Upcoming London Marathons in 2027

The 2027 TCS London Marathon is a one-off two-day event on Saturday, April 24, and Sunday, April 25, 2027. Mass-participation runners will use the Greenwich-to-Westminster course on both days, with about 100,000 participants expected across the event.

The Thames Meander Spring marathon offers another London race on March 7, 2027, at Small Profits Dock Gardens. It also includes a half-marathon and 10K, giving you shorter-distance choices at a separate one-day event.

Key takeaways

• Your assigned Saturday or Sunday controls your travel plans because London Marathon Events does not allow race-day swaps or bib transfers.
• Good-for-Age applicants ages 18 through 39 need a certified-course marathon result from October 1, 2025, through September 30, 2026, with a time of 2:52:00 or faster for men or 3:38:00 or faster for women.
• A qualifying Good-for-Age time only lets you apply, because the route has 6,000 places split evenly between men and women.
• International runners can apply through the international public ballot, but should budget £225 to £275 before travel costs.

2027 TCS London Marathon Dates and Race Format

Elite races are divided between the two days, while mass-participation races take place on Saturday and Sunday. Saturday includes the elite men’s race and men’s wheelchair race. Sunday includes the elite women’s race and women’s wheelchair race.

London Marathon Events assigns each runner to Saturday or Sunday, and you cannot swap your assigned day or transfer your bib to another person. Check the date you receive before booking a nonrefundable hotel or changing a flight. The event calendar is available through all London events, but your assigned day controls your travel plans.

Marathon runners following a riverside city course

This format gives the race a much larger footprint than a standard one-day weekend. Mass-participation runners are spread across both dates rather than placed into a single race day, so your planning depends on the assignment London Marathon Events gives you. Build accommodation and transport around that date instead of assuming you can move to the other day. The assigned date also matters if you are coordinating the marathon with work, flights, or other weekend plans.

Thames Meander Spring Marathon

The Thames Meander Spring marathon starts and finishes at Small Profits Dock Gardens. You can enter the full marathon, half-marathon, or 10K, which suits a spring training target or a shorter race distance. Its single-day format also avoids the assigned-day arrangement used for mass-participation runners in the TCS event.

London Marathon Entry Routes and Costs

The TCS London Marathon has three entry routes covered here: the UK public ballot, the international public ballot, and Good-for-Age entry. The ballots use an application process, while Good-for-Age entry depends on a certified-course marathon time and a limited allocation.

Entry route	Cost	Main requirement	Place condition
UK public ballot	£79.99	Ballot application	Standard ballot process
International public ballot	£225-£275	Ballot application	International ballot process

UK Public Ballot

The UK public ballot is for runners applying through the general ballot, whether you have run a marathon before or are trying to secure your first place without a qualifying time. Its standard entry fee for UK residents is shown in the table above.

A ballot application does not guarantee entry. Wait until you know that you have a place and an assigned day before committing to expensive travel or accommodation.

International Public Ballot

International runners can apply through the international public ballot, which is separate from the UK route. The entry fee ranges from £225 to £275, before you add airfare, lodging, meals, and local transportation.

This route fits you if you live outside the UK and do not use a separate qualifying route. After London Marathon Events assigns your Saturday or Sunday place, keep that date fixed when arranging your trip.

Good-for-Age Entry

Good-for-Age applications require a qualifying marathon time run on a certified course between October 1, 2025, and September 30, 2026. For runners ages 18 through 39, the listed standards are 2:52:00 or faster for men and 3:38:00 or faster for women.

Meeting the standard makes you eligible to apply but does not secure a place. Good-for-Age entry is limited to 6,000 runners, split evenly between men and women. Keep your certified race result and application details available when you apply, because the qualifying time must meet the stated course and date conditions.

Your Race Planning Checklist

Race availability and event details can change before race day, so keep the organizer’s page as your main reference. Save your entry confirmation and add the assigned event details to your calendar as soon as they arrive. Bookmark the official London Marathon Events page and check it for updates before you book travel.

Frequently Asked Questions

If I miss both the ballot and Good-for-Age entry, how can I enter?

You must obtain a charity place to enter the London Marathon if you miss the public ballot and Good-for-Age routes. This means applying through a participating charity rather than entering directly.

How much might I need to raise for a charity place?

Charity runners commonly face a fundraising target of £2,000 to £2,500. Agree on that target before accepting a place because it is separate from your race entry fee and travel costs.

What happens if my London Marathon entry is deferred?

An eligible deferred entry requires you to pay the full entry fee again for the rescheduled year. Deferral therefore does not preserve the original payment for your later race.