BALLOT PLACES
The public ballot for TCS London Marathon 2026 is open! Apply for a ballot place on the event organisers’ website now and if you are lucky enough to get your own place we would really love to have you as part of Team Young Lives. The public ballot is open from the 25th April – 2nd May with the results announced in July. Good luck!
CHARITY PLACES
Applications for our charity places for the 2026 TCS London Marathon open on the 25th April! Tell us why running for Young Lives vs Cancer would mean so much to you and how you would raise those crucial funds. We ask for a £100 registration fee (payable only if your application is successful) and a pledge to raise £2,500.
Run with the best team in the world
Clapping, cheering, a firm pat on the back and knowing that whatever happens, you’re in it together. The magic of crossing the London Marathon finish line will stay with you for a lifetime. But it’s the team behind you which helps you get there. And we have a spot on our team waiting for you.
From specialist fundraising support to the loudest cheering squad and best post-race treatments, Team Young Lives knows how to do the London Marathon properly. We’re proud to have you on our team and we’re committed to giving you the best experience.
Welcome to Team Young Lives. A community of go-getters, challenge accepters and memory makers. A team where targets are smashed, fun is a priority and every single achievement is celebrated.
Ready to join us on Sunday 26 April 2026?
Meet Team Young Lives Runners
“Running for Young Lives v Cancer is not just about supporting an incredible charity, it is about becoming part of an amazing Team. Having run previously for the charity, I felt compelled to return, as the passion of Young Lives vs Cancer Team is infectious. To be wearing their vest on the big day with their cheer stations and our fellow team runners all supporting each other on the course enhanced my experience. I felt that I was part of something bigger than just the London Marathon (and that is pretty amazing!!) and through that shared experience have made friends for life within the team. I ran the London Marathon with Young Lives vs Cancer, hoping help change peoples lives. What I didn’t expect was how the experience of being part of the Young Lives Team would change my life!” Simon Perry
“Being part of Team Young Lives is like having a second family who give unwavering and generous support and assurance to each other. Everyone is made to feel welcome and valued. Having been part of the team for 7 years, I’ve made some life long friends and cannot imagine running the marathon for any other charity”. David Yim
Reasons to run for Team Young Lives
The perks
We love our runners, and we want them to have an awesome London marathon experience! Some of the benefits of joining our team are:
- Our online Event Hub where you can find training plans, useful fundraising tools and injury resolution advice
- Our closed Facebook group Meet the rest of the 2026 team, share fundraising and training tips and get excited together
- A personalised running vest and face transfers, so you look awesome and stand out in the crowd
- The loudest, proudest cheer team along the route to help you smash through ‘the wall’ and get across the finish line
- A well-deserved massage to get you ready for…
- The massive post-race party where you can mingle with new friends, swap stories and celebrate how amazing you all are.
- Bespoke training plan through Coopah so you can train how and when suits you
The cause
When a child is diagnosed with cancer life becomes full of fear, for them and their family. Fear of treatment, but also of families being torn apart, overwhelming money worries, of having nowhere to turn, no one to talk to.
At Young Lives vs Cancer, we help families find the strength to face whatever cancer throws at them. We provide grants and free accommodation close to hospital to help with spiralling costs. Our care teams are on hand to help families with everything from getting benefits to treatment closer to home. And we lobby the government to make sure they get the support they’re entitled to. Powered by the kindness of our supporters, we’ll face it all together.
Join us at TCS London Marathon 2026 and use your marathon miles to make a difference to young cancer patients.