11°
Cloudy
HI 14°
LO 8°
Heavy mist through Greenwich · light tailwind on the Embankment
LONDON
/
UNITED KINGDOM
/
FOUNDED 1981
London Marathon
The most over-subscribed ballot in the sport. The 2026 edition drew 1.13M+ applicants — a world record — chasing ~18,000 ballot bibs through the flat heart of the city.
First run 1981. The 2026 TCS London Marathon ballot drew 1,133,813 applications — a world record for any marathon — with less than 5% of applicants accepted. The 2027 ballot is open now, closing 16:00 on Friday 1 May 2026, with results emailed by early July.
Ballot opens
Apr 24, 2026
Window opens · free to enter
Passed
Ballot closes
May 1, 2026
Last day to submit
Next up
Draw / results
Jul 1, 2026
Winners notified
Race day
Apr 26, 2026
April 26, 2026
Passed
APPLICATIONS OPEN · CLOSES MAY 1
Climate
Past three years on race day
Historical conditions on the course — what to expect, what to pack.
13°
Partly sunny
HI 16°
LO 9°
Warmest London edition since 2018 · runners overheated mile 18+
9°
Light rain
HI 11°
LO 6°
Steady drizzle the full distance · cool, ideal for fast times
Course·
Flat loop — Greenwich to The Mall
Greenwich → The Mall
Mild, 8–14°C
Elevation
Course profile
A flat, fast course — total ascent under 100m, with the only meaningful rise in the first 5km out of Blackheath.
Total ascent·76m
Total descent·82m
Highest point·42m @ 3 km
Qualifying
How you get in
General entry is by ballot. Good-for-age times offer a separate, faster route in. A new 'double your chances' option enters you into a second draw at a reduced fee.
<5%
56,000 bibs · ballot
Apply now →
M2:52
W3:38
Open category (18–34)
See full standards →
£2,000–£3,000
via official charity partners
View partners →
Good-for-age standards
| Age group | Men | Women |
|---|---|---|
| 18-34 | 2:52:00 | 3:38:00 |
| 35-39 | 2:52:00 | 3:38:00 |
| 40-44 | 2:57:00 | 3:43:00 |
| 45-49 | 3:02:00 | 3:46:00 |
| 50-54 | 3:07:00 | 3:53:00 |
| 55-59 | 3:12:00 | 3:58:00 |
| 60-64 | 3:34:00 | 4:23:00 |
| 65-69 | 3:52:00 | 4:53:00 |
| 70-74 | 4:52:00 | 5:53:00 |
| 75-79 | 5:07:00 | 6:13:00 |
| 80-84 | 5:27:00 | 6:38:00 |
| 85-89 | 6:10:00 | 7:10:00 |
| 90+ | 7:20:00 | 7:45:00 |
Photos
On the course
Scenes from the 2025 edition — the finish on The Mall and the crowds lining the course.
Finish · 2025
Crowd · 2025
FAQ
Common questions
When does the 2027 London Marathon ballot close?
The 2027 TCS London Marathon ballot is open now and closes at 16:00 on Friday 1 May 2026. Results are emailed by early July 2026.
What are the odds of getting into the London Marathon ballot?
Less than 5%. The 2026 TCS London Marathon ballot drew 1,133,813 applications — a world record for any marathon — competing for roughly 18,000 ballot bibs. The 2027 ballot is expected to draw a similar volume.
How much does it cost to enter the 2027 London Marathon ballot?
Entry is £79.99 for UK runners and £225 for international runners (includes carbon offset). A 'double your chances' option is £49.99 for UK entrants and enters you into a second draw if unsuccessful in the first.
How does the 'double your chances' option work?
Selecting the 'double your chances' option at a reduced £49.99 UK fee automatically enters you into a second ballot if you're unsuccessful in the first. Applicants unsuccessful in both draws receive a complimentary hydration vest valued at £100+.
What is the Good-for-age time for the London Marathon?
Good-for-age standards for open runners are 3:00 for men and 3:45 for women, with age-graded adjustments. Meeting the standard provides a separate, higher-odds entry route — though cutoffs can tighten in oversubscribed years.
What is the London Marathon charity minimum?
Official charity partners typically require £2,000–£3,000 in fundraising, with some charities setting higher minimums. Charity bibs are the most reliable non-ballot entry route given the <5% ballot odds.