The Good for Age (GFA) times at the London Marathon have just been updated. So you’ll now need to run a little quicker to grab a GFA spot in next year’s race.
Why the change? Principally because people are getting faster. In her lastest column for marathon to get a GFA place, down from sub-3:00. Women of the same age, meanwhile, will now have to run sub-3:40, down from sub-3:45.
There are similar reductions in the older age groups, too. Men aged 40-44 will need to now run sub-3:00, while women of that age are now required to run sub-3:45. Check out the table below for the full rundown of the new GFA times.
When is the qualifying period for GFA times for the London Marathon?
GFA applications will open by the end of July 2024. To apply for a place you need to achieve the relevant qualifying time during the qualifying period. For the 2025 London Marathon, that is: 1 October 2023 to 30 September 2024.
However, meeting the qualifying time does not absolutely guarantee entry into the event. The maximum number of GFA places is 6,000 and they will be allocated on a ‘fastest first’ basis comparative to your age and the qualifying time.
How far is your longest marathon training run RW, BBC broadcaster and serial marathoner Sophie Raworth noted that ‘Record numbers applied for GFA this year [2024] and, for the first time, more than 1,000 runners were turned down, even though they’d run the qualifying times.’
She spoke with Hugh Brasher, London Marathon race director, about what might be behind the upsurge in GFA candidates. ‘Super shoes are making a difference, without a doubt,’ said Brasher. ‘It has got easier [to run a GFA time] than it was five years ago.’
Speaking about the previous GFA times, Brasher said: ‘Men are already having to run five minutes faster than the cut-off time, women two minutes faster. There’s an argument that you reduce the time for men and women so you’re not balloting people out.’ Thus the changing of GFA times (below):
| Age | Men | Women |
| 18-39 | Sub-2:55 | Sub-3:40 |
| 40-44 | Sub-3:00 | Sub-3:45 |
| 45-49 | Sub-3:05 | Sub-3:48 |
| 50-54 | Sub-3:10 | Sub-3:55 |
| 55-59 | Sub-3:15 | Sub-4:00 |
| 60-64 | Sub-3:37 | Sub-4:25 |
| 65-69 | Sub-3:55 | Sub-4:55 |
| 70-74 | Sub-4:55 | Sub-5:55 |
| 75-79 | Sub-5:10 | Sub-6:15 |
| 80-84 | Sub-5:30 | Sub-6:40 |
| 85-89 | Sub-6:10 | Sub-7:10 |
| 90+ | Sub-7:20 | Sub-7:45 |
Can I use a qualifying time from the virtual London Marathon?
Yes, you can also apply for a GFA place if you ran the London Marathon My Way within the relevant qualifying time and qualifying period detailed above.
However, you’ll also need to submit evidence of ‘real world’ half marathon time that meets the qualifying time in the table below. This time must also have been achieved during the same qualifying period and have been run at an event with a certified course.
| Age | Men | Women |
| 18-39 | Sub-1:23:37 | Sub-1:44:23 |
| 40-44 | Sub-1:26:00 | Sub1:46:47 |
| 45-49 | Sub-1:28:09 | Sub-1:48:13 |
| 50-54 | Sub-1:30:32 | Sub-1:51:34 |
| 55-59 | Sub-1:32:56 | Sub-1:53:42 |
| 60-64 | Sub-1:44:23 | Sub-2:05:25 |
| 65-69 | Sub-1:51:34 | Sub-2:19:16 |
| 70-74 | Sub-2:19:16 | Sub-2:47:13 |
| 75-79 | Sub-2:26:27 | Sub-2:56:33 |
| 80+ | Sub-2:33:22 | Sub-3:05:52 |
Find out more information on the London Marathon website.
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