After weeks of waiting, the suspense is finally over: the 2026 London Marathon ballot results have officially dropped.
Today, on Thursday morning, London Marathon Events (LME) confirmed that emails are going out throughout the day to everyone who entered the public ballot, meaning you’ll soon find out if you’ll be lining up in London next April or cheering from the sidelines.
And if your inbox is still empty? Don’t panic just yet.
A Record-Smashing Number of Applicants
Let’s start with the big number: over 1.13 million runners applied for the 2026 TCS London Marathon ballot, the most ever in the event’s history, and likely the most for any marathon on the planet.
As Hugh Brasher, Event Director for LME, put it: “This is an absolutely staggering total which reaffirms London as by far the most popular marathon on the planet.”
It’s not hard to see why.
From the electric atmosphere and raucous crowds to the legendary course that cuts past Big Ben, Tower Bridge, and Buckingham Palace, there’s something magical about London Marathon day.
And, with a record-breaking number of finishers, over 56,000 finishers in 2025, the race is only getting bigger.
But even with all that capacity, the numbers mean odds of getting in via the ballot are still incredibly slim (so slim, you have a better chance at getting into Harvard).
How to Know If You Got a Spot
Emails started going out today, Thursday, June 19, and organizers say they’ll continue rolling out throughout the day.
If you applied, search your inbox for the subject line: “Your 2026 TCS London Marathon Ballot result.”
Don’t forget to check your junk and spam folders. More than one past participant has had their golden ticket buried in a spam folder.
If you still haven’t heard by Monday, June 23, that’s your cue to get in touch with the help desk.
Also worth noting: emails are the only way you’ll hear from the London Marathon team. There are no texts, phone calls, or letters coming, just that one all-important email.
Got In? Confirm Your Place ASAP
If you were one of the lucky ones, don’t celebrate too long before taking care of the logistics. You’ll need to confirm your place by 4 p.m. BST on Thursday, July 10, even if you’ve already paid.
LME is also continuing its push for more sustainable race-day practices.
This year, runners will need to opt in if they want to receive a finisher’s medal and official event T-shirt (both are free, but only sent if you ask). The idea is to cut back on waste, and only send gear to those who’ll use it, a small move that adds up across tens of thousands of runners.
Didn’t Get In? You’ve Still Got Options
Getting a “no” from the ballot stings, no doubt about it. But there are still other ways to run:
- Charity Places: Dozens of charities have guaranteed spots for runners who commit to fundraising. The British Heart Foundation, for instance, already has its 2026 charity team open for applications. Expect minimum fundraising pledges to range from £1,500 to £2,500, depending on the charity.
- The Virtual London Marathon: Want the finisher medal and official recognition, but on your own terms? The virtual edition lets you run 26.2 miles anywhere in the world on race day.
- Good For Age & Championship Entry: Fast runners can still apply through these qualifying systems when they open. Check LME’s official guidance for the latest on qualifying times.
- International Travel Packages: If you’re based outside the UK, a number of travel companies offer guaranteed entry with hotel packages.
If you didn’t get in but chose to donate to the London Marathon Foundation during the ballot process, you’ll receive a TCS London Marathon training top, set to arrive by the end of October 2025.
It’s a small consolation, but a pretty decent one, and it helps fund community sports programs and initiatives through the Foundation.
