The London Marathon is already one of the most iconic races in the world, and every year, tens of thousands of runners try to snag a coveted spot on the start line.
For many amateur runners, earning a “Good For Age” (GFA) place has been the golden ticket — a way to skip the ballot and claim their spot based on hard-earned speed.
But for 2026, qualifying for a GFA place just got a little bit harder.
What You Need to Know About Good For Age Entry
Good For Age entries reward runners who meet specific times based on their age and gender. It’s not quite a guaranteed entry, but it does give you the chance to apply without having to gamble in the general ballot.
Here’s what’s new for 2026:
- Men’s times are now three minutes faster across the board; women’s are two minutes faster.
- The 85-89 and 90+ age groups are unchanged from 2025.
- Only 6,000 GFA places are up for grabs — 3,000 men and 3,000 women.
And just a heads-up: even if you hit the qualifying time, it’s not a done deal. GFA spots are handed out on a “fastest first” basis within each age group. If you’re within 10 minutes of the qualifying time, London Marathon organizers suggest you also enter the ballot — just to be safe.
2026 Good For Age Qualifying Times
| Age Group | Men | Women |
|---|---|---|
| 18-39 | Sub 2:52 | Sub 3:38 |
| 40-44 | Sub 2:57 | Sub 3:43 |
| 45-49 | Sub 3:02 | Sub 3:46 |
| 50-54 | Sub 3:07 | Sub 3:53 |
| 55-59 | Sub 3:12 | Sub 3:58 |
| 60-64 | Sub 3:34 | Sub 4:23 |
| 65-69 | Sub 3:52 | Sub 4:53 |
| 70-74 | Sub 4:52 | Sub 5:53 |
| 75-79 | Sub 5:07 | Sub 6:13 |
| 80-84 | Sub 5:27 | Sub 6:38 |
| 85-89 | Sub 6:10 | Sub 7:10 |
| 90+ | Sub 7:20 | Sub 7:45 |
London’s tighter standards follow a growing trend: marathons around the world are becoming more competitive as more runners chase fast times.
The Fine Print: Rules and Requirements
- Residency: GFA entry is only for UK residents.
- Certified Course: Your qualifying marathon must be certified by UKA, AIMS, or a national governing body.
- Virtual Option: You can qualify via the TCS London Marathon “MyWay” virtual event — but you’ll also need a certified half marathon time.
- Your Age Matters: It’s based on your age when you ran your time, not your age on race day.
- Proof Needed: You’ll need to show your result, proof of age, and proof of UK residence when you apply.
One more important note: GFA spots aren’t deferrable unless you’re pregnant or postpartum. Plan accordingly!
Why London Is Making It Tougher
London’s decision to tighten the GFA standards isn’t happening in a vacuum. Globally, marathons are seeing huge surges in demand from speedy amateurs.
The Boston Marathon, for instance, had to cut nearly six minutes off its qualifying standards in recent years because so many people were hitting the marks. For Boston 2024, runners needed to be over five minutes faster than the official qualifying standard to actually get in.
Similarly, as Paul Brown reported for Runner’s World UK, the London Marathon has been flooded with GFA applications — forcing organizers to raise the bar in order to keep the race manageable.
What This Means for Runners
If you’re serious about landing a GFA spot, it’s time to get strategic. Here’s what many runners will likely do:
- Pick fast courses: Manchester Marathon, Valencia Marathon, or Berlin are popular choices.
- Chase ideal weather: Cooler temperatures make a big difference.
- Train smarter: With tighter cut-offs, refining training plans — especially around pacing and endurance — will be key.
If you’re not quite up to the new GFA standards yet, don’t stress. The London ballot is still open to everyone, and there’s always next year.
