More people than ever are set to line-up for this year’s TCS London Marathon, which could surpass its New York equivalent to be declared the world’s largest in 2025.
Organisers hope the 45th edition of the iconic race will set a new record if the number of finishers on Sunday, April 27 surpasses the 55,646 runners who completed the TCS New York Marathon in November 2024.
Runners found out last year if they had been successful in gaining entry to the 2025 London Marathon, while others have opted to get a place by pledging to raise money for charity.
• Read more: London Marathon 2025: Where to watch, route, start time, rail strikes and celebrities to look out for
More than 56,000 are expected to take part but it remains to be seen how many will finish.
However, despite the increasing number of entry places available, many more runners miss out on a place in the marathon than get to take part, making it feel a harder feat to get on the starting line than to actually finish the 26.2 miles.
More than 840,000 people applied for the ballot to enter this year and some runners have complained of entering every year for more than a decade, to no avail.
It means that thousands of runners will be looking at other options to complete a marathon.
Here are some other options for where you can run the 42km.
Running outside of London might provide a greener backdrop
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Best marathons to enter in 2025 that are all within an hour of London
Here’s our best of the rest list for the year ahead and, just to give you a chance to apply and train, we are not going to list any until May (although even that is pushing it!).
All events are within a one-hour train ride from the capital, assuming there’s not going to be rail-replacement bus services to make your life a misery before the running even begins.
Where: East Grinstead, Haywards Heath and Burgess Hill
This one is not a long time away, but, don’t worry – unlike a conventional marathon, you will do the distance over three days.
The distance is achieved with 10 miles on Saturday, another 10 on Sunday and then a six mile (10km) to finish on the bank holiday Monday.
It’s a marathon like no other and could be both the fastest and slowest you ever do the 26 miles. Details and entry here.
Where: (Funnily enough…) Milton Keynes
There’s less than two months to train for this one but, on the plus side, you will at least have the Bank Holiday Monday off to recover.
Many courses boast about being fast and flat
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A real toughie. Pilgrim by name and nature, this one provides some beautiful views of Surrey – if you are willing to tackle the hills to see them!
Certainly not a PB course (unless it’s your first marathon or in super-human good shape) and there’s a half marathon option, too.
An option for Londoners not looking to travel too far out of the M25 and this one combines Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew Gardens and Richmond Park.
On the downside, it is 10 laps of Battersea Park – but, on the plus side, you’re never more than a short walk from the station. So if you’re worried about an injury, or getting lost, this might be the one for you.
There are usually drummers to provide some atmosphere and you can strategically place your drinks bottle at odd points on the course as a mental distraction.
The London Marathon is great… if you can get in
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A fast and flat two-lap course with some ancient landmarks on the way to inspire you and keep you from flagging (hopefully).
First run in 1981, the marathon is a well-established and much-enjoyed event.
Where: Portsmouth (who knew…)
To expand the search horizons just a little, this pre-Christmas south-coast run is a tricky winter test of mixed terrain.
It might be windy but you will see the sea and fully earn your Christmas dinner.
