The marathon running boom has reached a record high. As the public ballot for the 2025 TCS London Marathon closed on Friday, organizers reported they received a record 840,318 applications, smashing last year’s mark of 578,374.
The 2024 London Marathon saw just over 50,000 finishers, a record for the event, with Olympic champion Peres Jepchirchir setting a women-only world record of 2:16:16 and Kenya’s Alexander Munyao winning his first world major.
With an estimated 17,000 public ballot spots open for the 2025 race, that means only two per cent of applicants will secure a spot.
Entering the public ballot for the London Marathon is free. Applicants have the option to pay the entry fee upfront or wait until they are selected. Those who pay upfront increase their chances of getting in through a potential second ballot, (which effectively doubles their chances of securing a spot). If applicants who pay upfront don’t succeed in either ballot, the fee will be directed to the London Marathon Foundation.
The race organizers emphasize that everyone has an equal chance to get in; it’s simply luck of the draw. Ballot results will be announced this July.
If you’re among the 97 percent who don’t get in, there are other ways to secure a spot. Thousands of runners are able to acquire a Golden Bond charity place each year, committing to fundraising for a chance to participate. Additionally, there are 6,000 “Good For Age” spots available for the fastest marathoners in their respective age groups. These entrants can apply in July, with places allocated on a fastest-first basis relative to age and qualifying time.
For those who are not competitive in their age groups or who are not keen on fundraising, joining a British run club registered with British Athletics or hiring a tour operator, usually costing over $3,000 (excluding flights), are other options.
Commenting on the rise in applicants, TCS London Marathon race director Hugh Brasher was enthusiastic about the record number of applicants. “Our goal is to inspire people of all ages and abilities to get active, and these record-breaking figures show how the TCS London Marathon is doing that and how many people want to be part of it,” he said.
At this year’s race, organizers saw an increase in finishers between the ages 18-39, particularly women, rising from around 43 per cent to 49 per cent over one year, bringing the event closer to gender parity in applications for the first time.
The 2025 TCS London Marathon is scheduled for April 27.
