The easiest way to get on the start line at the London Marathon is through the ballot system, which sees hundred of thousands of people apply every year for one of around 50,000 places.
Runners will have less time to wait for the annual event next year as it returns to its usual spring date of April 23. For the past three years the event has been held in October due to the Covid-19 pandemic.
Last year 350,000 entered the ballot to enter today's London Marathon with only one in seven people lucky enough to run today. Next year's event is expected to be no different with demand outstripping available places in the ballot.
You can sign up for next year's event now on the TCS London Marathon website, the ballot will close on Friday (October 7) with those successful finding out at the end of October. Entrants are chosen completely at random and the cost of a place for those successful is £49.99.
Those that choose to donate their entry fee to The London Marathon Charitable Trust get two chances in the ballot. If they are successful in the first ballot then their place is paid for. However, for those that donate their entry an extra 2,000 places are available in a second ballot.
Entry donators who are unsuccessful in both ballots will be given a winter running top worth £70 and a chance to win one of three pairs of entries to one of the Abbott World Marathon Majors, including accommodation and flights.
For those living abroad there is also an international ballot which also opened yesterday. Those successful have to pay an increased entry cost of £125, which includes £26 which will be invested in projects to balance CO2 emissions from participant travel.
Another entry method for next year's event is applying for a charity place with around 15,000 of these available. Charities pay for these guaranteed places and participants then fundraise for their chosen good cause in exchange for the London Marathon place.
There are also a small number of spots available for British Athletic club members. Elite runners don't have to enter the ballot but do have to obtain qualifying times for their places.
