11°
Cloudy
HI 14°
LO 8°
Heavy mist through Greenwich · light tailwind on the Embankment
London Marathon
The most over-subscribed ballot in the sport. The 2027 ballot drew a record 1.338M+ applicants chasing ~18,000 ballot bibs through the flat heart of the city.
First run 1981. The 2027 TCS London Marathon ballot drew a record 1,338,544 applications. Ballot results will be emailed in early July 2026.
Ballot opens
Apr 24, 2026
Window opens · free to enter
Passed
Ballot closes
May 1, 2026
Last day to submit
Passed
Draw / results
Jul 1, 2026
Winners notified
Next up
Race day
Apr 25, 2027
April 25, 2027
CLOSED MAY 1, 2026 · NEXT YEAR'S WINDOW TBD
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
PAST RESULTS
Ballot history
The 2026 TCS London Marathon ballot drew 1,133,813 applications. Browse every year's breakdown below.
2026 · Record
1,133,813
The largest ballot in race history. A 35% jump on 2025's 840K figure.
View 2026 results →
Applications · 2024 → 2026
578K840K1.13M
'24'25'26
2026
→
1,133,813
Acceptance ~1.50%
46TH EDITION
2025
→
840,318
Acceptance ~2.00%
45TH EDITION
2024
→
578,374
Acceptance ~2.90%
44TH EDITION
2023
→
—
Acceptance unknown
43RD EDITION
2022
→
—
Acceptance unknown
42ND EDITION
2021
→
—
Acceptance unknown
41ST EDITION
CHARITY PLACES
Charity places
The non-ballot route in. TCS London Marathon has 1,000+ official charity partners, with fundraising minimums starting at £2,200 (Anthony Nolan, Health) and rising to £3,000+ for the highest-demand partners. Applications open Oct, right after ballot results.
Partners
1,000+
11 cause areas
Min from
£2,200
up to £3,000
Apps open
Oct
after ballot
Apps close
Jan
most earlier
AN
Browse all charity partners
→
Anthony Nolan
Health
£2,200min raise
Status unknown
NS
NSPCC
Children
£2,200min raise
Status unknown
CW
Children with Cancer UK
Cancer
£2,300min raise
Applications open
SC
Scope
Disability
£2,300min raise
Applications open
BH
British Heart Foundation
Health
£2,500min raise
Applications open
MI
Mind
Mental health
£2,500min raise
Applications open
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 closed at 16:00 on Friday 1 May 2026. Results are emailed by early July 2026. The 2028 ballot is expected to open in late April 2027.
What are the odds of getting into the London Marathon ballot?
Roughly 1.3%. The 2027 TCS London Marathon ballot drew a record 1,338,544 applications, the most in any marathon ballot ever, competing for roughly 18,000 ballot bibs.
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.