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Daily Mirror
27-04-2025
- Entertainment
- Daily Mirror
London Marathon 2026 - everything you need to know about applying for a place
Dream of running the 2026 London Marathon? Here is everything you need to know - from cost, ballot closing date, charity places and other options if you are unsuccessful Running 26.2 miles through the iconic streets of London is a test of endurance, but some would say the real challenge is simply getting a place on the start line. Every year, hundreds of thousands dream of pounding the pavements past landmarks like Tower Bridge and Buckingham Palace. But with demand far outstripping supply, securing a bib for the London Marathon has become almost a competition in itself. Around 56,000 runners took on the 2025 race this weekend, chosen at random from an overwhelming 800,000-plus hopefuls who applied. If you catch the excitement on TV and find yourself thinking you want to apply, good news - you can already start planning your entry for the 2026 event. READ MORE: London Marathon: Joel Dommett shares wild pre-marathon trip as Joe Wicks smiles ahead of race When is the 2026 London Marathon? The 2026 TCS London Marathon will take place on Sunday, April 26. The event typically takes place towards the end of April, when the weather is at its peak for hitting the streets of London. How to enter via the ballot The main way for most runners to get into the marathon is through the official ballot. It's famously democratic - and famously tough. Entry is now live on the London Marathon website. If you're successful in the draw, you'll need to pay an entry fee of £79.99 to confirm your spot. When entering, you also have the option to make a charitable donation of £49.99. This money goes to charity, whether or not you secure a place. Those who donate are entered into a second ballot for 3,000 extra places and receive an exclusive training top. The ballot will close at 5pm on Friday May 2, 2025, so make sure you get your name in before then. Option to run the Brighton Marathon If London doesn't work out, there's a consolation prize. Ballot entrants can sign up for the Brighton Marathon, scheduled for April 12, 2026, at a discounted rate of £69.99. It's another iconic marathon experience - this time with sea views at the finish line. For those desperate to run a marathon, this is a great option to avoid total disappointment when the ballot is drawn. Good for age entry If you're a speedy runner, you can try to qualify under the "Good for Age" scheme. Around 6,000 places are reserved for athletes who meet strict time standards based on age and gender. Qualifying times must be achieved between October 1, 2024, and September 30, 2025. The times are challenging - for example, a man under 40 might need a sub-3-hour marathon - but they offer a reliable way in without relying on luck. Charity places Another route is through charity places. Many organisations have guaranteed entries and will offer them in exchange for a fundraising commitment. However, targets can be high - often running into the thousands - and if you don't hit your target, you might not be allowed to run. Fundraising for a good cause is incredibly rewarding, but it's worth considering the extra time and effort needed alongside your training. What about the elites? At the very top of the running world, elite athletes are offered places directly, sometimes with lucrative appearance fees. Unless you have a world-class personal best under your belt, though, the ballot, good for age, or charity routes are your best bet.
The Sun
27-04-2025
- Sport
- The Sun
London Marathon 2026 ballot: How to apply to participate in NEXT year's huge annual race
MISSED out on the London Marathon 2025? Well, don't panic as details of how to enter the London Marathon 2026 ballot have been revealed! 1 Here is everything you need to know about how to apply for next year's race if you're up for it. How can I apply for the London Marathon 2026? To apply for the London Marathon 2026, head to the official TCS London Marathon website and sign up through the 'public ballot'. The ballot typically opens the day before the current year's event - so this year, it is likely to open on Saturday, April 26. However, it is expected to close on Friday, May 2, so you'll need to be quick. Results of the ballot will be received in July. For the 2025 race, a record-breaking 840,318 people entered the ballot and there are usually only around 17,000 places allocated to the ballot. The rest are spread across charity, good for age and tour operators. If you still don't get a place, you're not left entirely empty handed – you'll be sent a training shirt as a consolation prize. If you choose to donate your entry fee, you only pay £49.99 instead of the full £69.99. What are the other ways to enter the London Marathon 2026? Good for Age Good for Age is only open to UK residents with a total of 6,000 places available. These places are split 50/50 between men and women and they are allocated on a fastest first basis. That means that hitting the required time for your age group isn't a guarantee that you'll get a place. Charity places If Good for Age doesn't quite work out, you can apply for a place at the London Marathon 2026 by applying for a charity place. You must commit to a minimum fundraising amount. Tour operators International runners can get a guaranteed place at the London Marathon by booking with an official your operator. These packages typically include your entry, plus a hotel and race hospitality packages. When is the London Marathon 2026? A date is yet to be confirmed for what will be the 46th edition of the anuaul huge race. But it is more than likely to be at the end of April similar to other years.
The Irish Sun
27-04-2025
- Sport
- The Irish Sun
London Marathon 2026 ballot: How to apply to participate in NEXT year's huge annual race
MISSED out on the London Marathon 2025? Well, don't panic as details of how to enter the London Marathon 2026 ballot have been revealed! Advertisement 1 Thousands will all be hoping to book their place in the 2026 London Marathon Credit: Getty Here is everything you need to know about how to apply for next year's race if you're up for it. How can I apply for the London Marathon 2026? To apply for the London Marathon 2026, head to the official TCS London Marathon website and sign up through the 'public ballot'. The ballot typically opens the day before the current year's event - so this year, it is likely to open on Saturday, April 26. However, it is expected to close on Friday, May 2, so you'll need to be quick. Advertisement Results of the ballot will be received in July. For the 2025 race, a record-breaking 840,318 people entered the ballot and there are usually only around 17,000 places allocated to the ballot. The rest are spread across charity, good for age and tour operators. If you still don't get a place, you're not left entirely empty handed – you'll be sent a training shirt as a consolation prize. If you choose to donate your entry fee, you only pay £49.99 instead of the full £69.99. Most read in Sport Live Blog What are the other ways to enter the London Marathon 2026? Good for Age Advertisement Good for Age is only open to UK residents with a total of 6,000 places available. These places are split 50/50 between men and women and they are allocated on a fastest first basis. That means that hitting the required time for your age group isn't a guarantee that you'll get a place. Charity places If Good for Age doesn't quite work out, you can apply for a place at the London Marathon 2026 by applying for a charity place. Advertisement You must commit to a minimum fundraising amount. Tour operators International runners can get a guaranteed place at the London Marathon by booking with an official your operator. These packages typically include your entry, plus a hotel and race hospitality packages. Advertisement Read more on the Irish Sun When is the London Marathon 2026? A date is yet to be confirmed for what will be the 46th edition of the anuaul huge race. But it is more than likely to be at the end of April similar to other years.
Time Out
24-04-2025
- Sport
- Time Out
How to enter the London Marathon 2026 ballot – deadline, cost and everything you need to know
So. You've been inspired by the tens of thousands of sporty people taking to London's streets for the marathon, and you're thinking you might want to give it a go. Maybe you're battling through the road closures to watch live, witnessing peak performance and wondering if next year, it could be you high-fiving strangers as you struggle across Tower Bridge. Maybe you're on the sofa with your feet up, watching on TV and saying 'I could do that' to anyone who'll listen. Maybe you're just excited at the prospect of bagging a free marg after a cool 26.2. But hold your horses! You've got to get in first. Before you put down the crisps, mainline protein shakes and don your best trainers, here's the deal on what to expect when you're applying for the capital's most prestigious jog. Here's our winning guide to this year's London Marathon. When is the London Marathon 2026? Next year's race will be held on Sunday April 26. When is the London Marathon ballot announced? If you're limbering up for 2026, you'll need to act fast: the ballot opens tomorrow, Friday April 25, and closes just a week later, on Friday May 2. You'll find out in June or July if you've got in, giving you around two months to look up just how long 26.2 miles actually is and let regret settle in. Entry fees The standard entry fee for the ballot is £79.99, up from £69.99 in previous years. If you choose to donate that money to the London Marathon charity at the point of entry, it's just £49.99. Prices for international entrants are higher. Prize money 2025's race winners will receive a tidy £41,000, and a mega £112,000 bonus will go to any man who completes the course in less than 2:02:00 or any woman with a time under 2:15:00. What are the chances of securing a spot? Ballot winners are drawn at random, but it's usually very oversubscribed. Last year, over 840,000 people applied for the 17,000 ballot spaces available, meaning there was a 2 percent chance of securing a spot through this system. If you choose to donate your fee and don't get a spot in the first ballot, you're automatically entered into the second one, and your chances of securing a space are at least doubled. If you don't get through either ballot, your entry fee will go to the London Marathon Foundation and you'll be sent a winter running top worth £60. Win win (even if your hopes of winning the actual event have been dashed). How to improve chances of securing a spot As we mentioned above, donating your fee means you'll be entered into a second ballot if you're unsuccessful in the first one. But you'll still be fighting it out with hundreds of thousands of keen runner beans, so if you can get in with a charity, or with the Good for Age qualification, you could be better placed to gain a spot on the starting line. Good for Age qualification This is a special way to get a bib, involving demonstrating your running prowess in context of your age. It's open to UK residents only, and there are 6,000 spots up for grabs. Essentially, you'll need to prove that you can run the 26.2 miles in an allotted time, according to your age range. For example, a man aged between 40 and 44 would need to clock in at under 2:57:00, and a woman of the same age would need to run it in 3:43:00, at an official marathon on a certified course any time before September 30 2025. If you're over 90, you've got over 7 hours to work with. However, getting in under the time stated for your age group doesn't guarantee you one of the coveted spaces - you'll have to be super speedy, as they're allocated on a fastest first basis. Good for Age applications open in October 2025. Running for a charity You can feel even more smug if you run the marathon for a charity, as you'll be raising lots of cash for a worthy cause. As with every other entry point, charity places tend to be very oversubscribed. It's worth picking a charity you genuinely have ties to so your application demonstrates your passion to run for them. You'll have to commit to a minimum fundraising amount, so start drafting those group chat pleas for sponsorship now - you'll get to remind all your loved ones and colleagues just how fit and kind-hearted you are on a regular basis! Tour operators for international runners Non-UK residents can get guaranteed spots by paying tour operating groups. The price usually runs into the multiple thousands for entry, hotels and fancy hospitality packages. There you have it. Everything you could possibly need to know if watching the event from your sofa this weekend has you wondering just how hard 26.2 miles could be, actually.
