If you watched the London Marathon this weekend and found yourself feeling a little emotional (yep, I cried too), you’re not alone. The buzz, the stories, the sheer effort on display – it’s hard not to feel inspired. Whether it was the elite athletes flying through the streets of the capital or the everyday heroes running for loved ones and charities close to their hearts, the London Marathon has a way of making us all believe we could do it too.
And guess what? You can. If you’re now thinking, “Right, that’s it, I’m doing this!” – then the London Marathon ballot is your next step. It’s how most people try to bag a place in one of the world’s most iconic races. So, here’s everything you need to know about the London Marathon 2026 ballot.
How do you enter the ballot?
It’s super easy, just head to the official London Marathon website and fill out the entry form before the ballot closes. For the 2026 race, the ballot opened on Friday 26 April 2025 and closes on Friday 2 May 2025 – so don’t hang about if you’re serious!
There’s no fee to enter the ballot itself – you’ll only pay if you get a place.
When do you find out if you got a place?
Once you’ve entered the ballot for the 2026 London Marathon, the waiting game begins. You’ll find out if you got a place in July 2025, although the exact date hasn’t been confirmed yet.
You’ll receive an email either way, whether you’re in or not, so keep an eye on your inbox (and maybe your spam folder, just in case). And remember, whether it’s a “yes” or “no,” you’re part of an amazing community just by entering.
Is the London Marathon ballot a lucky dip?
Yes, the ballot is completely random. It’s not first come, first served, and it doesn’t matter if you enter at 9am on the first day or 11:59pm on the final day. Everyone has an equal chance.
To give you an idea of the odds: for the 2025 race, over 840,000 people entered the general ballot… and only around 17,000 spots were available. That’s roughly a 3% success rate. So if you don’t get in, you’re definitely not alone.
But here’s a bonus bit of hope: if you don’t get a place in the main draw, you’ll automatically go into a second-chance ballot later in the year. So you actually get two rolls of the dice!
How much does it cost to run the London Marathon?
If you’re one of the lucky ones who secures a place through the ballot, the entry fee is £79.99. That’s a £10 increase on previous years, but for many runners, it’s worth every penny to be part of such an unforgettable day.
What is the london marathon cut-off time?
Worried about how long it’ll take you? The good news is that the London Marathon is one of the most inclusive races out there. The official cut-off time is 8 hours, which means you’ve got plenty of time to run, jog, walk, or a mix of all three.
The organisers keep the roads open for as long as possible, and even if you fall behind the pace, no one will force you off the course — you might just need to move onto the pavements or carry on without road closures and chip timing. But the medal, support, and finish line vibes will still be waiting for you at the end.
So don’t stress about speed — stay determined, keep moving forward, and you’ll get there!
What if I don’t get a place?
If luck isn’t on your side this time, don’t worry, there are other ways to get involved:
- Charity places: Around 25,000 spots are given to charities. You’ll usually need to commit to a fundraising target, but it’s a brilliant way to run for a cause that matters to you.
- Good for Age places: If you’re a speedy runner with a qualifying time, check out the GFA entry process.
- Club places: If you’re part of a UK Athletics-affiliated running club, your club may have a ballot for a few guaranteed spots.
- International ballot and tour entries: For those outside the UK, there are separate options too.
When is the 2026 London Marathon?
The 2026 race is set for Sunday 26 April 2026 – mark it in your calendar now! As usual, it’ll cover the full 26.2-mile route through central London, taking in all the iconic sights like Tower Bridge, Canary Wharf, and Buckingham Palace.
Start times vary depending on your category (elite, wheelchair, mass start, etc.), so make sure you know when and where you need to be nearer the time.
The London Marathon really is something special, whether you’re watching, supporting, or running it yourself. And if it’s not your year? Don’t let it stop you. There are SO many brilliant races out there, and lots of different ways to be part of the marathon magic. Whatever happens, you’re already a runner. You’ve got this!
