Runners on Embankment at the TCS London Marathon

Unable to take part?

Withdrawing your place

Life doesn’t always go to plan, which is why we offer a withdrawal system for anyone who needs to cancel their mass TCS London Marathon entry.

If you have a place in the 2023 mass event and are unable to take part, you’ll need to withdraw your entry. The opportunity to do this will now be available by the end of February and we’ll email everyone when this is ready. You’ll then have until 23:59 on Saturday 22 April to withdraw.

Please note that virtual TCS London Marathon entries cannot be withdrawn or deferred.

Deferring your place

Once you’ve withdrawn, you may have the chance to defer your TCS London Marathon place to the following year.

Please note that you’ll still need to pay for your deferred TCS London Marathon place.

Your eligibility to defer depends on the type of place you have – so please read the eligibility criteria below carefully.

Enhanced deferral options if you are pregnant or postpartum

If you are unable to run in 2023 because you are pregnant or postpartum, you can defer your place to one of the following three years: 2024, 2025 or 2026. If you are pregnant or postpartum and qualified for a Good For Age* or Championship place for 2023, you can defer your entry to the same category as your original place without the need to qualify again.

_{* 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 secured your place through the 2023 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 2024 TCS London Marathon. You’ll still need to pay the 2024 entry fee to secure your deferred place and we’ll email you in due course 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 2021 London Marathon

If you have a deferred entry from the 2021 event, it is not possible to defer again. The only exception is if you are pregnant or postpartum – please see above.

International entrants

Places via the international ballot

If you secured your place through the 2023 TCS London Marathon International Ballot, you can defer your place to the 2024 TCS London Marathon. You’ll still need to pay the 2024 international entry fee (minus the £26 CO2 emissions fee, which you paid when you secured your 2023 place) to secure your deferred place and we’ll email you in due course 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.

Deferred entry from the 2021 London Marathon

If you have a deferred entry from the 2021 event, it is not possible to defer again. The only exception is if you are pregnant or postpartum – please see above.