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6d ago

2026 London Marathon Sets Record with Over 1.13 Million Applications

The event's global appeal grows as applications surge 36% from last year, with near-equal gender representation and record international interest.

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Athletics - London Marathon - London, Britain - April 27, 2025 General view of runners on Tower Bridge during the London Marathon REUTERS/Jaimi Joy/File Photo
Athletics - London Marathon - London, Britain - April 27, 2025 General view of runners on Tower Bridge during the London Marathon REUTERS/Jaimi Joy/File Photo
Athletics - London Marathon - London, Britain - April 27, 2025 Participants arrive ahead of the London Marathon Action Images via Reuters/John Sibley/File Photo

Overview

  • A record 1,133,813 people applied to run the 2026 TCS London Marathon, surpassing the previous record of 840,318 applications for the 2025 race.
  • UK applicants totaled 869,803, with a near-even gender split: 49.87% male, 49.55% female, and 0.58% non-binary.
  • International interest also hit a new high, with 264,011 applications from non-UK residents in the public ballot.
  • The 2025 London Marathon set a Guinness World Record for the largest number of finishers, with 56,640 participants crossing the line.
  • Youth engagement was highlighted with over 15,000 children participating in the 40th Mini London Marathon, alongside 41 additional Guinness World Record titles broken during the event weekend.