Yep, you read that right, a record-breaking 1,133,813 people have entered the ballot to run the 2026 TCS London Marathon. That makes it officially the most popular marathon on the planet (again!), smashing last year’s record of 840,318 entries.
Out of those:
- 869,803 were UK entries
- 264,010 came from international hopefuls
- Almost an even split of male / female plus 5,044 non-binary runners.
With only around 15,000–20,000 ballot places up for grabs, the odds are tight… but that doesn’t stop us from dreaming, does it?
📅 Ballot results will be announced in early July, and race day is Sunday 26th April 2026. So if you’ve entered, hang tight, it’s nearly time to start refreshing your inbox obsessively (no judgement here).
Why Is London So Popular?
Ask any runner who’s done it, and they’ll tell you – there’s something magical about the London Marathon. From the moment you cross the start line to that final stretch down The Mall, the atmosphere is unbeatable. The crowds, the landmarks, the sheer scale of it all… it’s the kind of race that gives you goosebumps (even if your legs are falling off by mile 22!).
And let’s not forget this year saw 56,640 finishers, officially making it the biggest marathon in the world.
Didn’t Enter – or Think You Won’t Get a Spot?
Don’t panic. There are still plenty of other ways to get yourself to that iconic start line. A few to consider:
- Charity Places These often open soon after the ballot closes. Yes, there’s a fundraising commitment, but it’s a brilliant way to run for a cause that means something to you.
- Good For Age Entry If you’ve bagged a fast enough time at a previous marathon, this could be your ticket in.
- Championship Entry For the super speedy among us!
- Running Clubs & Community Places Many UK clubs receive a small allocation of entries.
- International Tour Operators Especially useful if you’re coming from abroad and want to sort travel + race together.
If you aren’t successful, don’t worry, there are loads of brilliant alternatives to the London Marathon worth considering.
