A few years ago you could sign up for most big European races on a first-come basis. Now demand is so high that many have switched to a ballot: you apply in a set window, and places are drawn at random.
The numbers show why. For 2027, 166,000 people applied for the Paris Marathon ballot. The Copenhagen Half had 188,522 applications for 45,000 places, and the Copenhagen Marathon had 80,937 for 35,000.
How a ballot works
- Apply in the window. Entering is usually free (a few races charge a small fee, such as €4 for Dublin, refunded if you don't get a place).
- Wait for the draw. Results come out a few weeks after the window closes.
- Pay if you're picked. You normally have a few days to pay the full entry fee, or the place goes to someone else.
When the big ballots open
Most ballots open 6 to 12 months before race day. That catches a lot of people out: by the time you decide on a spring race, its ballot has often closed.
Missed the ballot? You still have options
- Charity places. Most big races give charities a set of places. You pay a smaller entry fee and agree to raise a set amount, often £450 to £1,000.
- Tour operator packages. Official travel partners sell guaranteed entries bundled with a hotel. They cost more, but you can book months after the ballot closes.
- Waiting lists and transfers. Some races, like Gothenburg's half marathon, run a free waiting list for places other runners give up.
- Pick a race that's still open. Barcelona (half and full), Rome, Stockholm and Riga were all open to enter at the time of writing.
Sources: Marathon Handbook (Berlin), Irish Examiner (Dublin), Reference Trail (Paris), Copenhagen Marathon, CPH Half, Berlin Half, Record (Lisbon). Dates change every year, so always check the official race site.