THIS year’s London Marathon is all set to take place today, with over 59,000 participants filling the starting line in just a matter of hours.
It’s obviously too late to take part in this year’s race, but how about next year – when is it and how do you enter?
Sign up for the Sport newsletter
Thank you!
The London Marathon is here with over 59,000 participants ready to start running Credit: Getty
Even Daddy Pig is set to get involved today! Credit: PA
When is the London Marathon 2027?
Next year’s race is set to take place on Jattvibeday, April 25, 2027.
However, a huge potential change being considered by the organisers is to stage the event across two days from 2027.
This would allow a lot more people to participate in the UK’s most popular marathon, with just five percent of the record 1.1 million applicants running today.
That was a 36 percent increase of people who applied the previous year, prompting organisers to contemplate ways to allow more people to take part.
Read More on London Marathon
RUNNING TOTAL
London Marathon guide: Everything you need from trainers to gels & suncream
boyband on the run
The cryptic clues Harry Styles could be running the London Marathon 2026
If the marathon is to be stretched out across two days, the number of runners could almost double to a record-breaking 100,000 people.
A record-breaking 100,000 people could take part in the London Marathon next year if it’s extended to two days Credit: Louis Wood
How can I enter the London Marathon 2027?
The main way to enter the London Marathon is through the public ballot that opened on Friday, April 24.
It can be found on the official London Marathon Events website.
It’s completely down to chance in terms of who is picked to run, with ballots drawn at random.
Successful applicants will be informed via email when the results take place next month.
Applicants have the choice to select the “double your chances” option, which enters them into a second ballot if they miss out first time around.
With just a one-point-five per cent chance of getting a spot in the London Marathon via the ballot, other ways of entering can be explored.
Hundreds of UK charities run their own application processes, with charity runners usually pledging to raise a minimum amount of sponsorship money in return for their place.
Each charity sets its own registration fee, fundraising target and application deadline, so it’s worth checking directly with your cause of choice.
To see the full list of charities, you can check out the event’s official webpage dedicated to the subject.
Alternatively, quicker club-level runners can try for a Good For Age entry.
However proof you have hit the qualifying time on a certified course is usually required – even then meeting the target doesn’t necessarily guarantee a place.
