More than 1 million people sign up for 2026 London Marathon, shatter world record
Number blasts past previous best of 840,300 entries for this month’s race in UK capital
More than 1.1 million people have signed up for next year’s London Marathon, after a record breaking edition of the race took place last weekend, organisers said on Saturday.
The number of applications for the 2026 race’s ballot shattered last year’s world record of 840,300 entries for the 2025 London Marathon.
Hugh Brasher, CEO of organisers London Marathon Events, called it an “absolutely staggering total which reaffirms London as by far the most popular marathon on the planet”.
Applications for the 2026 race are nearly double the total for the 2024 London Marathon, organisers said after the ballot closed on Friday.
Last Sunday’s 45th race also snatched the Guinness World Records title for largest number of finishers from the 2024 New York Marathon.
More than 56,500 athletes crossed the finish line in blazing sunshine in the British capital, from the elite field through to those in fancy dress.