The London Marathon is the most popular marathon on the planet.

If you want to join the 1.25 million people to have completed the course since 1981 here’s how:

When does the London Marathon take place in 2025?

Next year’s London Marathon will take place on Sunday, April 27 2025.

How do you sign-up?

You can apply for a London Marathon place by entering the public ballot, which is open to marathon hopefuls from around the world.

Everyone is then given the same chance at a place as runners are drawn at random so it simply, says organisers, is about the luck of the draw.

When does the ballot open?

The ballot for the 2025 TCS London Marathon will open on Saturday, April 20 2024 – the day before this year’s marathon.

It will close just a few days later on Friday, April 26 2024.

A second chance at applying

Applicants from the UK, who opt during the application process to donate their entry fee to the London Marathon Foundation during the ballot, will if they get a place have that fee reduced from £69.99 to £49.99.

And what’s more – if you don’t get a place in the main ballot – you will be automatically entered into a second ballot for another chance at a place. If you are successful in either ballot, your entry is then prepaid and confirmed, explain organisers.

Those who aren't successful in either ballot will be given a premium winter running top worth £60 while their donation will be channeled into inspiring activity across the UK.

How does the ballot work?

When you enter you will receive a confirmation email as well as a payment receipt if you have decided to donate your entry fee.

When will I find out if I have a place?

The result of the 2025 TCS London Marathon Ballot will be emailed to all entrants in July.

What happens if I get offered a place?

If you’re from the UK and chose not to donate the entry fee when you initially applied, you’ll then be required to pay the full charge of £69.99 when notified as successful.

When that is paid and everything confirmed it’ll be time to think about training! Good luck!