The London Marathon is the race that turns non-runners into runners and runners into obsessives. Crossing Tower Bridge with 40,000 people cheering on either side is one of those experiences that stays with you for the rest of your life — whether you finish in 2 hours 30 or 6 hours 30.
But getting to that start line is a process that begins long before race day. This guide covers everything you need to know about entering the 2027 London Marathon — the ballot, the alternatives, what to expect on the course and how to train effectively whether you're running your first or fifth marathon.
Key Dates for London Marathon 2027
How to Enter the London Marathon 2027
There are several ways to get a place at the London Marathon. The ballot is the most well-known but it's far from the only option — and for many runners, it's not the most likely route to the start line.
The Public Ballot
The public ballot is free to enter and open to anyone. Around 840,000 people applied for the 2024 ballot, and approximately 17,500 places were allocated — giving you roughly a 1 in 50 chance of getting in. That sounds brutal, but plenty of people get in on their first or second attempt.
To enter the ballot go to londonmarathonevents.co.uk as soon as it opens in late April or early May 2026. The window typically stays open for a week or two. You'll need to create an account and enter your details — it takes about five minutes.
Charity Places
Charity places are the most reliable way to guarantee entry to the London Marathon. Each year thousands of charity places are allocated to runners who agree to raise a minimum amount — typically between £2,000 and £3,000 depending on the charity.
If you have a charity you're passionate about, contact them directly to ask about marathon places. Popular running charities like Cancer Research UK, British Heart Foundation and Macmillan Cancer Support all have large allocations and are worth contacting early — their places often go by summer.
Good for Age Entry
If you've run a recent marathon within the Good for Age qualifying times, you can apply for a guaranteed place. The qualifying times vary by age group — they're faster for younger runners and more accessible for older age groups. Check the current Good for Age standards at londonmarathonevents.co.uk as these are reviewed annually.
| Entry Route | Typical Cost | Likelihood of Success |
|---|---|---|
| Public Ballot | Free to enter, ~£39 race fee if successful | ~2% per year |
| Charity Place | £2,000-£3,000 fundraising minimum | Guaranteed if fundraising met |
| Good for Age | ~£39 race fee | Guaranteed if qualifying time met |
| Running Club Place | ~£39 race fee | Depends on club allocation |
| Championship Entry | ~£39 race fee | For competitive club runners with qualifying times |
Running Club Entries
UK Athletics affiliated running clubs receive a small allocation of London Marathon places each year. If you're a member of a running club, speak to your club secretary — they may have places available through this route. It's a less well-known entry method and worth exploring if you're already a club member.
The London Marathon Course
The London Marathon course starts at Blackheath in south-east London and takes runners west through Greenwich, Deptford and Bermondsey before crossing Tower Bridge at mile 12 — one of the most iconic moments in marathon running anywhere in the world.
After Tower Bridge the route loops through the Isle of Dogs and Canary Wharf before heading west along the Embankment past the Houses of Parliament. The final stretch turns into Birdcage Walk and then onto The Mall, finishing in front of Buckingham Palace.
Key Course Landmarks
- Mile 1-3: Blackheath to Greenwich — wide roads, easy to get carried away with the crowd energy. Hold back.
- Mile 6: Cutty Sark — huge crowd, iconic landmark, brilliant atmosphere
- Mile 12: Tower Bridge — the most photographed moment of the race. Soak it in.
- Miles 13-18: Isle of Dogs — mentally challenging, relatively quiet. Focus on your running.
- Mile 22: Embankment — you can start to believe you'll finish here
- Mile 25.5: Buckingham Palace — Birdcage Walk into The Mall. The finish is in sight.
- Mile 26.2: The Mall — the finish line. You did it.
How to Train for London Marathon 2027
A 16 to 20 week training plan is standard for marathon preparation. If you're running your first marathon, 20 weeks gives you more time to build safely. For experienced runners, 16 weeks is usually sufficient.
The key principles of marathon training are simple even if the execution is hard:
The Long Run
Your weekly long run is the cornerstone of marathon training. Run it at a genuinely easy pace — slow enough to hold a conversation — and increase it by no more than 10% per week. Most plans peak at 20-22 miles three weeks before race day.
Practise your race day nutrition strategy on every long run over 14 miles. Whatever gels, chews or drinks you plan to use on race day, use them in training. Your gut needs to adapt to taking on fuel while running, and race day is not the time to experiment.
What Shoes to Wear
Marathon race day is when your footwear choice matters most. Carbon fibre plated racing shoes have transformed marathon times at every level — not just for elites. Shoes like the Nike Vaporfly, Adidas Adizero Adios Pro and Asics Metaspeed Sky offer genuine performance benefits for recreational runners.
That said, the best marathon shoe is the one you've trained in and trust. Don't switch to a new shoe on race day. If you're planning to race in a carbon shoe, do at least three or four long runs in them before the marathon.
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Race Day Tips for London Marathon
Getting to the Start
The start area at Blackheath is enormous but it fills up early. Aim to arrive at least 90 minutes before your wave start time. Trains from London Bridge and Cannon Street to Blackheath run regularly on race morning. Check National Rail for your specific wave time and work backwards — the trains get very crowded.
Pacing Strategy
The single most common London Marathon mistake is going out too fast in the first six miles. The crowd, the atmosphere and the adrenaline make it almost impossible not to — but running the first half two to three minutes too fast will cost you far more than that in the second half.
A simple and effective strategy is to run miles one to six at ten seconds per mile slower than your goal pace, miles seven to eighteen at goal pace and then run by feel from eighteen onwards. If you've paced correctly you'll be passing people rather than being passed in the final six miles.
Nutrition on the Course
Energy gels are handed out at miles 14 and 21 on the London course. You should supplement these with your own nutrition — most runners need one gel every 45 minutes from mile 6 onwards. Water stations appear every mile and Lucozade Sport is available at several points.
The Crowds
London Marathon crowds are extraordinary. There are genuinely no quiet sections of this course — even at the back of the field the support continues for hours. Write your name on your vest or race bib and the crowds will cheer for you personally. It sounds small but hearing your name shouted in the final miles when you're struggling makes a bigger difference than you'd expect.
London Marathon 2027 — Your Action Plan
- Go to londonmarathonevents.co.uk and register for ballot notifications
- Enter the ballot the moment it opens in late April or early May 2026
- Research charity places with two or three charities you care about
- Check if you qualify for Good for Age entry
- Ask your running club secretary about club ballot places
- Start building your base fitness now — 2027 training starts in January
- Get fitted for the right road running shoes for your training
Final Thoughts
The London Marathon is worth every mile of training, every early morning long run, every difficult conversation with your legs at mile 20. The finish on The Mall is one of running's great experiences and there is nothing quite like the moment you collect your medal having run 26.2 miles through the heart of London.
Don't be discouraged if you don't get in first time. Keep entering the ballot, keep training and keep building your running. The London Marathon has a way of rewarding persistence — and the wait makes crossing that finish line even more meaningful when you finally get there.
Good luck with the ballot. We'll see you on The Mall.
— Ben Parrett, The Running Compass