With the 2026 London Marathon set for 26 April, fraudsters are exploiting disappointed runners by offering fake places for sale. Scammers post in running app discussion groups, claiming to sell their entry due to injury, then demand payment via bank transfer.
The organisers stress that marathon entries are strictly non-transferable under any circumstances. 'It is a total fabrication for anyone to suggest that a TCS London Marathon place can be sold or transferred,' they said, adding that terms and conditions prohibit swapping places or using another person's bib number.
Victims are contacted on WhatsApp after expressing interest. The scammer claims the place can be transferred on the marathon website once a £79 fee is paid and personal details provided. The real entry fee is £79.99, but the sale is a fabrication.
Red flags include requests for bank transfer—which lacks card payment protections like Section 75—and poor spelling or grammar. The organisers advise signing up only through official channels: the ballot or charity places.
Fitness app Strava stated: 'Deceiving, misleading or defrauding others… is prohibited, and any violating accounts will be suspended.' Runners who suspect fraud should contact the marathon organisers via the official website and Report Fraud, keeping records of all interactions.
