Understanding Your Entry Options
Across all majors, there are a few common ways to secure a place:
1. Ballot Entry
This is the most accessible route, but also the most competitive.
Ballots typically open months in advance and attract hundreds of thousands of applicants, with success rates often below 10% (and in some cases, as low as 1–2%).
If you’re relying on the ballot, consistency is key. Enter every year and maximise additional draws where possible.
2. Time Qualification
For faster runners, this is often the most reliable route.
Each race sets age-based qualifying times, but hitting the standard doesn’t always guarantee entry. In high-demand races like Boston or New York, runners often need a significant buffer beyond the official time.
3. Charity Entry
A popular and meaningful way to run.
Charity places are widely available across most majors, but they come with significant fundraising commitments, ranging from around £1,000 to over £7,500 depending on the race.
It’s not the easiest route, but for many it is the most rewarding.
4. Alternative Routes
There are also lesser-known ways to improve your chances:
- Virtual race series entries
- Membership programmes
- Tour operator packages
- Corporate or sponsor entries
Breaking Down Each Major
Click on the link below to download a comprehensive guide on how to enter and the chances of success in each of the seven majors.
The Bigger Picture
Getting into the majors is part of the journey.
Each application, each training cycle, each near miss - it all builds towards something bigger.
Because when you finally stand on that start line, it’s not just about the race. It’s about everything it took to get there.