Fraudsters Exploit London Marathon Enthusiasm
As anticipation builds for the 2026 London Marathon scheduled for 26 April, fraudsters are attempting to deceive hopeful runners by offering fake race entries for sale. These scams target individuals who missed out on the official ballot and are eager to participate in one of the world’s most renowned marathons.
For example, a runner who did not secure a place through the official ballot might see a post in a running app discussion group claiming that a participant is injured and selling their marathon entry. The scammer then contacts interested parties via WhatsApp, requesting a payment of £79 through bank transfer along with personal details such as full name and email address, promising to transfer the race place.
However, such sales are fraudulent. The timing of these scams coincides with the weeks leading up to the marathon, when excitement among runners is at its peak.
Official Stance on Entry Transfers
The London Marathon organisers have made it clear that marathon entries cannot be transferred under any circumstances.
“It is a total fabrication for anyone to suggest that a TCS London Marathon place can be sold or transferred,”
“For many reasons, including medical ones, all places in the TCS London Marathon are strictly non‑transferable. Our terms and conditions of entry make clear that participants cannot swap places, or allow another person to use their bib number.”
Identifying the Scam
These scams often contain poor grammar and punctuation, which can serve as a warning sign. An example message might read:
“Hello everybody I’m still looking to sell my ticket, If anyone missed out on a spot in the marathon entry. I it and would like to transfer my registration,”
followed by a WhatsApp contact number. Once contacted, the scammer claims the place was obtained via ballot and can be transferred on the marathon’s website after the victim provides their details and pays a £79 fee. Notably, the official entry fee is £79.99.
Advice for Runners
The marathon organisers advise runners to register only through official channels, which typically involve entering the ballot or running on behalf of a registered charity.
Several red flags indicate a scam, including requests for payment via bank transfer, which lacks the protections offered by credit card payments such as Section 75 protection. Additionally, poor spelling and grammar should raise suspicion.
If you suspect you have been defrauded, the London Marathon organisers encourage you to contact them directly and report the incident. It is also recommended to keep a record of all communications with the suspected scammer.
Fitness app Strava has stated:
“Deceiving, misleading or defrauding others, or encouraging inauthentic interactions, is prohibited, and any violating accounts will be suspended. This includes exploiting bib transfers to defraud others.”
Strava provides mechanisms to report suspicious profiles on its website.
