Around 40,000 people are taking part in the London Marathon 2023 today. From elite athletes to first-time runners, the annual event in the capital city draws huge crowds from around the globe.
The 26.2-mile route takes runners through central London past some of the city's best-loved sights. Starting at Greenwich Park, participants head past the Cutty Sark, over Tower Bridge, through Canary Wharf, and up to Buckingham Palace taking in the iconic scenery.
Each year, cheering crowds line the streets to help spur on the mass of runners, including some who run in fancy dress. For many keen athletes, running the London Marathon is a lifelong dream. For others, watching on from home might spur them on to pick up a pair of trainers for the first time in their lives.
READ MORE: Woman 'struggled to get out of bed' and suffered depression after brain tumour operation
Unfortunately, hundreds of thousands of people apply for a place in the marathon, which is known for being one of the biggest in the world, and not everyone gets lucky.
Here's everything you need to know about next year's event - including when it is and how to try for a place.
When is the London Marathon 2024?
Next year's London Marathon will take place on Sunday 21 April 2024.
The London Marathon has been a feature of the spring calendar ever since its inception in 1981. However, organisers moved the event to October in 2020 as a result of the pandemic.
The marathon took place in October for three consecutive years until it eventually returned to its springtime slot this year.
How does the ballot work and how long is it open for?
There are a few ways you can take part in the London Marathon. Most people apply for a place in the ballot. Runners are selected at random to take part, and if successful, you must pay an entry fee to do so.
Getting a place in the ballot is kind of like winning the lottery. More than 410,000 people entered the ballot last year, and although the exact number of places handed out is unknown, it's thought to only be around 20,000.
If you’re successful in the ballot, you’ll then need to pay the full entry fee of £69.99 to secure your place.
The ballot for the 2024 TCS London Marathon opened on Saturday, April 22, so if you do fancy your chances, you can enter now. In previous years the ballot has stayed open for just one week - which means you have until April 29 to enter.
Once you have entered, you will receive an email confirming that you have entered the ballot. Once the ballot has closed, entrants will be selected at random and each person who entered will get an email confirming whether they have been successful or not. This usually happens within a few weeks of the ballot closing.
When you enter the ballot, you won't have to pay anything upfront. However, if you are a UK resident you can choose to donate the cost of your entry fee to the London Marathon Foundation, no matter what the outcome of the ballot. If you choose to donate, you will also be entered into a second ballot – and if successful in either ballot, your entry fee will be reduced to £49.99.
Running for charity
If you're not successful in the ballot you may still be able to run for charity - but you will need to agree to raise money in return.
Most major charities in the UK are given a set number of entry places. They then allocate these places to runners who agree to a fundraising target.
Charities may select their runners based on a connection with the cause, or how much money they are realistically able to raise. They may also ask you to pay a registration fee when you apply for your charity place.
You can find out more about the charities you could run for here.
'Good For Age' entries
If you're very fast, you can enter the London Marathon by proving you can run a marathon in the qualifying time - this is called a 'Good For Age' (GFA) place.
For example, if you are a male between the ages of 18 and 39, you must have proof of a sub 3-hour marathon. If you're a female in the same age bracket, you must have proof of a sub 3-hour-45-minute marathon. You can see the full list of qualifying times for all age groups here.
Qualifying times must have been run at an in-person event that has a certified marathon course, or at the virtual 2023 TCS London Marathon.
Even with a qualifying time, you are not guaranteed a place. If there are more GFA applicants than places available, then the fastest runners will be given places. The maximum number of GFA places is 6,000 - 3,000 men and 3,000 women.
Viewers at home can watch the London Marathon 2023 on BBC One from 8.30am to 2.15pm, and on BBC Two from 2.15pm to 3pm. It will also be available to stream on BBC iPlayer from 1pm to 6pm.
READ NEXT:
- Manchester Marathon 2023: From pure elation to agonising pain, the race that showed a sea of humanity
- Michael Bublé treats tour crew to cheesy Manchester favourite for AO Arena show
- Emergency alert test will not hang up your phone call or 'breach GPDR' - five online myths debunked
- PICTURES: More than 20,000 celebrate Eid with prayers in Platt Fields park
- UKHSA issues update on Arcturus Covid variant as five deaths reported among sequenced cases
