Missed The 2027 London Marathon Ballot? You Still Have Six Ways In

If you just got the “sorry, not this time” email from the 2027 London Marathon, you have plenty of company. A world-record 1,338,544 people entered the ballot, and only around 7.5% were successful, even with next year’s first-ever two-day event expanding the field to 100,000 runners. The odds were never in your favour.

The good news: the ballot is only one door, and it’s the one most people don’t get through anyway. Here’s every other way to line up in April 2027.

1. The Second Ballot (If You Donated)

The easiest thing to check first. If you ticked the box to donate your entry fee to the London Marathon Foundation when you entered in April, and you missed the first draw, you’re automatically entered into a second ballot, effectively doubling your odds. Win a place through either draw and your entry drops to £49.99 instead of £79.99. Miss both and your donation stays with the Foundation, and you get a hydration vest worth over £100. No further action needed; just watch your inbox.

2. A Charity Place

For most runners who miss the ballot, this is the realistic route in, and it’s one of the most rewarding ways to experience the race. Hundreds of UK charities receive guaranteed entries, and majors like Cancer Research UK, Macmillan, Alzheimer’s Society, Mind, and the British Heart Foundation are already taking applications. Contact the charity directly. Expect a fundraising commitment, typically £2,000 to £3,000, and know that a genuine personal connection to the cause helps your application. The sooner you apply, the better; places go months ahead of race day.

3. Good For Age

If you’re quick, your recent racing might get you in. Good For Age places reward UK runners who’ve hit a qualifying time on a certified course within the window (for 2027, times run 1 October 2025 to 30 September 2026). As a guide, the 2026 standards were sub-2:52 for men and sub-3:38 for women aged 18-39, scaling up by age band. Two things to know: places are capped at 6,000 (3,000 each), so allocation is fastest-first if oversubscribed, and the criteria got tougher for 2026, so don’t assume old times will cut it. Final 2027 standards land in the autumn.

4. A Championship Place

The tier above Good For Age, for serious club runners. You’ll need a Championship-qualifying time on an AIMS-certified course, be registered with a UK athletics body, and wear your club vest on race day. The 2026 standards were sub-2:38 (men) and sub-3:10 (women) for the marathon, with half-marathon standards for first-time marathoners. Places are capped at 1,200. Miss out here but you’ve run a marathon before, and you’ll be offered a Good For Age place instead.

5. An Affiliated Running Club

An underrated one. Many England Athletics-affiliated clubs receive a small allocation of guaranteed places and distribute them internally, sometimes by club ballot, sometimes rewarding volunteers or long-serving members. If you’re already a member, email your club secretary. If you’re not, this is one more reason to join one.

6. An International Tour Operator

If you live outside the UK, an official international tour operator offers guaranteed entry, usually bundled with accommodation, meals, and support. It costs considerably more than a standard entry, but a guaranteed place is a guaranteed place, and for anyone chasing all seven World Marathon Majors, it’s often the most reliable way in. Book early; regional allocations sell out fast.

Two Things Not To Do

There’s no waiting list for unsuccessful ballot entrants, so don’t sit around hoping. And do not buy someone’s place. Entries are strictly non-transferable; running under another person’s name risks disqualification and a ban from future events. Any “spare bib” for sale on social media is a dead end.

One Detail For The Fast Crowd

For Good For Age and Championship runners, there’s a twist unique to the two-day format. London Marathon Events CEO Hugh Brasher has confirmed that Good For Age, Championship, wheelchair, and elite women will all race on one day, and the men on the other. Successful applicants find out in October whether they’re in, and which day they’re running.

Or: Run Something Else Entirely

Here’s the gentle reality check: London is not the only marathon, or even the only great one. There’s a whole world of other World Marathon Majors and superb UK and international races, many far easier to enter and no less rewarding to finish. And the marathon isn’t the only goal worth chasing. A half marathon, a fast 10K, a first ultra, or simply a parkrun PB can be every bit as satisfying as a London finish. A “sorry” email closes one door. It doesn’t close the sport.