Latest news with #TCSLondonMarathonBallot
RNZ News
28-04-2025
- Sport
- RNZ News
London Marathon breaks world record for number of finishers
Runners along The Mall during the London Marathon. Photo: photosport London Marathon set a world record for the number of finishers, eclipsing the previous mark of 55,646 in New York last year, organisers said. A total of 56,640 runners crossed the finish line, Guinness World Records announced. Kenyan Sabastian Sawe won the men's elite race on Sunday (UK time) while Ethiopian Tigst Assefa shattered the women's-only world record. "We are thrilled to have broken the Guinness World Records title," Hugh Brasher, CEO of London Marathon Events, said in a statement on Monday. "It was a fantastic occasion to see 56,640 people cross the iconic Finish Line on The Mall throughout Marathon Day. We hope the thousands of people watching yesterday were inspired to register in the 2026 TCS London Marathon Ballot." The London Marathon was already the most popular in terms of ballot entries, with 840,318 people applying for the 2025 race. It is also the world's largest annual one-day fundraising event with almost $3 billion raised for charity since 1981. -Reuters
Metro
25-04-2025
- Sport
- Metro
London Marathon 2026 ballot opens today - here's how to take part
Good luck if you're hoping to run next year's race (Picture: Zac Goodwin/PA Wire) As runners gear up for this year's London Marathon on Sunday, the have ballots opened today for next year's race. Anyone keen to take on the 26.2 miles challenge around the capital in 2026 has until Friday, May 2 to sign up. A world record-breaking 840,000 people entered the ballot for this year's race, making it officially the most popular marathon on the planet. Around 56,000 people are expected to take part. Hugh Brasher, chief executive of London Marathon Events, said: 'The London Marathon is one of the most iconic and inclusive sporting events in the UK and is unique in the fact that anyone can be part of it. 'You can stand on the same Start Line as the legends of the sport and be cheered on by the hundreds of thousands of people who line the streets. 'It is a day like no other when the whole of humanity comes together, and entering the 2026 TCS London Marathon Ballot can be the first step towards being part of it.' More than 1.25million people have completed the circuit since the race was launched in 1981, with runners having raised more than £1billion for charity. How do I sign up for the London Marathon 2026? London was packed full of runners on Sunday (Picture: Getty) The 2026 London Marathon will be held on Sunday, April 26 next year. Prospective marathon runners can sign up by entering a public ballot, with winners drawn at random. When does the ballot open? The ballot for the 2026 London Marathon opened today, Friday, April 25, and will stay open for a week until Friday, May 2. How much does it cost? If you are a UK resident, and choose to donate your entry fee to support the work of the London Marathon Foundation during the ballot process if your entry is unsuccessful, your entry free is reduced from £79.99 to £49.99. If you get offered a place after being successful, if you live in the UK and didn't opt to donate your entry fee when applying, you'll need to pay the full entry fee of £79.99. What happens if I don't get a place in the first ballot? The finishing line of the London Marathon at The Mall (Picture: Getty Images) If you don't get a place in the main ballot, not all hope is lost. You will automatically be entered into a second ballot, and you will at least double your chance of getting a place through that second draw. If you are successful in either the first or second ballot, your entry is prepaid and confirmed. How do I know if I'm in the ballot? First of all, you'll receive a confirmation email when you apply, as well as a payment receipt if you donate your entry fee. Organisers of the marathon recommend checking your junk folder if you don't see a confirmation email soon after applying. The results of the 2026 London Marathon ballot will be emailed to all entrants in July 2025 – the exact date has not been confirmed. What if I'm unsuccessful in both? Runners love to dress up in silly costumes for the event (Picture: HENRY NICHOLLS/AFP) If you are unsuccessful you will receive a 'premium winter running top' which retails at £60, and the money you entered will be donated to the London Marathon Foundation. Top-rated marathons in the UK if you don't get in to London If you aren't lucky enough to be able to race in London next year, never fear as there are plenty of other options across the UK. From Manchester Marathon, billed as the flattest and most friendly, to the Great Welsh Marathon offering stunning views of the Llanelli Millennium Coastal Park, there's bound to be another option for you. The Brighton Marathon is held a few weeks before the London Marathon, or you could head to Blackpool and take in all of the seaside resort's tourist spots en route. Edinburgh Marathon is also known for its super-flat route, making it a great option for beginners, or if you want more of a challenge the multi-terrain New Forest Marathon takes you through the heart of the stunning national park. Get in touch with our news team by emailing us at webnews@ For more stories like this, check our news page. Arrow MORE: Gordon Ramsay admits he's only dined in his 'too posh' restaurant twice in 25 years Arrow MORE: Neighbours pay tribute to 'kind and lovely' man found dead in flat Arrow MORE: Graffiti on Tube leaves carriages looking like 'New York subway in the 1980s'
The Independent
25-04-2025
- Sport
- The Independent
Ballot opens for 2026 ahead of London Marathon on Sunday
The ballot for next year's TCS London Marathon has opened with this year's event just two days away. A world record 840,000 people entered the ballot for this year's marathon, the 45th since it launched in 1981. The demand means the London event, which takes place on Sunday, is officially the most popular marathon on the planet. The ballot has opened a day earlier this year than in 2024 when applications were taken from the Saturday morning before the marathon on Sunday April 21. This year's ballot will be open until Friday May 2 which means the window to apply is a day longer than it was in 2024. Hugh Brasher, chief executive of London Marathon Events, said: 'The London Marathon is one of the most iconic and inclusive sporting events in the UK and is unique in the fact that anyone can be part of it. 'You can stand on the same Start Line as the legends of the sport and be cheered on by the hundreds of thousands of people who line the streets. It is a day like no other when the whole of humanity comes together, and entering the 2026 TCS London Marathon Ballot can be the first step towards being part of it.' A record-breaking total of more than 56,000 people are expected to take part in Sunday's TCS London Marathon. Among them will be Tanzeela Khalid, 29, a Year 2 teacher at Nelson Primary School, in Ladywood, Birmingham, who gained a place through the Team TCS Teachers scheme which offers places to teachers who use running to inspire children to be active. Ms Khalid said: 'When you think about the marathon, there's no other place where you'd be running the exact same thing as an elite person would. 'It doesn't matter what your pace is, everyone has the same goal and everyone gets to do the same thing. 'It doesn't matter if you're elite, whether you're a slow runner, whether you're walking it, the goal is the same for everyone. Everyone gets the same achievement.' Next year's TCS London Marathon will take place on Sunday April 26 2026. The ballot is a completely random draw with the results scheduled to be announced by July. To enter, visit
Evening Standard
25-04-2025
- Sport
- Evening Standard
Ballot opens for 2026 ahead of London Marathon on Sunday
'You can stand on the same Start Line as the legends of the sport and be cheered on by the hundreds of thousands of people who line the streets. It is a day like no other when the whole of humanity comes together, and entering the 2026 TCS London Marathon Ballot can be the first step towards being part of it.'
The Herald Scotland
25-04-2025
- Sport
- The Herald Scotland
Ballot opens for 2026 ahead of London Marathon on Sunday
The demand means the London event, which takes place on Sunday, is officially the most popular marathon on the planet. The ballot has opened a day earlier this year than in 2024 when applications were taken from the Saturday morning before the marathon on Sunday April 21. This year's ballot will be open until Friday May 2 which means the window to apply is a day longer than it was in 2024. Hugh Brasher, chief executive of London Marathon Events, said: 'The London Marathon is one of the most iconic and inclusive sporting events in the UK and is unique in the fact that anyone can be part of it. 'You can stand on the same Start Line as the legends of the sport and be cheered on by the hundreds of thousands of people who line the streets. It is a day like no other when the whole of humanity comes together, and entering the 2026 TCS London Marathon Ballot can be the first step towards being part of it.' A record-breaking total of more than 56,000 people are expected to take part in Sunday's TCS London Marathon. Primary school teacher Tanzeela Khalid will run Sunday's London Marathon after gaining a place through the Team TCS Teachers scheme (Handout/PA) Among them will be Tanzeela Khalid, 29, a Year 2 teacher at Nelson Primary School, in Ladywood, Birmingham, who gained a place through the Team TCS Teachers scheme which offers places to teachers who use running to inspire children to be active. Ms Khalid said: 'When you think about the marathon, there's no other place where you'd be running the exact same thing as an elite person would. 'It doesn't matter what your pace is, everyone has the same goal and everyone gets to do the same thing. 'It doesn't matter if you're elite, whether you're a slow runner, whether you're walking it, the goal is the same for everyone. Everyone gets the same achievement.' Next year's TCS London Marathon will take place on Sunday April 26 2026. The ballot is a completely random draw with the results scheduled to be announced by July. To enter, visit
