If you’ve run a marathon since 1 October 2025, you may already have a London place sitting on your Strava. The 2027 Good For Age window is open now, and you have until 16:00 on Thursday 29 October 2026 to apply.
The good news first: the qualifying times haven’t changed. The 2027 standards are the same as 2026, so men aged 40 to 44 still need to run under 2:57, and women in the same age group need to run under 3:43. Your target hasn’t moved since last year.
What has changed is the race itself. For one year only, London becomes a two-day event, with 100,000 runners across Saturday 24 and Sunday 25 April 2027. GFA runners are split by gender: men run on Saturday and women on Sunday.
One thing hasn’t grown with the field. GFA is still capped at 6,000 places, 3,000 for men and 3,000 for women, and when more people apply than there are places, the fastest runners in each age group get in first. Running inside the standard gets you through the door. It doesn’t guarantee you a place.
Below you’ll find the full 2027 qualifying times for every age group, how to apply, what the double weekend means for your race, and how to give yourself the best chance of a place.
Good For Age entry is a valued way to secure a spot in the London Marathon. Runners qualify by achieving exceptional marathon times for their age and gender, pushing athletes to set and surpass competitive targets.
GFA entry is open only to UK residents who meet the qualifying times in official marathons, including the London Marathon GFA and England Athletics. For 2027, 6,000 spots are designated for GFA entries, split evenly between men and women. These age places are allocated based on age and gender categories, ensuring that only the most competitive runners secure a place.
If more runners meet the qualifying times than there are spots available, priority goes to the fastest runners among the fastest qualifiers. These spots are allocated on a fastest first basis within each age category, making the GFA entry a prestigious and motivating target for many marathoners.
For one year only, London becomes a two-day event. The 2027 TCS London Marathon Double takes place on Saturday 24 and Sunday 25 April, with 100,000 runners across the weekend on the same Greenwich to Westminster route.
If you’re applying through Good For Age, your gender decides your day. The men’s elite, Championship and GFA races are on Saturday 24 April. The women’s are on Sunday 25 April. The order was settled in the most British way possible: a game of rock, paper, scissors between champions Sebastian Sawe and Catherine Debrunner. Debrunner won, and the women took Sunday.
The detail that matters most for GFA hopefuls is this: the field is doubling, but GFA places aren’t. The cap stays at 6,000 (3,000 men and 3,000 women), allocated fastest first within each age group. A bigger event doesn’t make a GFA place any easier to get.
If you’re a man racing on Saturday, plan your week around it. The Running Show is expected to run from Tuesday 20 to Saturday 24 April, so collecting your number on race morning isn’t an option. Book Friday night accommodation early, because 50,000 runners will be looking for the same beds.
The qualifying times haven’t changed this year. The 2027 standards are exactly the same as 2026, in every age group, for men and women. If you’ve been training towards your 2026 target, keep training towards it.
That wasn’t the case last year. For 2026, London tightened the standards across the board: men had to run three minutes faster than in 2025 and women two minutes faster, with only the 85 to 89 and 90+ categories left alone. This year the times have stayed put, but the race around them has changed a lot.
This is the change that matters most if you’re applying through Good For Age. The field is doubling, but GFA places aren’t. The cap stays at 6,000, split evenly between 3,000 men and 3,000 women.
When more people apply than there are places, the places go to the fastest runners in each age group first. So running inside the standard is only the first step. The further under it you are, the better your chances.
Here are the Good for Age qualifying times required for the 2027 London Marathon:
| Age | Men | Women |
| 18-39 | sub 2:52 | sub 3:38 |
| 40-44 | sub 2:57 | sub 3:43 |
| 45-49 | sub 3:02 | sub 3:46 |
| 50-54 | sub 3:07 | sub 3:53 |
| 55-59 | sub 3:12 | sub 3:58 |
| 60-64 | sub 3:34 | sub 4:23 |
| 65-69 | sub 3:52 | sub 4:53 |
| 70-74 | sub 4:52 | sub 5:53 |
| 75-79 | sub 5:07 | sub 6:13 |
| 80-84 | sub 5:27 | sub 6:38 |
| 85-89 | sub 6:10 | sub 7:10 |
| 90+ | sub 7:20 | sub 7:45 |
For 2027, the London Marathon has kept its Good For Age (GFA) qualifying times exactly as they were in 2026. Last year the standards got tougher: men had to run three minutes faster than in 2025 and women two minutes faster, in every age group except 85 to 89 and 90+. This year nobody has to run any faster. If you were chasing a 2026 standard, that same time will qualify you for 2027.
Your qualifying time must come from a race on a course certified by the Association for International Marathons and Distance Races (AIMS) or a national governing body, and it must have been run between 1 October 2025 and 30 September 2026.
Even with the standards unchanged, getting a place could be harder. 2027 is a one-off two-day event, with men running on Saturday 24 April and women on Sunday 25 April, and 100,000 runners across the weekend. GFA places stay capped at 6,000 (3,000 men and 3,000 women), and when more people apply than there are places, the fastest runners in each age group get in first. Running inside your standard gets your application considered. The further under it you are, the better your chances of a place.
London Marathon Events hasn’t published a detailed explanation for tightening the times in 2026. But the way GFA places are handed out makes the reason fairly clear.
There’s a fixed number of GFA places: 6,000, split evenly between men and women. Demand for London keeps climbing, and with more than 1.3 million people entering the ballot, hitting a GFA time is one of the few ways to get a place without relying on luck. More good runners are chasing a set number of places.
When more people apply than there are places, they go to the fastest runners in each age group first. That means the real cut-off can end up well inside the published standard. A runner who goes a few seconds under their target can do everything right and still miss out. Tightening the standards in 2026 moved the published times closer to the times people actually needed to run to get in, so the target means more and fewer runners are disappointed.
For 2027 the standards haven’t changed, even though the event is doubling to 100,000 runners over two days. The GFA cap hasn’t grown with it. The extra places are going to the ballot and other entry routes, not to GFA. So there are just as many GFA places as before, and possibly more runners going for them.
Treat your age-group standard as the minimum, not the goal. If you’re aiming for London through GFA, give yourself a margin. Try to run a few minutes under your standard, not a few seconds, because that’s what turns “eligible” into “accepted”.
To qualify for 2027, you need to have run your time between 1 October 2025 and 30 September 2026. The window has now closed, so the question isn’t whether you can still run a qualifying time but whether you already have one. If you do, the deadline to apply is 16:00 GMT on Thursday 29 October 2026.
Your time has to come from an in-person marathon on a course certified by UK Athletics, AIMS or the relevant national governing body. Virtual races don’t count. If you ran a smaller marathon, check that the course was certified before you apply, because a fast time on an uncertified course won’t be accepted.
Your age category is decided by how old you were on the day you ran your time, not how old you’ll be on race day. That’s worth checking if you’ve had a milestone birthday recently. If you ran your qualifier at 44 and you’ve since turned 45, you’re judged against the 40 to 44 standard.
GFA is open to UK residents only. When you apply, you’ll need three things:
There are separate application links for men and women, because the two groups race on different days in 2027: men on Saturday 24 April and women on Sunday 25 April.
Running the standard gives you the chance to apply, not a guaranteed place. There are 6,000 GFA places, 3,000 for men and 3,000 for women, and if more people apply than there are places, the fastest runners in each age group get in first. GFA places can’t be deferred, except in cases of pregnancy or recent childbirth.
Achieving a GFA qualification requires running a marathon on a certified course. These courses must be certified by UKA, the Association for International Marathons and Distance Races (AIMS), or another national governing body to ensure the validity of the qualifying times. This certification guarantees that the course meets specific standards, providing a fair and consistent measure of performance.
Only officially certified marathons will be accepted for GFA applications.
This rigorous adherence to certified courses ensures the integrity of the GFA qualification process, maintaining a level playing field for all aspiring marathoners.
A well-rounded training regimen is essential for achieving GFA times. Incorporate variety in your training, including easy runs, tempo runs, and interval training, to enhance overall performance. Establishing a pacing strategy based on your training and fitness level can also help prevent fatigue and improve your marathon performance. Running for the country at certified events ensures that your qualifying times are valid and recognised.
Why not download one of our Coach the Run Marathon Training Plans, expertly written by our Head Coach and London Marathon winner, Mike Gratton? Designed to cater to all abilities, our plans range from beginner-friendly to elite-level schedules for those targeting an impressive 2 hours 10 minutes. These plans focus on achieving qualifying times at recognised distance races, aligning with distance race aims to meet entry standards for prestigious events.
Mental strategies, such as positive visualisation, can also help manage the psychological challenges encountered during a marathon. Cross-training, including activities like cycling or swimming, can enhance endurance and reduce injury risks.
These tips can significantly improve your chances of achieving the qualifying times needed for GFA entry, making your marathon journey both rewarding and successful.
Looking to qualify for the GFA or hit a new personal best? 1:1 coaching might be just what you need to level up your training. At Coach the Run, we’re proud to offer our Run Your Best Race online coaching package led by none other than London Marathon winner Mike Gratton.
This bespoke programme is tailored to your goals, whether you’re chasing a sub-3-hour marathon, aiming to break the 4-hour mark, or training for your very first race finish. With Mike’s expert guidance, you’ll train smarter, avoid injuries, and unlock your full potential.
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After submitting your GFA entry application, expect confirmation within a few weeks after the application window closes during GFA time. The timeline may vary depending on the volume of applications received. If your GFA application is unsuccessful, consider entering the London Marathon ballot as an alternative route to secure a place in this highly sought-after event.
If your application is successful, you will receive instructions on the next steps to finalise your entry. If unsuccessful, you will be notified and may have the opportunity to enter the ballot. Additionally, runners who meet the necessary criteria, such as previous marathon times and registration with national governing bodies, may aim for a Championship place, highlighting the competition and difficulty of securing a spot in this prestigious event.
If you already have a qualifying time, your next step is simple: apply before 16:00 GMT on Thursday 29 October 2026. Get your results link, your passport or driving licence and a recent utility bill ready, and don’t leave it until the last day. If your time is well inside your standard, you have a good chance. If you scraped under by a few seconds, still apply, but be ready for the chance that the fastest-first cut-off goes deeper than your time.
If you don’t have a qualifying time yet, 2027 isn’t an option, but 2028 is. If London follows its usual pattern, the next qualifying window will open on 1 October 2026, so any marathon you run from now on could count. Pick your race, give yourself a proper training block, and aim to finish a few minutes under your standard, not a few seconds. That margin is what turns an application into a place.
That’s exactly the kind of goal a structured plan is built for. Our Marathon Training Plans give you a clear week-by-week route to race day. If you want someone to set your paces, adjust your training around work and family, and plan your race-day strategy with you, Run Your Best Race one-to-one online coaching puts you directly with Mike.
Whether you are striving for a GFA or Championship entry, the journey to the starting line is a testament to your dedication and passion for running. Keep pushing your limits, and you may find yourself among the elite runners at the next London Marathon!
The qualifying period for the 2027 GFA entry runs from October 1, 2025, to September 30, 2026. Make sure you’re ready within those dates!
There are 6,000 Good For Age places for 2027: 3,000 for men and 3,000 for women. The total doesn’t grow with the two-day format. The event doubles to 100,000 runners, but the GFA cap stays the same as in previous years.
If your GFA application isn’t successful, you’ll be informed about it, and you might have a chance to enter the ballot instead. So, keep your head up; there’s still a possibility!
You’ll need to provide proof of performance, proof of age, and proof of UK residence for GFA entry. Make sure to have these documents ready to streamline your application process!
Both. Men’s GFA is Saturday 24 April and women’s is Sunday 25 April.
No. They’re the same as 2026.
No, the cap stays at 6,000.
Not with a ballot or charity place.
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