasons) can contact the marathon officials and work out an alternate solution.
Participants get a finisher’s T-shirt and medal, just like the runners in London.
The 2026 MyWay option is sold out, but you can look forward to the 2027 entry period if this suits you. The fee for the virtual race is about $55.
Find out more about the Boston Marathon.
2027 Entry Timeline
How can you get started in applying for the 2027 London Marathon? The official timeline of application deadlines for 2027 hasn’t yet been released, but we can give you an estimated schedule based on previous years’ timelines.
Here is a breakdown of the most important key dates when applying for the London Marathon.
End of April 2026
Ballot Entry Opens
The ballot entry for the next year’s event usually opens a day or two before the current year’s race. This is your chance to enter the London Marathon 2026 lottery for the 2027 draw.
Beginning of May 2026
Ballot Entry Closes
Ballot entry is usually only open for about a week.
Beginning of May 2026
Charity Applications Open
Runners can submit applications for a charity entry.
July 2026
Ballot Winners Confirmed
Those who won a place via the ballot entry will be notified.
July 2026
Charity Place Applications Close
Runners who didn’t win in the ballot entry and who didn’t previously apply for a charity place may be able to apply for a last-minute spot if the notification date comes early enough.
August 2026
Charity Place Selection Announced
Some charities will accept applicants right away, while others need to look through applicants and make a decision. Applicants who secure a place with a charity will be notified by August.
October / November 2026
Begin Training
Runners should begin their training regimen in October or November to be conditioned by April.
Race Day Information
What can you expect in London on race day? Going to a foreign country to participate in an event can seem daunting. Thankfully, with events such as this, there will be many officials and volunteers ready to assist you in finding your way around and making sure you go where you need to be.
The marathon starts at Greenwich Park and ends at The Mall near Buckingham Palace.
In Advance
Before race day, runners need to retrieve their Event Pack. Event Packs and race bibs are distributed at the London Marathon Running Show (aka Expo) from Wednesday, April 22 to Saturday, April 25, 2026, at the ExCel London.
You should make every attempt to pick up the pack in person using your ID, but if you need to have someone else collect it for you, you can use the information given in your Participant Guide to make arrangements.
Find out how to prepare for the Tokyo Marathon.
Before the Race
Runners should arrive at their designated start area in Greenwich Park early. Waves will be assigned with your Event Pack, so you’ll know exactly when and where to meet up with the other runners.
The general racers will likely set off at 9:35 AM, if the schedule follows the previous year. So, you should aim to be at the starting line by at least 8:30 AM to make sure you get your bearings and line up in the right place.
Athletes are released in four groups: elite women, wheelchair (men and women), elite men, mass racers.
Supporting family and friends can join other spectators all along the race course. Popular points for spectatorship include key spots around Cutty Sark, Tower Bridge, Canary Wharf, and the finish at The Mall.
Transportation services will be modified and adjusted due to road closures. The Tube (London Underground), buses, and DLR will be the best way to get around. Make sure you and your spectators check their websites in advance to find out about adjusted schedules and routes.
During the Race
The London Marathon offers adequate support for runners throughout the race. Services include:
- Hydration stations are placed at regular intervals throughout the course
- Medical tents across the course for first aid and runner support
- Bathroom stops at multiple points across the route, with considerations for people with bathroom urgency issues, bladder incontinency, and menstruation needs
Runners should take care to monitor their pace and run according to their training plan.
Post-Race
After you cross the finish line, you can pick up your finisher medal and optional T-shirt, as well as refreshments.
Many participants gather at the finish area with friends and family for photos, visiting sponsor booths, and attending awards ceremonies. Some runners participate in post-marathon events, usually run by sponsors, but many gather their awards, take a small rest, and then head out to get a well-deserved lunch (and then probably take a nap!).
Historical Context and Notable Marathon Races
Behind today’s incredible success lies a 45-year history of building up the race’s reputation and capacity. Events like the London Marathon don't create themselves! They take hard work and dedication from passionate folks who want the event to succeed.
Discover the other major world marathons and how to enter them!
History of the London Marathon
In 1979, Chris Brasher (Olympic champion and journalist) and John Disley (athlete) were inspired after participating in the New York Marathon. They recognized that the camaraderie and joy they saw in New York should be spread around the world as much as possible.
They decided to gather the resources required to host a similar event in London, and the first London Marathon was launched in 1981. More than 20,000 people applied to participate, but they could only accept a fraction. 6,747 people ended up running in the first marathon, marking a great success.
The number of participants has steadily increased every year. After the pandemic forced the marathon to shut down for all but professional runners, applications have poured in exponentially.
Not just an athletic event, the founders and other administrative members have crafted the marathon into a charity fundraising powerhouse. They’ve raised over £1 billion for various charities in the United Kingdom and the United States since the race's inception.
Today, the London Marathon is one of the six Abbott World Marathon Majors, along with Boston, Chicago, New York, Berlin, and Tokyo.
Sydney is the newest marathon to join the Abbott Marathon Marjors!
Record Holders
The London Marathon has allowed many British and international runners to perform at their best, in part due to the flat course. Runners across the world are getting faster each year at every marathon. This combination means there have been remarkable outcomes at the London course, especially in recent years!
Here are just some of the incredible records set by runners in London:
| Athelete | Nationality | Record Set | Time | Year |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Kelvin Kiptum | Kenya | Men's course record | 2:01:25 | 2023 |
| Tigst Assefa | Ethiopia | Women's world marathon record | 2:15:50 | 2025 |
| Paula Radcliffe | United Kingdom | 1st world record for women's marathon | 2:15:25 | 2003 |
| Khalid Khannouchi | United States | World marathon record | 2:05:38 | 2002 |
| Marcel Hug | Switzerland | Course record for male wheelchair racers | 1:23:44 | 2023 |
| Catherine Debrunner | Switzerland | Course record for female wheelchair racers | 1:38:24 | 2022 |
The London Marathon is a test of endurance, like any marathon. The culture of community and charity built up around the event is what makes it one of the best marathons that most runners ever compete in. Athletes from all over the world love running through the streets of London, seeing the historic sights, and being cheered on by thousands of supporters. Though it’s incredibly difficult to get in, the effort to secure a spot is well worth the trouble.
Hopefully, you'll be lining up at Greenwich Park soon, ready to accomplish something amazing!
References
- New ballot world record for 2026 TCS London Marathon. (2025). In www.londonmarathonevents.co.uk. https://www.londonmarathonevents.co.uk/london-marathon/article/new-ballot-world-record-2026-tcs-london-marathon
- TCS London Marathon. (2026). In www.londonmarathonevents.co.uk. https://www.londonmarathonevents.co.uk/london-marathon
- Tigst Assefa Breaks the Women’s-Only Marathon World Record at the 2025 London Marathon. (2025). In Runner’s World. https://www.runnersworld.com/news/a64596155/tigst-assefa-wins-2025-london-marathon-women-results
Summarize with AI:
Did you like this article? Leave a rating!
Loading...
