Getting a ballot place in the London Marathon is no small feat. Every year since the marathon was first run in 1981, the race has sold out and competition has increased year on year.
In 2020, records were broken with a total of 255,161 people applying for the event. With a maximum capacity of 45,000, this means that the chances of getting a ballot place are approximately 1 in 6. The London Marathon is one of the most popular marathons in the world, with applicants from all over the world, which means that the odds of securing a place can often be higher than 6 to 1.
In an attempt to make the ballot process fairer, London Marathon organisers offer a variety of different ways to enter the race. The official Virgin Money London Marathon ballot is open to all and is the most popular way to enter the race.
However, charities often have their own ballot places which goes to their highest fundraisers, Tour operators have packages which include a ballot place, and there are also hundreds of ballot places for budding runners who have been identified and invited to enter by their running/athletic clubs.
The chances of getting a ballot place in the London Marathon depend on the number of people who enter the race, their locations and their qualifications. While the odds are never a certainty, it is still possible to secure a place – and with the right preparation and dedication, it can most definitely be achieved.
How many people apply for London Marathon ballot?
Each year, hundreds of thousands of people apply for the London Marathon ballot. In 2019, approximately 407,000 people applied for the ballot, and a total of 239,000 people finished the race. During the 2020 London Marathon, due to the pandemic, the number of people who applied for the ballot was drastically reduced with only around 40,000 people applying.
This number had dropped to a mere 15,200 for the 2021 London Marathon, due to the ongoing pandemic and the restrictions it has placed on large gatherings. Despite the significantly reduced numbers, the London Marathon is still one of the most popular marathons in the world, and the ballot remains hugely oversubscribed.
How many London Marathon ballot places are there?
Each year, approximately 40,000 ballot places are available in the London Marathon. To enter the ballot, applicants must register online and be at least 18 years of age. The ballot entry process is a random selection, and up to 400,000 people enter the ballot each year.
The number of people who enter the ballot is much higher than the number of places available, so successful applicants account for only two percent of applicants. Applicants are judged against the entry regulations that have been set by the Virgin Money London Marathon organisers.
These regulations cover factors such as age, time, and location. Successful applicants will be informed prior to the deadline for entries or shortly after.
How does ballot entry for London marathon work?
The London Marathon is one of the most popular races in the world and places often get filled up quickly. Therefore, a ballot entry system has been put in place to give a fair chance to all runners wishing to take part.
The ballot entry for entry for the London Marathon is as follows:
– All runners must apply for a place through the official London Marathon website.
– All applications are handled later on via the ballot entry system.
– All entries are pooled together and the race organisers pick entries randomly using computer software.
– Entrants can then check on the official website to see if they have been successful.
– Those who got a place in the race are given nine weeks to pay their entry fee.
– The ballot entry closes in the middle of January each year, with results being announced at the end of March.
– Although it can be difficult to receive a place in the London Marathon through the ballot entry system, those who are unsuccessful will automatically be included in a draw for the mass entry race spots.
– Those who receive a place in the ballots can defer their spot to the following year if necessary.
Overall, the ballot entry system for the London Marathon helps ensure that completing the race is accessible to all runners and gives them a fair chance of being accepted in to the race.
Is London Marathon ballot random?
No, the London Marathon ballot is not random. Everyone is placed in a tiered system based on the number of ballots they submit, and the lottery-style draw takes place after the entry window has closed.
Those who have submitted more ballots have a better chance of being selected as they automatically receive additional virtual entries when they submit physical ones. The system is designed to ensure that everyone stands an equal chance of being successful no matter how many times they enter the ballot.
At the end of the entry window, the Virtual Entry Tickets are placed into the drawing drum and each is randomly drawn out one by one. After all the Race Entry Places have been filled, the National Lottery are able to announce the lucky recipients of the ballot.
What is the easiest marathon to run UK?
The easiest marathon to run in the UK depends largely on personal preference and experience. Those who are new to running may find the London Marathon to be the easiest, as it is the most popular, and therefore there is a lot of support and advice available to first-time runners.
Not only that, but the courses are usually well-marked and clearly directed, and there are water stations and medical facilities easily accessible along the route.
Those with more experience may opt for the Edinburgh Marathon or the Great South Run. The Edinburgh Marathon is a flat course and it is a relatively low-pressure event, with easy distance markers and plenty of water stations.
The Great South Run, on the other hand, is a 10-mile course and much more achievable for more experienced runners who may be intimidated by running a full marathon.
Ultimately, the easiest marathon to run in the UK is the one that best suits your skill level and that you feel most comfortable with. It is important to remember to train adequately for whichever marathon you choose, as even the ‘easiest’ marathon can be significantly more challenging than running a short distance.
What time are London Marathon ballot results announced?
The London Marathon ballot results are usually announced in October, usually around the end of the month. In 2020, the results were announced on Thursday 29 October.
The announcement is made via email to all applicants. If a runner is successful in the ballot, they will be sent an email confirming their place and providing details on how to complete their entry. If a runner is not successful, they will be notified via email.
The London Marathon is a hugely popular event and, as such, the ballot is highly competitive with around 300,000 applicants. Therefore, it’s important to note that not everyone who enters the ballot will be successful in securing a place.
Those who are unsuccessful will also be given the opportunity to join the official charity selection or wait for the public ballot entry reallocation to be held in January/February.
As such, the exact timing of the London Marathon ballot results announcement is not guaranteed and changes each year. To stay up-to-date, it’s best to visit the London Marathon website and follow their updates.
Can you enter the London Marathon ballot twice?
No, you cannot enter the London Marathon ballot twice. Additionally, submitting multiple entries without permission from the organisers is not tolerated and penalties apply. The only way to increase your chances of being selected to take part in the London Marathon is to encourage friends and family members to enter the ballot and increase your support network.
The ballot is open to anyone 18 years of age or older and is run by a computerised random selection process, so everyone has a fair chance to be selected regardless of club affiliation, sponsorship, or running speed.
Good luck with your ballot entry!.
How many places are there in the London Marathon each year?
There are approximately 40,000 places available in the London Marathon each year. The exact number however varies each year depending on the demand for places. Places are split between ballots, charity entries, Good for Age entries and international runner entries.
The registration fee for the 2020 London Marathon was £39, with a reduced fee of £35 for UK Athletics affiliated clubs. All runners must reach the starting line by taking part in an official event in the preceding few months prior to the London Marathon.
Is there a second ballot for London Marathon?
No, there is no second ballot for the London Marathon. All race entry places are filled through the ballot system that takes place in the months leading up to the race. However, there are other ways in which people can still take part in the London Marathon.
The charity places program offers a large selection of places which can be filled by anyone who wants to raise money for a good cause. Those who have been unsuccessful in the ballot may also be able to apply for a ‘Good for Age’ spot if they have achieved certain time standards in their recent marathon.
Alternatively, the London Marathon recognize a large number of tour operators who offer comprehensive trip packages to the event which include entry for the race.
It is also possible for companies or groups of friends to purchase a corporate or team entry. Finally, for those keen runners unable to gain entry via the above methods, the London Marathon has a vast selection of international races ranging from 5k to 42.
2km – providing a great way in which to see the world and make their mark on the iconic London Marathon.
Is 4.15 a good marathon time?
Whether or not 4. 15 is a good marathon time depends on many factors, including the age and experience level of the individual running and the conditions of the race. For example, if the individual running is new to marathons and the race was run in unfavorable conditions (e.
g. , strong winds, hot weather), then 4. 15 could be considered a good time. On the other hand, if the individual running is an experienced marathoner and the race was run in ideal conditions, then 4.
15 would likely not be considered a good time. In general, a good marathon time for a recreational runner would likely be closer to 4. 00 (hours). A professional marathoner would likely aim for times closer to 2.
30. Ultimately, whether 4. 15 is considered a good marathon time or not will depend on all of the factors associated with the individual and the race.
What are the chances of winning London Marathon ballot?
The chances of winning the London Marathon ballot depend on how many people apply. The London Marathon typically receives around half a million applicants each year and only around 50,000 places are available in the marathon.
This means that your chances of being chosen in the ballot are approximately 1 in 10.
The London Marathon has a lottery system which randomly selects applicants to take part in the marathon. The ballot operates on a first-come, first-served basis, so the earlier you apply, the better your chances of being selected in the ballot.
Another factor that can affect your chances of winning is your geographic location. Applicants from London and the South East have traditionally been more successful in the ballot, so if you live in these areas and apply as early as possible, your chances of being selected will be slightly higher.
Overall, your chances of winning the London Marathon ballot are fairly slim, but if you are passionate about running, it can be worth trying your luck. Good luck!
How oversubscribed is London Marathon?
The London Marathon is one of the most popular marathons in the world, with over 40,000 people from all over the world descending on the capital each year to run the iconic 26. 2 mile course. Demand for the race is usually very high and the event is usually oversubscribed; in order to get a place in the race, you must either enter the Public Ballot or raise money through a charity place.
Each year, a ‘secured registration window’ is opened in April, where those who have successful secured their place in the ballot become eligible to officially enter the Marathon. In 2021, a total of 303,973 applications were received within a 24-hour period – approximately ten times more than the number of places available.
This means that only 1-2% of people who enter the ballot actually get a place.
The race is also notoriously difficult to gain entry to via charity places; hundreds of charities partner with the London Marathon, and most of them have very strict selection criteria. The competition for charity places can be quite tough; for example, some charities may only accept applications from people who can raise a specific amount of money.
In conclusion, the London Marathon is one of the most oversubscribed races in the world, with hundreds of thousands of people applying each year but only a small percentage of them actually getting a place.
What is the slowest time for the London Marathon?
The slowest time for the London Marathon is 7 hours and 59 minutes. The record was set by the 1994 winner, John Smith, who ran in his first marathon aged 64, and completed the race with a time of 7 hours 59 minutes and 39 seconds.
To put this into context, the world record for the marathon is just 2 hours and 1 minute—an incredible difference!.
What’s even more impressive is that, even though the slowest time is over seven hours, the person who achieved it still made it across the finish line with a few seconds to spare—61 seconds before his time went up on the clock! This shows just how much determination and strength our runner had.
John Smith’s impressive achievement has been recognised and celebrated yearly ever since. The John Smith Trophy is awarded each year to the fastest ‘over 60’ runner in the race. And even though times have improved over the years, Smith’s seven hours and 59 minutes still stands as the slowest time in the history of the London Marathon.
Which is the flattest UK marathon?
The flattest marathon in the UK is the Hertfordshire Half Marathon, which takes place in the quaint market town of Hitchin. The race offers beautiful rural scenery, winding through country roads and villages, such as Letchworth and Hinwick.
It’s an incredibly popular race, welcoming thousands of participants every year.
The marathon is a fast and flat course, making it ideal for beginners, as well as regular racers looking to break a personal best. Runners get to experience some beautiful English countryside, as well as exploring some of the historical sights of the area, such as Letchworth Garden City.
The course is mainly flat and fast, with some sections of gradual inclines and declines which keep it interesting. The flat terrain gives participants the opportunity to not only record a good time, but also to enjoy the peaceful atmosphere of the surrounding area.
The marathon itself usually has excellent support from local volunteers and friendly marshals.
In addition to the fast and flat course, the race also offers a great, safe event for participants, where you can all enjoy a friendly atmosphere with plenty of old-fashioned hospitality. This all makes the Hertfordshire Half Marathon a great event for all levels of runners looking for a good experience.