London Marathon Deferral: Who Can Keep Their Place?

A London Marathon place can sometimes be deferred, but the answer depends on how you obtained it. UK and international general-ballot entrants can request a deferral. Other entry routes have different rules, and a deferred place still requires a future entry fee.

This guide is for runners who already hold a place and cannot use it. If you did not receive a place, see your options after missing the London ballot.

Which London Marathon entries can be deferred?

The organizer allows requests from UK ballot entrants and eligible running-club or stakeholder place holders, as well as international-ballot entrants.

For ordinary deferrals, an entry already deferred from the previous year cannot be deferred again. Pregnancy and postpartum provisions are an exception.

Which year would you run instead?

For the 2027 event, your allocated day changes the answer:

• Sunday in 2027: The 2028 London Marathon.
• Saturday in 2027: A Sunday place in 2028, 2029 or 2030, at London Marathon Events' discretion.

A Saturday allocation therefore does not guarantee a place the following year. Check the allocated day on your entry before making plans around a replacement race.

What about charity, tour, Good For Age and Championship places?

Charity and tour-operator entries cannot be deferred through the organizer's system. Contact the organization that supplied your place to discuss your options.

Good For Age and Championship entries cannot ordinarily be deferred. Places supplied and paid for by a sponsor also cannot be deferred through the standard route; contact the sponsor. MyWay entries cannot be deferred.

Are there pregnancy or postpartum exceptions?

The enhanced policy allows eligible pregnancy or postpartum deferrals to one of the following three years, including for previously deferred entries. Good For Age and Championship entrants can retain their category without qualifying again. The future entry fee remains payable.

What should you check before requesting a deferral?

Start with your entry confirmation: identify the entry route, allocated day and whether the place was already deferred. Then read the matching section of the official deferral policy.

Keep the deferral request separate from securing the future entry. London Marathon Events says it will email payment instructions. International-ballot entrants pay the future international fee minus the carbon-emissions levy already paid.

Do not reuse a deadline from a previous edition. Follow the current instructions for your own place. For future ballot windows, you can choose London for your free Marathon Ballot alerts.

Sources: London Marathon Events: Unable to take part