Runners on Embankment at the TCS London Marathon

Unable to take part?

Life doesn’t always go to plan and that’s why, for those who are eligible, we offer the opportunity to defer your place to next year’s TCS London Marathon.

The eligible entry types are outlined below, please read the criteria carefully.

If you’re not eligible, no action is required.

TCS London Marathon MyWay entries cannot be deferred.

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.

* Please note that your Good For Age place will be in the appropriate age category for the newly-selected marathon.

UK entrants

Places via the ballot, running clubs and stakeholders

If you secure your place through the TCS London Marathon 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 defer your place to the TCS London Marathon the following year. You’ll still need to pay the entry fee for the following year's event 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. Please note that the 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 above.

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 above.

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.

Deferred entry from the 2024 TCS London Marathon

We emailed everyone who requested a deferral from the mass 2024 event in May. The deferral deadline has now passed, so if you have not registered you cannot take part in 2025. The only exception is if you are pregnant or postpartum – please see above.

International entrants

Places via the international ballot

If you secure your place through the TCS London Marathon International Ballot, you can defer your place to the TCS London Marathon the following year. You’ll still need to pay the international entry fee for the following year's event (minus the £26 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.