How to Get Into the London Marathon: Every Way to Secure a Place

How do you get a place in the London Marathon?

There are several ways to get a place in the London Marathon. The main one is the public ballot, which is free to enter but heavily oversubscribed, with a record 1,338,544 people applying for 2027. If you miss out, other routes include charity places where you raise money for a good cause, Good for Age and Championship entries for runners who hit a qualifying time, places through affiliated running clubs, and official international tour operators.

The 2027 race is the biggest in the event's history. For the first time it runs across two days, Saturday 24 and Sunday 25 April 2027, with 100,000 places on offer. Even with a field that size, demand far outstrips supply, so it is worth understanding every route before you set your heart on one. Many runners apply to the ballot and quietly line up a charity place or a qualifying attempt as a backup.

Below is a quick comparison of the six main routes, followed by a closer look at how each one works. Entry criteria, fees and fundraising targets change year to year, so treat this as a map of your options and confirm the current detail on the official London Marathon website before you commit.

How does the London Marathon ballot work?

The public ballot is the simplest and most popular way in. It is free to enter and open to almost anyone, which is exactly why it is so heavily oversubscribed. For 2027 a record 1,338,544 people applied, all hoping for one of a limited number of ballot places. Entry usually opens for a short window after the previous year's race, so it pays to know when that window lands and to apply early.

You enter online through the official London Marathon website, provide your details and wait for the result. Because places are drawn at random, there is no advantage to training harder or running faster before you apply. Many runners enter every year and treat a place as a lovely surprise rather than a plan. If you are not selected, you will often be pointed toward other routes, so a rejection is really just an invitation to look at charity, qualifying or club entries instead.

The exact opening dates, the number of ballot places and how any rejection perks work can change from year to year. Always confirm the current process on the official London Marathon website rather than relying on last year's detail.

How do charity places work?

Charity places are one of the most reliable ways to secure a spot, especially if you miss out in the ballot. Registered charities are given a number of guaranteed places, which they offer to runners in return for a commitment to raise money for their cause. In practice you apply directly to a charity, agree to a fundraising target and, once accepted, you have your place confirmed.

The appeal goes beyond simply getting in. Running for a cause you care about gives your training real meaning, and many charities support you with a running vest, a cheering point on the course and fundraising advice. The trade-off is the commitment to hit your fundraising minimum, so it is worth choosing a charity whose work matters to you and being honest with yourself about what you can raise.

Fundraising minimums differ from charity to charity and can change each year, and popular charities fill their places quickly. Check the fundraising target and any registration fee with the charity directly, and confirm the timeline on the official London Marathon website.

What are Good for Age and Championship entries?

Good for Age and Championship entries reward runners who can already put in a strong performance. Both ask you to have recorded a qualifying time at an eligible race, but they are aimed at slightly different runners.

Good for Age places are set by age group, so the standard you need to hit depends on your category. If you have run a recent marathon inside the time for your age group, you may be able to claim a place without going through the ballot. Championship entries sit a step above, with a faster qualifying standard designed for club-standard runners who want a competitive start near the front of the field.

Both routes have limited places and specific rules about which races and time windows count. The qualifying times, eligible events and application deadlines are reviewed regularly, so check the exact standard for your age group and category on the official London Marathon website before you plan a qualifying attempt.

What are your options if you miss out in the ballot?

Missing out in the ballot is the norm rather than the exception, so it is not the end of the road. The most common next step is a charity place, which is open to almost everyone willing to fundraise and offers a near-guaranteed spot for a cause you believe in.

If you are a quicker runner, a Good for Age or Championship entry can get you in on merit, provided you can hit the qualifying standard. Members of an England Athletics affiliated running club have another door: clubs receive a small allocation of places, usually shared among members through their own internal draw, so it is worth asking your club how theirs works. Runners based outside the UK can look at official international tour operators, who bundle a guaranteed place with travel and accommodation.

Whichever route you take, the training is the same challenge, and that is where good preparation makes the difference. A plan that flexes around your life keeps you consistent through the long build-up. Edge gives you a fully personalised plan across running, strength, HIIT and mobility, ready within a day, and you can message a real coach anytime, whether you already have a place or you are training while you keep trying to get one. Edge supports more than 18,000+ members, from first-timers to seasoned racers.

Frequently asked questions

How do you get a place in the London Marathon?

There are several ways to get a place in the London Marathon. The main one is the public ballot, which is free to enter but heavily oversubscribed, with a record 1,338,544 people applying for 2027. If you miss out, other routes include charity places where you raise money for a good cause, Good for Age and Championship entries for runners who hit a qualifying time, places through affiliated running clubs, and official international tour operators.

Is the London Marathon ballot free to enter?

Yes, the public ballot is free to enter, which is a big part of why it is so popular and heavily oversubscribed. A record 1,338,544 people applied for 2027. You enter online through the official London Marathon website during the entry window and wait to find out if you have been selected. Because it is a random draw, everyone who enters has the same chance regardless of how fast they run.

How much do you have to fundraise for a charity place?

Fundraising minimums vary from charity to charity and can change each year, so there is no single figure that applies to every place. When you apply to a charity you agree to a fundraising target for their cause in return for a guaranteed spot. Check the specific target, and any registration fee, directly with the charity, and confirm the wider timeline on the official London Marathon website.

What is the difference between Good for Age and Championship entries?

Both reward a qualifying performance, but Championship entries require a faster standard. Good for Age places are set by age group, so the time you need depends on your category. Championship entries sit above that, aimed at club-standard runners who can run a quicker qualifying time and want a competitive start near the front. Exact times change, so check the current standards on the official London Marathon website.

When is the 2027 London Marathon?

The 2027 London Marathon is the biggest in the event's history. For the first time it runs across two days, Saturday 24 and Sunday 25 April 2027, with 100,000 places on offer. Even with a field that size, demand far outstrips supply, so it is worth understanding every route in before you apply. Always confirm current dates and entry details on the official London Marathon website.