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[ Wire ] · Dispatch · Nov 01

London Marathon Tour Operators: How Guaranteed Entry Packages Work

With the ballot for the 2027 TCS London Marathon closed, international runners looking for a place in the 2027 TCS London Marathon have an official guaranteed entry route outside charity fundraising: authorized international tour operators. London Marathon Events (LMEL) partners with approved travel agencies worldwide to provide guaranteed race entries bundled into travel packages.

Here is how official international tour operator packages work, which partners are authorized, and the key rules governing tour bibs.

Who is the official overseas tour operator?

Sports Tours International serves as the official overseas tour operator of the TCS London Marathon. They provide guaranteed entries, premium accommodation packages, and comprehensive support to runners residing in the United States, Ireland, France, and selected international territories.

In addition, Marathon Tours & Travel is the Official Hotel Partner of the event, offering package options with prime hotel locations, transport to the Start Area, and flexible payment plans.

Which tour operators are authorized by region?

LMEL lists official tour operators by region on its International Participants page. Operators listed by region include:

  • North America: Sports Tours International, Marathon Tours & Travel, Fitness International Travel, I Run the Globe, Achieve Racing, Destiny2Sport, Marathon Adventures, and Runbuk (USA); Dream Travel, Contact Amerique, I Run the Globe, and The Travel Agent Next Door (Canada); Costamar, Edenia Viajes Universo, Fernando Pineda, German Silva Tours, Maratones y Viajes, and Plaza Maratones (Mexico).
  • Europe: Sports Tours International (France, Ireland); interair, DERTOUR, Ali Schneider Marathonreisen, Laufreisen, and schulz sportreisen (Germany); Born2Run, Maratone nel Mondo by No Stop Viaggi, Terramia SRL, Ovunque Running, and Rosa & Associati (Italy); Loopreizen by Global Running, ATPI Sports Events, and TUI Sport Nederland (Netherlands); Springtime Travel (Denmark, Finland, Norway, Sweden); Fernando Pineda Travel Service, Endeavor Maratones Internacionales, and Marathinez Tours (Spain).
  • Oceania: Marathon Tours & Travel, Travelling Fit, RunFun Travel, Keith Prowse Travel, Tri Travel, and Adventure Time Travel (Australia); Marathon Tours and Marathon World Travel (New Zealand).
  • Asia: Athletes’ Journey Pte Ltd (Singapore), JTB, HIS Sports, Kinki Nippon Tourist, and Purpose Japan (Japan), Active Holiday Company (United Arab Emirates), Active Marathon Holidays (India), and Cerita Lari (Indonesia).
  • South America: Kamel Turismo, Biarritz Turismo Sports, and Travel Run (Brazil); Carreras Internacionales (Argentina, Chile, Colombia, Peru); IMICH and Marathinez Tours (Chile).
  • Africa: Just Run Tours, Penthouse Travel Sporting Tours, and Vreni Welch Tours (South Africa); Active Marathon Holidays (Kenya).

LMEL directs runners to find their nearest official tour operator on that page.

What is included in an official tour package?

Official tour operators offer guaranteed entry and all-in-one packages that go beyond Event Day. Depending on the partner, packages include accommodation and comprehensive support. For example, Official Hotel Partner Marathon Tours & Travel offers exclusive rates at hotels in prime locations, flexible payment plans, and optional transport to the Start Area on event morning.

What rules apply to tour operator bibs?

All entries, including tour operator places, follow the TCS London Marathon General Conditions of Entry:

  • No transfers or bib swapping: Participation is personal. Swapping, selling, or transferring your place or allowing another person to wear your number is strictly prohibited. Violating these rules results in annulled results and a ban of up to five years from all future LMEL events.
  • Deferrals: The Conditions of Entry state that the deferral option for withdrawn runners does not apply to charity or guaranteed places and some other categories.
  • Bib collection at the Running Show: All participants must collect their bib number with built-in timing device from the TCS London Marathon Running Show at ExCeL London prior to Event Day. Event Packs are not sent by post and cannot be collected on Marathon Day. If you cannot attend, a nominated person can collect your pack by presenting a copy of your ID, your written consent, and their own ID.
  • Course cut-off times: On Saturday 24 April 2027, the Finish Line on The Mall will close at 17:30. On Sunday 25 April 2027, the secondary Finish Line in Green Park will close at 23:59:59.

To compare upcoming dates and entry requirements across all major races, check our London Marathon page.

Sources: London Marathon Events: International Participants, London Marathon Events: FAQs, London Marathon Events: General Conditions of Entry

Sources London Marathon Events