Key points
- Nearly 870,000 people in the UK applied
- Around 264,000 people from overseas entered the international ballot
ISLAMABAD: The London Marathon has received more than 1.1 million applications for the 2026 race, breaking the world record of 840,318 set in last year’s public ballot, organisers said on Saturday.
According to Reuters, a total of 1,133,813 people across the globe applied for a place in next year’s race on April 26.
Nearly 870,000 people in the UK applied, split almost equally between men and women. Around 264,000 people from overseas entered the international ballot.
Absolutely staggering
“This is an absolutely staggering total which reaffirms London as by far the most popular marathon on the planet,” London Marathon Events CEO Hugh Brasher said in a statement.
“Marathon Day is always an extraordinary and inspirational day when we celebrate the very best of humanity.”
This is an absolutely staggering total which reaffirms London as by far the most popular marathon on the planet.” – London Marathon Events CEO Hugh Brasher
X boycott
According to The Guardian, last month the London Marathon revealed that it is permanently boycotting X, with the event director, Hugh Brasher, accusing the social media platform of “descending into a gutter” since Elon Musk took charge.
Brasher’s comments came after he was asked about the horrific levels of abuse suffered online by Eilish McColgan, who has been accused of “looking like a skeleton” and having anorexia after posting videos on social media of her training before Sunday’s race.
