A few years ago you could sign up for most big races on a first-come basis. Now demand is so high that many have switched to a ballot: you apply in a set window, and places are drawn at random.
The numbers show why. For 2027, 1,338,544 people applied for the London Marathon ballot, a world record, for 100,000 places over two days. 166,000 applied for Paris. The Tokyo Marathon says about 1 in 10 general applicants get a place, and the Copenhagen Half had 188,522 applications for 45,000 places.
How a ballot works
- Apply in the window. Entering is usually free (a few races charge a small fee, such as €4 for Dublin, refunded if you don't get a place).
- Wait for the draw. Results come out a few weeks after the window closes.
- Pay if you're picked. Most races then give you a few days to pay the full entry fee, or the place goes to someone else. Some, like the New York City Marathon, take your card details when you apply and charge you automatically the moment you're drawn, with no refunds. So only apply if you're ready to commit.
When the big ballots open
Most ballots open 6 to 12 months before race day. That catches a lot of people out: by the time you decide on a spring race, its ballot has often closed. London's ballot for April 2027 was open for just one week, in April 2026.
Boston works differently. Most places go to runners with a qualifying time from another marathon, plus charity and tour operator places. There's no open ballot.
Ballot dates, race by race
Each of these pages shows when the next ballot opens, what it costs, and races you can enter instead.
Missed the ballot? You still have options
- Charity places. Most big races give charities a set of places. You pay a smaller entry fee and agree to raise a set amount, often a few hundred to a few thousand pounds, euros or dollars, depending on the race.
- Tour operator packages. Official travel partners sell guaranteed entries bundled with a hotel. They cost more, but you can book months after the ballot closes.
- Waiting lists and transfers. Some races, like Gothenburg's half marathon, run a free waiting list for places other runners give up.
- Pick a race that's still open. Honolulu, Dubai, Abu Dhabi, the Sydney Half, Barcelona (half and full), Rome, Stockholm and Riga were all open to enter at the time of writing. They're first come, first served, with no ballot.
Sources: London Marathon Events, Marathon Handbook (London), Chicago Marathon, Marathon Handbook (Sydney), Tokyo Marathon, NYRR (New York), Marathon Handbook (Berlin), Irish Examiner (Dublin), Reference Trail (Paris), Copenhagen Marathon, CPH Half, Berlin Half, Record (Lisbon). Dates change every year, so always check the official race site.