Can't Run London Marathon 2027? Every Option Explained

What is Good For Age and how does it work?

Good For Age (GFA) is London Marathon's route for runners who prove they can run fast enough to earn a place — rather than winning one randomly in the ballot. Every year, London allocates up to 6,000 GFA places (3,000 men, 3,000 women) to UK residents who achieve a qualifying marathon time during the designated window, on a certified course.

It's one of the strongest routes into the race for runners who have the legs for it. The ballot gives you roughly a 1-in-25 chance at best. GFA is not guaranteed either — places are allocated fastest-first and can be oversubscribed — but if you're running times near or inside the standards for your age group, GFA is a far more reliable path than the ballot.

2027 GFA qualifying times by age group

The official 2027 GFA times have not yet been published by London Marathon Events. Based on the established pattern — the 2026 times were 3 minutes faster for men and 2 minutes faster for women than 2025 — the 2027 standards will be announced ahead of the qualifying window opening. Check the official GFA page for the confirmed 2027 times once published.

For reference, the 2025 GFA times were:

One critical rule that catches runners: your age is based on the age you were when you ran the qualifying time, not your age on race day. This matters if you're approaching an age-band boundary. A runner who turns 40 before race day but was 39 when they ran their qualifying time is assessed as a 39-year-old for GFA purposes — and must meet the 18–39 standard, not the 40–44 one.

The qualifying window and application process

GFA runs on two separate windows — the window in which you must run your qualifying time, and the window in which you apply for a GFA place. They don't overlap.

What proof do you need to apply?

GFA applications go through the London Marathon Events website. When you apply, you need to provide three things:

• Proof of performance — a link to the official race results webpage that clearly shows your full name, the event date, and your finishing time. Screenshots are not accepted. The race must be on a certified course (UKA, AIMS, or the relevant national governing body for the country where the race was held).
• Proof of age — a copy of your passport or driving licence. Remember: your age is assessed as the age you were on the day you ran the qualifying time, not race day.
• Proof of UK residence — an official document showing your UK address, issued within the last three months. A recent utility bill or your driving licence (if it shows your current UK address) are the standard accepted documents.

Fastest-first — what it really means for your odds

GFA is capped at 6,000 places — 3,000 men and 3,000 women. Within each age group and gender, places are allocated on a fastest-first basis. That means meeting the qualifying time for your age group does not guarantee you a place — it gives you the right to apply. If applications exceed the cap (which they typically do), only the fastest applicants within each age/gender bracket receive a place.

London Marathon explicitly advises runners to also enter the ballot if their qualifying time is within 10 minutes of the GFA standard. If you've run a 3:03 as a man in the 18–39 category, you've met the standard — but you're close enough to the cut-off that you may not make the fastest-first cut. Enter the ballot as your backup. The two routes are not mutually exclusive, and if you get a GFA place, London removes you from the ballot automatically.

If your time is borderline — what to do

If you're within 10 minutes of the GFA standard for your age group, here's the practical strategy:

• Enter the ballot regardless — the ballot closed on 1 May 2026 for 2027. If you entered, you have results in July. GFA is a separate second bite.
• Target a PB race before September 2026 — the qualifying window is likely open until end of September 2026. If you're close to the standard, a well-paced spring or summer marathon on a flat certified course could get you there. Gold Coast (July) and Edinburgh (May) are both AIMS-certified and fast.
• Apply for GFA even if you're borderline — the worst outcome is not receiving a place. Apply and also pursue charity as a parallel track.
• Consider Championship entry if you're significantly faster — Championship entry has tighter time standards but 1,200 places (600 men/women), and unsuccessful UK Championship applicants fall back to GFA consideration. If you're well inside the GFA standard, it's worth checking whether you meet Championship times.

GFA vs charity vs Championship entry

For UK runners with times near the GFA standard, the optimal strategy is: apply for GFA, enter the ballot as backup, and contact one or two charities as a third track. Running the charity route alongside GFA adds some fundraising commitment but eliminates the risk of missing out entirely if your time is borderline.

Frequently asked questions

I live outside the UK. Can I apply for GFA?

No. GFA is open to UK residents only. Non-UK runners can pursue Championship entry (if they hold a UKA club membership), charity places, or Tour Operator packages. If a non-UK runner applies for Championship entry and is unsuccessful, they are not eligible to fall back to GFA.

Can I defer a GFA place?

No. GFA places cannot be deferred. The one exception is runners who are pregnant or postpartum — they can defer a GFA place for up to three years without needing to run another qualifying time. All other runners who cannot race forfeit the place. There are no person-to-person transfers for GFA places.

I ran my qualifying time at an overseas marathon. Does it count?

Yes — provided the race course was certified by AIMS, UKA, or the national governing body for distance running in the country where the race was held. Most major international marathons are AIMS-certified. Check the AIMS website if you're unsure about a specific race. Triathlons are not accepted regardless of certification.

I just turned 40 but I ran my qualifying time when I was 39. Which age group do I apply in?

You apply in the 18–39 age group and must meet the 18–39 time standard. GFA age is based on the age you were on the day you ran the qualifying time, not your age on race day. This is the opposite of most other major marathons (Boston, Chicago, NYC), which use race-day age. It's a detail worth checking if you're on an age-band boundary.

When will the 2027 GFA application window open?

Based on previous years, the GFA application portal opens in October, after the qualifying window closes at the end of September. The 2026 GFA application portal opened in early October 2025. Expect 2027 applications to open around the same time in October 2026. Watch the official London Marathon GFA page for the confirmed date.

What happens if I get a GFA place but also win the ballot?

London Marathon removes GFA applicants from the ballot draw once a GFA place is confirmed. You won't hold two places. If you somehow receive both notifications, contact London Marathon Events directly — you cannot run twice and you cannot give the second place to another runner.