Here’s where it gets both noble and financially terrifying. Charity places are the golden ticket. Most major charities—from the British Heart Foundation to Dogs for Good—buy guaranteed entries. You don’t need a lottery win; you just need to raise a mountain of cash. We’re talking £2,000 to £5,000 or more.
How to apply for London Marathon 2027: Ballot open and close dates and
You’ll spend the next year baking cakes for bake sales that nobody buys, shoving a sponsorship form in your aunt’s face at Christmas, and sending begging emails to every person you’ve ever met. “Please sponsor me,” you’ll write, “or I’ll have to sell my left kidney on the dark web.” Surprisingly, this works sometimes.
The surprising fact? 25% of all London Marathon runners are charity entrants. That’s about 10,000 people running for causes, not glory. And the crowd loves them more than the elites, because they look like they’re about to die from effort—which is exactly how you’ll look.
The Club Entry (For People Who Actually Run)
If you belong to a running club that’s affiliated with UK Athletics, you might snag a club place. These are limited and competitive, but it’s a smarter bet than the ballot. You’ll have to run a qualifying time—usually around 3:30 for men, 4:00 for women—but at least you’ll feel smug about being part of an elite group of weirdos who enjoy running in the rain.
And yes, you can join a club in 2026 just to qualify. That’s called “strategic friendship.” Just don’t show up to the club run wearing a tutu. Let people get to know you first.
1.3m Enter The London Marathon Ballot For 2027: What Happens Next
