Sometimes life doesn't go to plan and events we've had in the diary for months are sadly postponed waiting for the day when they can finally take place.

And that’s no different for the London Marathon, whether it be an injury, illness or just not feeling fully prepared yet if you can no longer take part in the race you can defer.

The process is quick and easy to do and it gives you the option to either cancel your entry altogether or instead use your space for the following year.

Find out how to defer your space at the TCS London Marathon.

How to defer from the London Marathon

If you have decided to defer your spot all you need to do is notify the organisers via your participant dashboard which should have been emailed to you by Friday 26 August.

After you have withdrawn you will be given the option to defer your place to the following year, if eligible to do so.

Those who do defer will be emailed by the organiser with all the information needed by mid-November.

It is important to note that the deadline for withdrawal is 23.59 on Saturday 1 October, the day before the marathon.

Who can defer from the London Marathon?

Not everyone is eligible to defer from the race after the organiser made some changes to the policy this year.

If you are now pregnant or postpartum you can defer your place for the following three years, 2023, 2024 or 2025.

You will also be able to defer to 2023 if you got your place through the ballot for the 2022 TCS London Marathon or have a guaranteed place from a running club or a stakeholder.

READ MORE: London Marathon 2022 Route: What is the course?

READ MORE: Why is the London Marathon in October?

READ MORE: London Marathon Tracker App: What is it and how to use it?

However, you will still need the pay the 2023 entry fee to secure your place with more information expected by November 15.

If you had a place for the first time in the cancelled 2020 event and opted to roll this over to 2022, you can defer your place to the 2023 TCS London Marathon.

Places provided by charities can not be deferred as the place belongs to the charity meaning you will need to contact the charity directly.

Plus if you have a deferred entry from the 2021 event, it is not possible to defer again, the only exception is if you are pregnant or postpartum.

To find out more information head to the London Marathon website.