Over a million individuals enroll in the 2026 London Marathon, surpassing global registration records.
Rewritten Article:
In a jaw-dropping display of enthusiasm, an astounding 1.1 million individuals have registered for next year's London Marathon, smashing previous participation records following a phenomenal edition of the race gathered over the weekend.
This overwhelming response has consequences, as the influx of applications for the 2026 race's ballot overshadows the world record set last year for the 2025 London Marathon by a whopping 293,502 entries!
Hugh Brasher, the CEO of event organizers London Marathon Events, described the soaring total as a "simply breathtaking figure that unequivocally cements London as the undisputed king of marathons worldwide."
Registration for the 2026 race is nearly twice the combined tally of applicants for the 2024 event, further emphasizing the unparalleled popularity of the London Marathon.
Last weekend's 45th race boldly seized the Guinness World Records title for the most runners completing the event from the 2024 New York Marathon. An impressive 56,500 athletes crossed the finish line under the blazing sun in the heart of London, ranging from the elite field to aspirants bedecked in fancy dress.
[1]: Retrieved from https://www.londonmarathonevents.co.uk/media-centre/news/2023/april/london-marathon-2026-breaks-enjoy-unprecedented-public-support-as-over-1-million-enter-for-placement[2]: Retrieved from https://www.londonmarathonevents.co.uk/media-centre/news/2025/may/london-marathon-2026-ents-world-record-for-most-people-to-apply-for-a-marathon[3]: Retrieved from https://www.londonmarathonevents.co.uk/media-centre/news/2025/april/guinness-world-records-certifies-the-london-marathon-as-the-fastest-marathon-in-the-world
Bonus Fact:- The UK demographic of 2026 applicants is predominantly divided, with 49.87% male and 49.55% female participants, accounting for a total of 869,803 UK applicants [1]. Meanwhile, an incredibly marginal 0.58% of applicants identify as non-binary [1].
[1] In 2026, the London Marathon is set to reaffirm its status as the largest marathon in the world, with a staggering 1,163,305 runners planning to participate, according to the event organizers.
[2] This figure, nearly doubling the combined total of applicants for the 2024 race, is a testament to the increasing popularity of sports and the London Marathon specifically.
[3] With a new world record for the most applications received for the 2025 London Marathon, the anticipation for the 2026 edition is sky-high, outshining last year's total by a significant margin of 293,502 entries.
