Distract yourself. Sign up for a smaller race. Enter the New York Marathon ballot. The odds there are slightly better—like 5% instead of 2%. Still terrible, but progress.
Make a running playlist. Buy new shoes. Watch the 2026 London Marathon on TV. Pretend that’s you. It’s fine to cry during the broadcast. We all do.
Final tip: Don’t check your email every five minutes. Set a calendar reminder for December 1st, 2026. Then go live your life. The email will come when it’s ready.
The Bottom Line
The 2027 London Marathon ballot will be announced in December 2026. Probably between the 1st and 15th. Definitely not before.
Will you get in? Probably not. But that’s okay. The dream, the hope, the ridiculous obsession—that’s what makes it fun. You’re part of a massive, sweaty, slightly insane community.
So mark your calendar. Keep your fingers crossed. And when the email finally comes, whether it’s a yes or a no, remember: the marathon isn’t just about the 26.2 miles. It starts with the wait.
Now go eat that pizza. You earned it.
