Unable to take part?
Life doesn’t always go to plan
We understand that circumstances can change. That’s why, if you're eligible, we offer the option to defer your place.
Please review the eligibility criteria outlined below carefully. If you’re not eligible, no action is required.
Find your entry type and next steps
UK entrants
Places via the ballot, running clubs and stakeholders
If you secure your place through the Ballot or have a guaranteed place from a running club or stakeholder, such as a local authority, emergency service, volunteer group or another group, you can request to defer your place.
The event you are deferred to will depend on the day you were originally allocated. If you were allocated a Sunday place in 2027, your place will be deferred to the 2028 TCS London Marathon. If you were allocated a Saturday place, your place will be deferred to a Sunday place in either 2028, 2029 or 2030, at London Marathon Events’ discretion.
You cannot defer an entry that has already been deferred from the previous year, unless you are pregnant or postpartum – see below. You’ll still need to pay the entry fee to secure your deferred place and we’ll email you with details of how to do this.
Places provided by charities
If your place was provided by a charity, you cannot defer it via our system as the place belongs to the charity. Please contact the charity directly to discuss your options. Deferral of your place to a future year is at the charity’s discretion.
Good For Age places
Good For Age places are awarded based on qualifying times achieved within the designated qualifying period and cannot be deferred. The only exception is if you are pregnant or postpartum – please see below.
Championship places
Championship places are awarded based on qualifying times achieved within the designated qualifying period and cannot be deferred. The only exception is if you are pregnant or postpartum – please see below.
Places provided by a sponsor
If your place is provided by and paid for by a sponsor, it is not possible for you to defer. Please contact the sponsor directly to discuss your options.
TCS London Marathon MyWay
Your entry cannot be deferred.
Deferred entry from the 2026 TCS London Marathon
We emailed everyone who requested a deferral from the mass 2026 event in June 2026. The deferral deadline closed on 12 June 2026, so if you have not registered you cannot take part in 2027. (The only exception is if you are pregnant or postpartum – please see below.)
Enhanced deferral options if you are pregnant or postpartum
If you are unable to take part because you are pregnant or postpartum, you can defer your place to one of the following three years. If you are pregnant or postpartum and hold a Good For Age* or Championship place, you can defer your entry to the same category as your original place without the need to qualify again. You’ll still need to pay the entry fee for the chosen year’s event to secure your deferred place and we’ll email you with details of how to do this. (This enhanced deferral option is available even if your entry was deferred from a previous year.)
*Your place will be in the appropriate age category for the newly-selected marathon.
International entrants
Places via the international ballot
If you secure your place through the International Ballot, you can request to defer your place.
The event you are deferred to will depend on the day you were originally allocated. If you were allocated a Sunday place in 2027, your place will be deferred to the 2028 TCS London Marathon. If you were allocated a Saturday place, your place will be deferred to a Sunday place in either 2028, 2029 or 2030, at London Marathon Events’ discretion.
You cannot defer an entry that has already been deferred from the previous year (unless you are pregnant or postpartum – see below). You’ll still need to pay the international entry fee for that future event (minus the carbon emissions levy, which you paid when you secured your original place) to secure your deferred place and we’ll email you with details of how to do this.
Places provided by a tour operator
If your place was provided by a tour operator, you cannot defer it via our system. Please contact your tour operator directly to discuss your options.
TCS London Marathon MyWay
Your entry cannot be deferred.
Deferred entry from the 2026 London Marathon
We emailed everyone who requested a deferral from the mass 2026 event in June 2026. The deferral deadline closed on 12 June 2026, so if you have not registered you cannot take part in 2026. (The only exception is if you are pregnant or postpartum – please see below.)
Enhanced deferral options if you are pregnant or postpartum
If you are unable to take part because you are pregnant or postpartum, you can defer your place to one of the following three years. If you are pregnant or postpartum and hold a Good For Age* or Championship place, you can defer your entry to the same category as your original place without the need to qualify again. You’ll still need to pay the entry fee for the chosen year’s event to secure your deferred place and we’ll email you with details of how to do this. (This enhanced deferral option is available even if your entry was deferred from a previous year.)
*Your place will be in the appropriate age category for the newly-selected marathon.