The TCS London Marathon has once again shattered records, with an unprecedented 1,133,813 people from the UK and around the world applying for a spot in the public ballot for the 2026
event, scheduled for Sunday, 26 April.
This remarkable figure surpasses the previous world record of 840,318 applications for the 2025 marathon—a 36% increase and nearly double the number of entries received for the 2024 edition (578,304).
Of the 2026 applicants, 869,803 were from the UK. Applications included 433,775 men (49.87%), 430,983 women (49.55%), and 5,044 non-binary individuals (0.58%). An additional 264,011 applications came from international entrants.
The ballot process, managed once again by event tech partner Let’s Do This (LDT), forms part of a five-year collaboration with London Marathon Events.
Hugh Brasher, CEO of London Marathon Events, expressed his excitement:
“This is an absolutely staggering total which reaffirms London as by far the most popular marathon on the planet. Marathon Day showcases the best of humanity—from the camaraderie of the runners to the incredible support of the crowds.”
Reflecting on the 2025 race, Brasher added:
“The 2025 TCS London Marathon was a historic day. With 56,640 finishers, it became not just the most popular but also the largest marathon ever held, breaking the Guinness World Record for the most finishers. And the celebration extended to young runners too—with over 15,000 children participating in the 40th TCS Mini London Marathon, and countless more taking part through schools across the UK.”
He continued, “Our mission is to inspire people of all ages and abilities to get active. These record numbers show just how many people want to be a part of the London Marathon experience. We’re grateful to Let’s Do This for helping us deliver a smooth and successful ballot process.”
Founded in 2017 and based in London, LDT is a leading event registration and technology platform, known for its socially driven features that help users discover, join, and share events through teams, invites, and referrals. Photo by DanHuddleston, Wikimedia commons.