London Marathon receives world record 840,000 applications for 2025 race

29 April 2024 - 07:03 By Angelica Medina
subscribe Just R20 for the first month. Support independent journalism by subscribing to our digital news package.
Subscribe now
Kenya's Peres Jepchirchir crosses the finish line to win the women's elite race of the London Marathon last week.
Kenya's Peres Jepchirchir crosses the finish line to win the women's elite race of the London Marathon last week.
Image: Reuters/Matthew Childs

London Marathon organisers said they have received 840,318 applications for the 2025 race, breaking the world record of 578,374 set in last year's public ballot.

More than 53,000 runners completed the 44th edition of the marathon last week, a record for the event, with Olympic champion Peres Jepchirchir setting a women-only world record.

There were an estimated 17,000 ballot spaces available for this year's race.

"This is an absolutely phenomenal total," event director Hugh Brasher said on Monday.

"Furthermore, the increase in applications from women, up from around 43% last year to 49% this year, is exceptional and takes us close to parity for applications for the first time.

"We want to inspire people of all ages and abilities to get active, and these amazing record-breaking figures show how the TCS London Marathon is doing that and how many people want to be part of it," Brasher said.

The 2025 London Marathon is scheduled for April 27.

Reuters


subscribe Just R20 for the first month. Support independent journalism by subscribing to our digital news package.
Subscribe now

Would you like to comment on this article?
Sign up (it's quick and free) or sign in now.

Speech Bubbles

Please read our Comment Policy before commenting.