Want To Run The TCS London Marathon 2027?

Has running the London Marathon always been on your bucket list? Motivated by the new world record? Keen to support your favourite charity? Whatever the reason getting an entry in the London Marathon gets harder every year. It's virtually impossible to get in through the ballot and it's only open for a week so forget that, but what are the other options? We'll look at them here and give you some tips if you decide that the charity route is best for you.

Running for. a charity like Phab is an incredibly rewarding experience

Let's assume you didn't get in through the ballot. (If you did you are one of very few, congratulations!) What are the options?

Good for age

All of the big events like London have a small number of entries allocated to faster runners and you have to qualify for one of these at another event. Check our the London Marathon website for the latest qualifying times, as they can change. They are quick, but achievable if you're a regular (and speedy) runner.

Tour companies

Not an option if you're based in the UK, but definitely an option if you live elsewhere. Generally there is one official tour operator in each country (or region) that has entries in the event, but these can only be sold in conjunction with flights and hotel stay. That does of course mean it won't be a cheap option, but it is an option.

Sponsors/corporate entries

If your company has a connection with London Marathon Events then they are likely to have entries. They may operate an internal ballot for these. There are many businesses involved with other events organised by London Marathon Events who may have entries in the marathon. It does no harm to ask internally.

London Marathon charity entries

This is how the majority of the field will get an entry. Well over a thousand charities buy entries in the Marathon each year, many of them via bonds, which are made up of 4 entries that the charity has to renew every 4 years. Many hundreds of charities try and buy entries but cannot. There is a big waiting list.

These entries are not cheap and that is why they ask runners to raise so much. This is typically £2000 plus. Some 'pledges' are as low as £1500 and some are now asking over £4000, such is the demand, but you'll see plenty of charities asking around £2000. In years past charities might not have enough enquiries from runners to be able to fully allocate their entries, but those days are long gone (there are some exceptions, but not many).

Enquiries flood in from marathon weekend onwards, but remember they will have allocated some entries to runners who had to pull out from previous years so just because they have, say 10 entries, doesn't mean they have 10 available for new runners in any given year. Getting a charity entry in much harder than it has ever been. Many charities advertise on social media and via Google ads. A quick online search will come up with many, many options. Here are some of our tips to secure one:

• Apply sooner rather than later

Most charities will have filled their teams by August, some much earlier so don't leave it too late. They will operate a wait list as lots of people drop out along the way, but to make certain you need to apply much earlier; ideally between April and August. The earlier you can secure an entry the earlier you can start fundraising.

• Go above and beyond with your application

Most charities use an online form and you'll be asked a series of questions, like why do. you want to run for us and how will you raise the required amount. If it asks for a maximum of 200 words in response to a particular question then don't give them 30, give them 200. The more you can support your application with quality and detailed answers the better. Maybe record a video on your phone and include that. Stand out from the crowd.

• Pick a charity that means something to you

Don't apply to a charity where the cause means nothing to you. You need to relate to the charity and the work it is doing. You will need to raise a lot of money and it's very hard to do that if the cause isn't important to you.

Are you enthusiastic about the cause you're running for? Ruby Adams who ran for the Scoliosis Support & Research charity definitely was!

• Avoid applying to multiple charities

It's easy to apply to multiple charities by using the same set of answers with a few tweaks. here and there, but be very cautious doing that. Every year there will be hundreds of people who forget who they are applying to in their 'cut and paste' frenzy and will send applications extolling the virtues of a certain charity to the wrong one. Don't be one of them.

• Don't use AI

More and more runners are turning to the likes of Chat GPT to write their applications for them. Avoid that. Charities are getting wise to it and can use software to scan applications. If you're one of those people that used tech to write your entry then don't expect to be offered one.

• Never give up

Train as if you are going to run, because if you are determined enough and have the means to raise the required pledge figure you will get an entry. Maybe not immediately, but it will happen if you have the focus and drive to make it happen.

If a charity entry is the way you go then you need to start fundraising really early. Running for a cause is incredible rewarding and will make a real difference on those dark and wet nights when you're training. It will keep you motivated and focused. Good luck!

FIND CHARITIES WITH LONDON MARATHON ENTRIES