Over a million runners entered the London Marathon ballot this year. And for once, that number isn’t making us quite so worried about our chances of getting a spot – it’s The Double! We’re sure you already know, but just in case you missed it, the 2027 event is happening across two days – Saturday 24th April and Sunday 25th April. This means more spots are up for grabs.

We’ve heard that the ballot results are coming out today, so keep an eye on your inboxes. And if you’ve already got the news, here’s what to do next – whether you’re thrilled to have a place or disappointed that you missed out.

What to do if you didn’t get into the London Marathon

If you want to run a marathon, and even if you specifically really want to run the London Marathon (although there are other spring marathons available), you still have plenty of options. Don’t give up hope just yet!

Charity places for the London Marathon

Many UK charities are given entries by the TCS London Marathon. These places are allocated to runners who agree to raise a minimum amount of money for that charity. The amount you’ll need to raise will depend on the charity you are fundraising for but will often be upwards of £3000.

Charity places are in high demand so if this is a route you’re interested in, get in touch with the charities that you’re most passionate about now. The good news is that there are more places than usual due to the two-day event. Find a charity that is important to you and that you have a connection with as it will make it easier to fundraise if you’re doing it for a cause close to your heart.

Good for Age London Marathon entry

If you’ve already run a marathon, you may be able to secure a place in the London Marathon via the Good for Age entry system. This entry option is available to runners who have run a marathon in a qualifying time based on their age and gender.

The Good for Age times and qualifying periods haven’t been confirmed yet, but you can find all the most up-to-date information here.

Championship entries for London Marathon

For super speedy runners, there’s the chance to enter London Marathon via the Championship entry system. Championship runners at the London Marathon start ahead of the masses, just behind the elite athletes, and have a dedicated start zone.

Again, the specifics of qualifying criteria haven’t been shared yet, but will be updated in the Autumn here.

Enter another marathon

If you really want to run a marathon, there are plenty of races you could target. In fact you don’t even have to wait until next April. If you’re already a regular runner and have done a half marathon before, you could consider training for an autumn marathon instead.

And who knows, you might find yourself qualifying for a London Marathon Good for Age place for 2027.

What to do if you got accepted into the London Marathon

Congratulations! You’ve got your place in one of the best marathons in the world, and it’s going to be a particularly exciting event next year.

Whether you’re excited to have a place or suddenly nervous about the reality of running, don’t panic. You have more than 9 months until race day. Whatever your current fitness level, there will be plenty of opportunities to build up gradually, and lots of time to sort out the practical elements.

1. Sort your race admin

• If you’ve been successful in the ballot, you’ll need to pay your entry fee to secure your place before the deadline. That is if you didn’t already donate your entry fee when you entered the ballot.
• Ask your Double questions now. There’s a bit of extra info to know about deferring, cut-off times and changing days due to the special event in 2027. Read the FAQs and email the London Marathon Customer Engagement Team if you need any clarification.
• If you don’t live in London, it’s a good idea to look at hotel options now! With thousands of runners decending for the race, the best options will get booked up fast. If you choose a flexible booking option, you can always cancel if you need to.

2. Get out running

While race day is a long way off, there’s no better time to get into a regular running routine than now.

• Just starting running for the first time or coming back from a long period away from it, follow a 5K plan.
• Already training regularly? Focus on training for a half marathon this autumn or use a marathon base training plan before following a marathon training plan from around December.

3. Find some build-up races

London Marathon is going to be your focus for the next nine months, but you might want to build in some other races along the way. These can help you break down your training and work towards smaller milestones and track your progress towards the main event.

Building in smaller races into your training is a great way to practice your race day routine ahead of your main goal. It can also help lessen your nerves when it comes to London if you’ve experienced a smaller race day environment. Even the occasional parkrun can help.

Featured image: London Marathon Events