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Run the 2027 TCS London Marathon for Blesma

About the Event

Run one of the world’s most iconic marathons – the TCS London Marathon, on Sunday, 27th April 2027. You will pass legendary landmarks including Tower Bridge, the Tower of London, Canary Wharf, Big Ben, and the Houses of Parliament before finishing on The Mall in front of Buckingham Palace.

By running for Blesma, The Limbless Veterans, you will make a significant, positive difference on the lives of severely injured and limbless veterans.

How do I get a ballot place for the London Marathon?

Every year, a public ballot takes place to ensure the application process remains fair despite the hundreds of thousands of people who apply. For the 2027 event, the ballot is open from Friday, 24th April until Friday, 1st May 2026, at 4PM UK time.

The results will be announced in July, 2026. You can apply for the TCS London Marathon ballot via the official London Marathon Events website.

What happens once I’ve got my ballot place?

Many people who are successful in the ballot choose to run for a cause close to their hearts. If you’d like to run for Blesma and support veterans, you can apply for one of our charity places. To join the team, please email us at fundraising@blesma.org. Please make sure to apply by 31st August 2026.

What happens if I don’t get a ballot place for the London Marathon?

If you are unsuccessful in the ballot, you can still apply for one of Blesma's guaranteed charity places. These places are limited and allocated through an application process. Successful applicants are asked to pay a £100 registration fee and commit to raising a minimum of £2,500. If you’d like to run for Blesma, please make sure to apply early for one of our charity places. Please email us at fundraising@blesma.org to apply.

Ballot places for the London Marathon

If you have secured your own place via the London Marathon ballot and would like to run for Blesma, we can send you a Blesma running top and fundraising pack. Please email us at fundraising@blesma.org. 

Why should I run for Blesma?

When you run for Blesma, you support veterans who have experienced life-changing limb loss or the loss of use of a limb. Every pound you raise helps fund:

  • Financial assistance to help veterans manage the additional costs and hardships of living with a disability.
  • Expert advice on prosthetics, mobility aids, and benefit entitlements.
  • Support and Outreach Officers, who provide dedicated practical advice and emotional support to injured veterans and their families.

You’ll also receive an exclusive Blesma running top and fundraising pack to help with your fundraising.

 

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London Marathon FAQs

When are where exactly is the London Marathon?

In 2027, the London Marathon will take place on Sunday, 27th April. However, the event organisers are exploring a one-off, two-day format to accommodate more runners. More information will likely be released soon. 

There are three different start lines at the London Marathon, due to the sheer size of the event, which are located between Greenwich and Blackheath. The route takes runners over Tower Bridge, through Canary Wharf and ending at The Mall, in front of Buckingham Palace. View the full marathon route. 

How far is the London Marathon?

The course is a standard marathon distance of 26.2 miles (42.195 km).

How to get a place at the London Marathon?

You can get a place at the London Marathon by signing up to the ballot on the official TCS London Marathon website. If you’re unsuccessful you may be able to get a charity place by enquiring with a charity. At Blesma, we have a small number of charity places available. Please email us at fundraising@blesma.org if you’re interested.

Is it hard to get a charity place for the London Marathon?

Because public ballot places are so oversubscribed, charity places are in high demand. There are approximately 25,000 charity places available across hundreds of organisations. To increase your chances of joining the Blesma team, we recommend applying as soon as the ballot results are released in July.

How many people are running at the London Marathon?

In 2026, it’s estimated that there will be more than 59,000 runners. Due to the large number of people trying to enter the marathon, it’s predicted that there will be more runners for the 2027 event if the two-day format takes place. 

We can help

We are dedicated to assisting serving and ex-Service men and women who have suffered life-changing limb loss or the use of a limb, an eye or sight. We support these men and women in their communities throughout the UK. Click the link below to find out the different kinds of support we offer.

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