In short
A charity place skips the lottery: a partner charity gives you its bib, and you commit to raising a minimum amount in donations. It is the fallback when you lose the lottery.
How it works
- Pick one of the race's partner charities, on the official website.
- Apply to the charity: places are limited and go early.
- Commit to a fundraising target set by the charity.
- Raise the money by the deadline the charity gives you.
How much to raise?
Example, London Marathon 2026: charities most often asked for £2,000 to £2,500 in donations (excluding Gift Aid), plus a registration fee of around £75 to £100. One charity we found set no minimum. Taken from the pages of 8 charities, October 2026.
The lotteries to try first
| Guide | Window | Results |
|---|---|---|
| London Marathon | April 23 to April 30, 2027 estimated | July 8, 2027 |
| New York City Marathon | February 3 to February 24, 2027 estimated | March 3, 2027 |
| Chicago Marathon | October 8 to October 29, 2026 | December 8, 2026 |
| Berlin Marathon | October 1 to November 12, 2026 | December 3, 2026 |
| Boston Marathon | September 13 to September 17, 2027 estimated | September 28, 2027 |
| Paris Marathon | September 7 to September 30, 2027 estimated | October 1, 2027 |
What our guides say
- Berlin Marathon: Free lottery, €215 only if you are drawn. A separate group with better chances for runners with a qualifying time.
To check
- The amounts for New York, Chicago, Berlin, Boston and Paris, and the list of charities: they vary by race and by charity, check each official website.
Don't miss an opening
Add every opening on this page to your calendar: your phone reminds you 1 week before and the day before each one.
Frequently asked questions
Is a charity place guaranteed?
No: each charity has few places and picks its runners. Apply early.
Can you try both the lottery and a charity place?
Yes, it is the fallback after losing the lottery, as our Berlin Marathon guide points out.
See also
London MarathonOpens April 23, 2027New York City MarathonOpens February 3, 2027Chicago MarathonOpens October 8, 2026Berlin MarathonOpens October 1, 2026Boston MarathonOpens September 13, 2027Paris MarathonOpens September 7, 2027Lotteries and ballotsEvery dateFixed-date bookingsEvery dateMarathons and halvesBy activityLottery, quota, fixed date: the 4 ways to get inThe basics
Sources and checks. Dates, prices and requirements come from the calendar's guides, which give the official source and how reliable each one is. Anything not in them yet is flagged “To check”. Page updated on October 27, 2026.