Marathon Swims 2026

Marathon Swims returns to the London Aquatics Centre on Sunday 1 November 2026.​

​

London's marathon of swimming returns to the LAC. Challenges include the Marathon 10k, Half Marathon 5k, 1k Challenge and Team 10k.​​

​

Charity places:

Swim for our amazing charity partner Alzheimer's Society and Level Water. Places available in all challenge distances. Fundraising asks from £150. Secure your place on the start line today. There is an exclusive charity place sales window between 5 - 26 March 2026.

​

General entry:

General entry tickets will be sold on a first come, first served basis from 26 March 2026 (1k Challenge and Team 10k only). The general entry tickets for the Marathon 10k and Half Marathon 5k will be sold via a public ballot (between 26 March and 30 April 2026).

​

Ballots:

Marathon Swims is heavily oversubscribed each year, so we operate a ballot as the fairest way of distributing the places. Ballots were operated for the Marathon 10k and Half Marathon 5k. 

​

Entries to the ballot are free of charge. Payment details are taken at point of registration to the ballot. Only successful ballot entrants will have a payment taken. All successful entrants will be notified. All ballot entries have an equal chance. It does not matter when you enter the ballot, as long as you do so before the closing date. 

​

Some successful entries on the ballot may have their payment fail. If this occurs the entrant will be given 5 days to pay the amount owed to claim their place. If the entry fee remains unpaid after 5 days, then the place will be cancelled and offered on a first come, first served basis to all unsuccessful ballot entrants.