Lottery Watch
Which major-race lotteries and registration windows are open right now, and what opens next. Dates drift a little every year, so verify on the official site before planning. Full entry strategies in Getting In.
- OPEN Chicago Marathon applicationOPEN NOW through about November 30 · The friendliest major lottery, for the following October.
- OPEN Berlin Marathon lotteryOPEN NOW through about November 30 · Roughly one in three. Teams of up to three enter together.
- OPEN Hardrock 100 applicationOPEN NOW through about November 1 · Qualifiers only. The draw happens in early December.
- OPEN Boston 2 Big Sur registrationOPEN NOW through about October 31 · Requires a confirmed Boston entry. Capped, and it sells out.
- SOON UTMB lottery registrationOpens around December 15 (54 days) · Running Stones required. Results in late January.
- SOON Comrades Marathon entriesOpens around October 25 (3 days) · Sub-5:00 marathon qualifier. 2027 is the 100th running.
- SOON Western States lottery registrationOpens around November 1 (10 days) · Your qualifier must be done. Draw is the first Saturday of December.
- SOON Leadville 100 lotteryOpens around December 1 (40 days) · No qualifier required. Notifications in early January.
- NYC Marathon drawingTypically opens around February 1, 2027 · General drawing for the November race. Low odds, free to enter.
- Wonderland Trail early access lotteryTypically opens around February 10, 2027 · Camping permits for Rainier's 93-mile loop. Over 10,000 entries a year.
- Mount Whitney permit lotteryTypically opens around February 1, 2027 · Day-use permits for the highest point in the lower 48.
- Marine Corps Marathon lotteryTypically opens around March 18, 2027 · Two-week window, selections on April 1. No charge unless you're picked.
- Tor des Géants registrationTypically opens around March 1, 2027 · 330 km around the Aosta Valley, or until places fill.
- Dipsea Race applications closeTypically opens around March 1, 2027 · Paper application, mailed, received by April 1. Yes, really.
- London Marathon ballotTypically opens around April 20, 2027 · Opens right after race weekend and closes fast. 840,000+ apply.
- Cocodona 250 lotteryTypically opens around May 1, 2027 · One ticket per applicant, results in early June.
- Tokyo Marathon lotteryTypically opens around August 1, 2027 · Entries for the March race. Roughly ten applicants per place.
- Big Sur random drawingTypically opens around August 19, 2027 · Highway 1, closed to cars. Winners announced about a week later.
- Boston Marathon registrationTypically opens around September 14, 2027 · Five-day qualifier window. New for 2027: a second-chance draw for ~1,000 spots.