London Marathon Events (LME) has opened applications to become the main charity partner for the 2027 edition of the annual running event.
The successful applicant will be guaranteed 250 places at the 2027 event, plus 50 in 2028, 25 in 2029 and 10 in 2030, all at ballot price and in addition to any entries the charity may already hold.
Samaritans, the marathon’s official charity for the 2024 edition, announced last year that it had raised £1.1m from the event, four times the amount that it would usually raise annually via the event.
The previous charity of the year for 2023, Great Ormond Street Hospital Children’s Charity, raised £2.7m, while the current partner for the 2025 edition, Pancreatic Cancer UK, is hoping to raise £2m.
‘An amazing opportunity’
The marathon has become the most successful one-day annual fundraising event in the world since its founding in 1981.
LME announced last year that 2024 had been its most successful ever year. A total of £73.5m was raised for over 1,700 charities by fundraisers for the marathon, which is the largest ever total for a one-day fundraising event.
Meanwhile, Enthuse, the marathon’s official online fundraising partner, also saw an unprecedented £30m raised via its platform.
Sarah Ball, head of charities at the TCS London Marathon, said: “This is an amazing opportunity for a charity – or a consortium of charities – to become the 2027 TCS London Marathon charity of the year.
“We want to hear from charities that are looking to fund an innovative project or projects that will create a lasting impact. This is a unique chance for a charity to reach new audiences and raise millions for its cause.”
Applications for the 2027 charity of the year are set to close on Monday 12 May, while the 2025 edition of the marathon will take place on Sunday 27 April.
