No ballot place? How to Secure your entry at the TCS London Marathon

Didn’t get your place in the TCS London Marathon ballot? You are not alone. There are still ways of securing your spot at this iconic event.

The London Marathon is one of the biggest marathons in the UK and is part of the Abbot World Marathon Majors. Making this event popular worldwide.

Each year, runners from across the world will enter the London Marathon ballot in hopes of securing their spot in this legendary event. However, the growing popularity of this marathon has led to an increase in unsuccessful ballot entries each year.

This post will outline the different options available to help runners enter the London Marathon and ensure their spot at the next event.

TCS London Marathon Ballot

The first and most obvious way to gain entry into the London Marathon is to enter the ballot. The ballot is highly competitive and only a limited entries are available.

The London Marathon ballot opens the day the event takes place and usually closes a week later. Giving runners only a short window to apply. Applicants will usually get the results either at the end of June or early July. As seen in previous years.

If successful, athletes will receive their confirmation email and can book their spot at the upcoming event. If you did not make it through the ballot, no stress. The TCS London Marathon will automatically enter you through a second ballot, which will double your London Marathon ballot odds.

To summarise the London Marathon ballot timeline:

• The ballot opens the day the marathon takes place.
• The ballot closes a week later.
• The results are usually released end of June or early July.
• For unsuccessful ballot entries, you are entered into a second ballot.

You can enter the ballot (lottery) through the TCS London Marathon website.

London Marathon Charity Programme

Another option to secure your spot at the next London Marathon is to be granted an entry through the charity programme. This programme offers runners a chance to be given an entry by a charity and run for a cause.

Most charities will require a minimum fundraising requirement and registration fee to be able to get an entry from them.

Some of the types of charities you can run for include:

• Animals
• Armed Forces
• Cancer
• Children
• Community
• Disability
• Health
• Hospice
• LGBTQ+
• Mental Health
• Social Welfare
• Sport

Check out the full list of all the charities included in the TCS London Marathon charity programme on their website.

London Marathon Tour Operator

What happens when you didn’t make the ballot or get a charity place entry? Do not worry, you can still make your dreams a reality and book your spot through an official London Marathon tour operator.

Sports Tours International is the leading tour operator for the TCS London Marathon. Offering runners guaranteed race entry, accommodation, race weekend support and the ultimate after party to celebrate.

We coordinate runners’ TCS London Marathon entry and accommodation. Our experienced team provides personalised assistance throughout their marathon journey. From entry registration to personal guide to the start line, we are here to support our runners every step of the way to make their experience as smooth and hassle-free as possible. All they will need to do is focus on running.

Ready to secure your place at the next TCS London Marathon?