After the record-breaking success of the 2025 TCS London Marathon, runners are already setting their sights on next year’s race with the ballot open for entries.
Around 56,000 finished the 42km on Sunday, with Sabastian Sawe and Tigst Assefa taking the men’s and women’s races respectively.
Dozens of celebrities also took part with the likes of Chris Evans, Jack Wilshire, Kelly Brook and Romesh Ranganathan all finishing - while Harry Judd ran an impressive 3hrs 15 and Joel Dommett fainting before reaching the finish.
Eyes are already on next year, although you will need some luck (or a very fast personal best!), to be on the starting line, with only a handful of the 800,000-plus entrants getting in.
Here is what you need to know.
When is the 2026 London Marathon?
TCS has confirmed that next year’s London Marathon will be held on Sunday, April 26.
It is a like-for-like date from 2025, as the marathon reverted to its springtime slot in 2023, with the previous three editions held in the autumn due to the pandemic.
How to enter the London Marathon
As mentioned, the most popular route is via the ballot, which has already opened.
Runners have until Friday, May 2 to enter the ballot.
“The winners are drawn at random, so everyone has an equal shot,” the organisers have said about the process.
It is free to enter the ballot but, if you do get in, it will cost £79.99.
Alternatively, at the point of entering the ballot, you can opt to pay £49.99 and, if you do not get in, that fee will be donated to charities. If you opt for this option, you will also receive a jersey and be entered into a second ballot, where more places are up for grabs.
If you do not get in via the ballot, there are other options available:
- A charity place is on offer if you can pledge to raise a certain amount (this can be in the thousands, so beware)
- If you are speedy and have a recent personal best within a qualification time depending on your age and gender, you can register for one of the spots set aside for a “good for age” entry
- The absolute best of the best can enter with a world-class season’s best for the championship entry
- Other places will be on offer for overseas runners as part of the international entry
When should you start training?
There is no hard and fast rule but general running lore suggests that 16 weeks is a good length of time to aim for. The London Marathon will send you training-plan suggestions at the point of your entry confirmation and these can be adapted based on your experience.
That said, keeping in general fitness is not a bad idea (even if you do not get a place) and will help you be in a good place to begin your training.
There are many other marathons across the UK that you can enter if you want to feel the buzz of the event.
Read also: Trainers on! London's best running spots and routes
