Sunday 26 April 2026 | London
Your chance to achieve a lifetime ambition while raising thousands to inspire brighter futures for young people living through and beyond cancer.
We're delighted to give you the chance to achieve a lifetime's ambition while raising thousands to inspire brighter futures for young people living through and beyond cancer.
Apply today to join the #TrustTribe alongside 50,000+ other runners on the start line on Sunday 26 April 2026.
"My daughter Emilia certainly takes life by the horns. I wanted to complete a marathon to fundraise to support this wonderful cancer charity."
Ballot places for the 2026 London Marathon will open for a week just before this year's race on Friday 25 April (closes Friday 2 May).
To give more people the chance to run the 2026 event for the Ellen MacArthur Cancer Trust, we are asking everyone who applies for one of our charity places to also apply for the ballot (up to the ballot deadline) and if successful, raise money for us.
We intend to keep applications open until after results of the public ballot in June/July, so if your ballot bid is not successful, your Ellen MacArthur Cancer Trust application will still be considered for a charity place.
Yes, participants in the TCS London Marathon must be aged 18 or over on event day (Sunday 26 April 2026).
If you are visually impaired, or your disability or medical condition means you need a Support Runner, you can apply for a free place for them. Please contact TSC London Marathon outlining your request and the reasons for it. If you would like a Support Runner, the Richard Whitehead Foundation Supported Runners Project in partnership with Nissan can pair you with someone for event day. Register your interest with the Richard Whitehead Foundation to find out more.
As much as we would love to be able to give everyone who wants to run for us a place, sadly we don't have enough places. The application form asks all about your motivations for running for the Ellen MacArthur Cancer Trust and your fundraising plans should you be successful. Provide as much detail and enthusiasm as you can!
We intend to keep our application period open until the results of the public ballot are announced, typically in late June / early July, and we will then consider our applications and award our charity places.
All applicants will be informed of the outcome of their application by Friday 11 July. Whether successful or not, those who are unsuccessful may have the option to join a waiting list at that stage.
If you are awarded a charity place from the Ellen MacArthur Cancer Trust, your fundraising minimum is £2,000 (not including Gift Aid).
If you are joining our #TrustTribe team with a place secured through the public ballot, you do not have a set fundraising target, and we ask that you raise as much as possible.
You will only need to pay a registration fee - £100 - if you are successful in claiming an Ellen MacArthur Cancer Trust charity place. This needs to be paid within one week of confirmation that you have been given a place. Failure to pay will result in your place being forfeited. Read the full Terms and Conditions.
You will receive dedicated support throughout your journey from a member of our Events team. You will also be included in a WhatsApp community with other Ellen MacArthur Cancer Trust runners, providing mutual support and encouragement.
To assist with fundraising, you will have access to a variety of materials, including collection tins, buckets, posters, and bunting. Additionally, you will receive two Ellen MacArthur Cancer Trust branded running tops-one for training and another for event day.
We recommend creating a free online fundraising page with Enthuse, the official online fundraising partner of London Marathon Events. If you need help setting up your page, refer to Enthuse's How-to Guide. Alternatively, you can use JustGiving if you prefer.
Yes, all participants will be emailed an official Participant Guide several weeks before the event. Your Participant Guide will include all the information you need to know before, during, and after your event.
The event guide will be available to download here - TCS London Marathon Participant Information - nearer to the event day and will have all the essential information you need to plan ahead.
You will receive your registration email from London Marathon a week or so before event day. This will include your unique collection QR code that you will need to collect your event pack from the TCS London Marathon Running Show at ExCeL London.
All runners must attend the London Running Show in-person to collect their number and timing chip. Your registration email will also tell you all your important arrival information for marathon day, including your start wave and time
We have plenty of ideas to help you get inspired and achieve your target. Check out our downloadable Fundraising Guide for more tips and suggestions! If you think you are not going to reach you target by race day, contact [email protected] as soon as possible.
Suggested fundraising milestones:
If you’re unable to take part, you may be eligible to defer your place to a future year. Contact [email protected] as soon as possible to find out more.
