How to Get a Place in the London Marathon 2027: Every Entry Route Explained
The 2027 London Marathon is a record-breaking two-day event with 100,000 places. Here are the six ways in.
- The 2027 TCS London Marathon is a one-off two-day event called The Double, running Saturday 24 and Sunday 25 April 2027, with a record 100,000 runners across the two days.
- The public ballot for 2027 has closed. Results land in early July 2026, and successful runners are randomly assigned to either the Saturday or the Sunday.
- If you missed the ballot, a charity place is now the most accessible route in. Expect to commit to around 2,000 pounds or more in fundraising.
- Faster runners can skip the lottery entirely through Good for Age or Championship Entry, which guarantee a place if you hit the qualifying time.
- Affiliated running club places and official tour operator packages round out the six routes covered in this guide.
The 2027 London Marathon is a record-breaking two-day event
Something has never happened before in the history of the race. The 2027 TCS London Marathon is not one day. It is two. London Marathon Events has confirmed a one-off format called The Double, with the race running across Saturday 24 and Sunday 25 April 2027. For this single year, the world's most popular marathon becomes the biggest marathon ever staged.
The numbers are huge. Across the two days, 100,000 runners will cross the start line, roughly double the usual field of about 56,000. The expansion was driven by demand organisers could no longer ignore. A record 1.33 million people entered the ballot, far more than any single day could hold, so organisers split the event in two.
Here is the important part for anyone planning their year. If you get a place, you do not pick your day. Successful runners are randomly assigned to either the Saturday or the Sunday, and you cannot run both days in person. If you want to mark the full Double, you can add the virtual TCS London Marathon MyWay on the day you are not racing in London, and complete a second 26.2 miles in your own time.
Both days follow the same iconic course, from Greenwich to The Mall, past Cutty Sark, Tower Bridge, Canary Wharf, and the finish in front of Buckingham Palace. The event keeps its World Marathon Major status, so your finish counts the same as any other year. The 2027 Charity of the Year is the National Autistic Society. This two-day setup is a one-off, and London returns to its usual single-day format in 2028.
So what does this mean for getting a place? More places exist than ever, which is good news, but the ballot still attracted well over a million entries, so the odds of a lottery win remain long. The smart move is to understand all six routes in, then pick the one that matches your situation. Let us walk through each.
Route 1: The public ballot
The public ballot is the classic way into London. It is a free lottery. You enter, you wait, and a computer decides. For 2027 the ballot is already closed. It ran in the spring of 2026 and pulled in that record 1.33 million entries. If you entered, your result arrives in early July 2026, by email and in your account on the official London Marathon website.
If you are successful, you will be told whether you have been randomly assigned to the Saturday or the Sunday. You do not choose. You then pay your entry fee to confirm your place. If you are not successful, do not lose heart. A rejection from the ballot is the starting point for almost everyone who runs London, not the end of the road.
What to do if you missed or lost the ballot
Because the 2027 ballot has closed, you cannot enter it now. Your options for 2027 are the other five routes in this guide, with charity places being the most accessible. For future years, the ballot usually opens for a short window in the spring, often in April, the week of the current year's race. Registration is free, so it is worth setting a reminder so you do not miss it.
London has historically offered a rejection reward for ballot entrants who opt in, such as a chance to buy official kit. Always read the exact terms in your ballot account, because the perks change year to year. The headline for 2027 is simple, though. The ballot ship has sailed, so focus your energy on a route you can still act on today.
Route 2: Charity places
Now that the ballot is closed, a charity place is the most accessible way to line up in April 2027. It is also one of the most rewarding. You run for a cause, you raise money that does real good, and in return you get a guaranteed place in the race. For tens of thousands of runners every year, this is how London happens.
Here is how it works. Registered charities receive a set number of guaranteed places from London Marathon Events, plus they can offer their own places. In exchange for one of these, you agree to raise a minimum amount for that charity. The typical fundraising target sits at around 2,000 pounds or more, though it varies. Some smaller charities ask for less, some flagship charities ask for more. You will usually also pay a small registration fee to secure your spot.
The 2027 Charity of the Year is the National Autistic Society, but you are not limited to that one charity. Hundreds of organisations offer London places, from major household names to tiny local causes close to your heart. The best approach is to pick a cause you genuinely care about, because you will be asking friends, family, and colleagues to back you for months.
How to find and secure a charity place
Start by browsing the official London Marathon list of partner charities, and check the websites of causes that matter to you. Many open their 2027 application forms in the summer and autumn of 2026, often right after the ballot results land in July, when thousands of rejected runners come looking. Popular charities fill their places fast, so apply early.
Be honest with yourself about the fundraising commitment before you sign. A 2,000 pound target is achievable with a plan, a good story, and steady effort across several months, but it is a real commitment. Most charities ask you to sign an agreement, and some expect a portion of the total guaranteed even if your public donations fall short. Read the terms, then go all in on a cause you believe in.
Route 3: Good for Age
If you are a strong club-standard runner but not quite elite, Good for Age is your golden ticket. It rewards consistent, quick marathon running with a guaranteed place, no lottery involved. You simply have to prove you have run a qualifying time for your age and gender at an eligible marathon within the accepted window.
The qualifying standards get more generous as you get older, which recognises that a fast time at 60 is a different achievement to a fast time at 30. As a rough guide to the kind of bar Good for Age sets, recent standards have asked for times in the region of sub-3:05 for younger men and sub-3:45 for younger women, easing across the age bands from there. Always check the exact official 2027 standards for your specific age group before you rely on a time, because organisers review and adjust these numbers.
Good for Age places are also capped. In recent years demand has outstripped the allocation, which means simply beating the standard has not always guaranteed entry. When that happens, the fastest times relative to the standard are prioritised. So treat your qualifying time as the entry ticket to a queue, and aim to beat the standard with room to spare if you can.
How to apply for Good for Age
You apply directly through the official London Marathon website during the Good for Age application window, which typically opens alongside or shortly after the ballot. You will need to provide details of the qualifying race, including the date and your verified finish time, run on an accurately measured course. Keep your proof handy. If your application is accepted, you confirm and pay your entry fee, the same as any other guaranteed-place runner.
Route 4: Championship Entry
Championship Entry is the route for genuinely fast club runners. The standards are tough, and they are the same regardless of age, which is what sets this apart from Good for Age. For 2027 the long-standing Championship standards are sub-2:45 for men and sub-3:15 for women, run in a qualifying marathon within the accepted period on a recognised course.
Hit those times and you earn entry to the Championship section, which comes with its own dedicated start and a place among the quickest amateurs in the field. It is a badge of honour as much as a route in. For runners chasing it, the standard itself becomes the goal of a whole training block.
If you are close to these times but not quite there, this is exactly where a structured training plan earns its keep. Shaving minutes off a marathon at this level is about smart, progressive training over months, with the right balance of easy miles, threshold work, and quality long runs. More on how Edge supports that further down.
How to apply for Championship Entry
Championship Entry applications go through the official London Marathon process, and you must be a member of an affiliated club and provide verified proof of your qualifying time. As with Good for Age, the qualifying performance has to come from an eligible, accurately measured marathon inside the stated window. Confirm the exact dates and accepted races for 2027 on the official site before you bank on a result.
Route 5: Affiliated running club places
If you are a member of a running club affiliated to UK Athletics, there is a route that many runners overlook. Each year London Marathon Events allocates a number of guaranteed places to affiliated clubs through a club ballot. The places are distributed to clubs based on their UK Athletics affiliated membership numbers, and then the club decides how to share them out.
This is a quieter, friendlier lottery than the giant public ballot. Because the pool is limited to your club's members rather than the whole country, your individual odds can be much better, especially in a smaller club where fewer people are chasing each place. Many clubs run their own internal draw or have a fair system that rewards volunteering, loyalty, or members who have been unlucky in the public ballot.
How to get a club place
First, make sure you are a paid-up member of a running club that is properly affiliated to UK Athletics, and that your affiliation is registered before the cut-off your club sets. Then ask your club secretary or committee how they handle their London allocation. Each club runs its own process, so the earlier you put your name forward and the more involved you are in club life, the better your chances. If you are not in a club yet, joining one is a great move for your running anyway, and it quietly opens this door for future years.
Route 6: Tour operator and international packages
The sixth route is the one international runners and time-poor travellers reach for. Official tour operators hold a guaranteed allocation of London Marathon places, which they bundle into travel packages. Buy the package, get the place. There is no lottery and no fundraising minimum, which is why it is popular with runners outside the UK and with those who simply want certainty.
A typical package combines your guaranteed race entry with accommodation near the course, and often extras like airport transfers, a pasta party, race-day transport, and on-the-ground support. The trade-off is cost. You are paying a premium for the guaranteed entry and the convenience, and packages can run to a significant sum, especially in a record-demand year like 2027.
How to book a tour operator place
Use only official, authorised tour operators. London Marathon Events publishes a list of its International Travel Partners and official tour operators by region on its website, and booking through an approved partner is the only way to be sure your place is genuine. Be wary of any reseller offering a London bib outside official channels, because bib transfers are not permitted and you risk losing your money and your place. Check the official list, then book directly with the named operator for your country.
Which route is right for you?
With the ballot closed for 2027, your decision tree is fairly clear. Start with the question of speed. If you have recently run a marathon faster than the Championship standard of sub-2:45 for men or sub-3:15 for women, apply for Championship Entry. If you are quick but not that quick, check whether your time meets the Good for Age standard for your age group and apply there.
If you are not chasing a qualifying time, the question becomes about commitment and budget. Happy to fundraise around 2,000 pounds for a cause you care about? A charity place is your most accessible and most meaningful route, and it is the one most likely to get you to the start line for 2027. In a running club affiliated to UK Athletics? Ask about the club ballot before you do anything else, because it costs nothing to put your name in. And if you live abroad or simply want guaranteed entry with the travel sorted, an official tour operator package removes all the uncertainty for a higher price.
Use the interactive picker below to get a quick recommendation based on your own answers, then read the matching section above in full before you commit.
London 2027 entry route picker
Answer four quick questions and we will point you to your best route in. This is guidance, not a guarantee. Always check the official standards.
How the random Saturday or Sunday assignment works
This is the part of the 2027 event that catches people out, so it is worth being crystal clear. When you secure a place through any route, you do not choose your race day. London Marathon Events randomly assigns successful runners to either Saturday 24 April or Sunday 25 April 2027. You find out which day you have been given when your place is confirmed.
You cannot run both days in person. The Double refers to the event being staged across two days, not to individual runners racing twice on the road. If the idea of completing two marathons that weekend appeals, the official option is to add the virtual TCS London Marathon MyWay and run your second 26.2 miles in your own time, on a route of your choosing, with your result logged through the official app.
Practically, this means you should keep both days clear in your diary until your day is confirmed. Book flexible travel and accommodation if you can, or wait until you know your day before booking anything non-refundable. The course is identical on both days, from Greenwich to The Mall, so wherever you land, you get the full London experience.
What to do the moment you get a place: start training
Getting in is the easy part. Crossing the finish line on The Mall is the goal, and that is built over months of training, not bought with an entry fee. The moment your place is confirmed, count back from your race day and start a structured plan. For most runners, a focused marathon block runs 16 to 20 weeks, which for an April 2027 race means starting around the turn of the year.
A good plan does a few things at once. It builds your weekly mileage gradually so your body adapts without breaking down. It includes a long run that climbs steadily towards the 18 to 20 mile mark. It mixes in easy running, some faster threshold work, and crucially, proper rest and recovery. It also leaves room for life, because the best plan is the one you can actually stick to across a busy winter.
If 2027 will be your first marathon, do not be intimidated. Tens of thousands of first-timers finish London every year. The key is to start early, build slowly, and trust the process. If you are chasing a Good for Age or Championship time, the same principles apply, just with sharper quality sessions and a higher mileage base.
How Edge helps you train for London 2027
Once you have your place, Edge is built to get you to the start line ready and to the finish line smiling. Edge is the UK training app with more than 17,000 members, and it is made to fit around real life. Here is how it supports a London 2027 build.
You get a coach-built starting plan within 24 hours, then the plan is enhanced by Edge AI as you go. It is shaped around your goal day, your current fitness, and the time you have to train. If life gets in the way, Flexi Swap lets you move sessions around so a missed run does not derail your week.
Edge is a native Apple Watch training app, and it pushes your structured workouts straight to your Garmin and your Coros, then imports your completed sessions back so everything stays in one place. During your runs you get lean voice prompts to keep you on target, without drowning out the world around you. You also get general strength and mobility work to keep you durable through a long marathon block, plus clear progress tracking so you can see the fitness building week by week.
And you are never on your own. Edge AI is there for quick answers around the clock, and you can speak to a real coach when you want a human in your corner. There is a free 7-day trial, then it is 19.99 pounds a month or 119.99 pounds a year. Whichever route gets you your 2027 place, Edge is how you make the training count. We are making fitness feel good for everyone.
Frequently asked questions
When are the London Marathon 2027 ballot results announced?
Ballot results for the 2027 TCS London Marathon are announced in early July 2026. You will be notified by email and through your account on the official London Marathon website, and successful entrants will be told whether they have been randomly assigned to the Saturday or the Sunday.
Can I still enter the London Marathon 2027 ballot?
No. The public ballot for 2027 closed in spring 2026 after a record 1.33 million entries. If you missed it, your routes in for 2027 are charity places, Good for Age, Championship Entry, an affiliated club place, or an official tour operator package. The ballot for future years usually reopens in the spring.
How much do I have to fundraise for a charity place?
It varies by charity, but a typical minimum target is around 2,000 pounds or more, and you will often pay a small registration fee on top. Some smaller charities ask for less and some flagship causes ask for more, so check each charity's agreement carefully before you sign up.
What are the Good for Age and Championship qualifying times for 2027?
Championship Entry standards are sub-2:45 for men and sub-3:15 for women, the same across all ages. Good for Age standards vary by age and gender and get more generous as you get older, in the region of sub-3:05 for younger men and sub-3:45 for younger women. Always confirm the exact official 2027 standards before you rely on a time.
Why is the 2027 London Marathon held over two days?
A record 1.33 million people entered the ballot, far more than a single day could accommodate. To offer more places than ever, London Marathon Events staged a one-off two-day event called The Double, on Saturday 24 and Sunday 25 April 2027, with 100,000 runners in total. The race returns to a single day in 2028.
Can I choose whether I run on the Saturday or the Sunday?
No. Successful runners are randomly assigned to either day, and you find out which when your place is confirmed. You cannot run both days in person, though you can add the virtual TCS London Marathon MyWay on the other day to complete a second marathon in your own time.
Is the London Marathon 2027 still a World Marathon Major?
Yes. The two-day format does not affect the event's World Marathon Major status. Your finish in 2027 counts exactly the same as any other year, on the same Greenwich to The Mall course used on both days.
How long before the race should I start training?
Most runners use a structured plan of 16 to 20 weeks, which for an April 2027 race means starting around the new year. First-timers should start early and build mileage slowly. A plan like the coach-built starting plan from Edge, enhanced by Edge AI, gets you organised from day one of your block.
