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Ballot Entry

Ballot Entry

The 2021 Virgin Money London Marathon Ballot

Thank you for your interest in the 2021 Virgin Money London Marathon on Sunday 3 October. The public ballot is now closed. The ballot opened on Sunday 4 October and closed at 17:00 on Friday 9 October 2020.

The 2022 Ballot

More information about how to enter the ballot for the 2022 event will be available later in the year.

Charity entry

Charity Entry

Find out more about how to run for charity, and discover which charities have guaranteed places available on our listings pages.

Charity Entry
A participant at the Virgin Money London Marathon Running Show

The Running Show

If you've secured your place in the event, you will need to register at the Virgin Money London Marathon Running Show, the perfect place to soak up the atmosphere of the world's greatest marathon with a host of informative and entertaining activities.

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Other ways to enter

    • Championship Entry

      For members of British Athletics-affiliated clubs who have recently achieved a championship-qualifying performance

      Championship Entry

    • Conditions of Entry

      Please read our general Conditions of Entry before applying to take part in the Virgin Money London Marathon

      Read the Ts&Cs

    • Good For Age Entry

      Have you run a fast time? You might qualify for a Good For Age place

      Good For Age Entry

    • Championship Entry

      For members of British Athletics-affiliated clubs who have recently achieved a championship-qualifying performance

      Championship Entry

    • Conditions of Entry

      Please read our general Conditions of Entry before applying to take part in the Virgin Money London Marathon

      Read the Ts&Cs

    • Good For Age Entry

      Have you run a fast time? You might qualify for a Good For Age place

      Good For Age Entry

    • Championship Entry

      For members of British Athletics-affiliated clubs who have recently achieved a championship-qualifying performance

      Championship Entry

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Ballot FAQs

  • It is a totally random ballot with no weighting – just like the draw for the National Lottery.
  • All applicants who have been successful in the ballot and offered a provisional place in the 2021 Virgin Money London Marathon will be sent a link to pay the entry fee within the timescales advised when the ballot results are announced during the week commencing Monday 8 February. Applicants who chose to bequeath their entry fee and are then successful do not need to make any further payment.
  • There are a number of ways to enter the Virgin Money London Marathon.

    Every year a small number of places are offered through competitions on our social media channels and those of some sponsors and partners, so make sure you follow us on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook to be in with a chance to win.

    You could also try to secure a charity place, or enter the virtual Virgin Money London Marathon and run 26.2 miles in 24 hours, wherever you are.
  • Put simply, the numbers were so big it became mathematically impossible. The scheme ended in 2010 as it was becoming impossible to offer a guaranteed entry to everyone who had applied unsuccessfully in the ballot for five successive years. This was a scheme offered by us, the organisers, and not by a sponsor.
  • You must be 18 years old or over.
  • Places in the Virgin Money London Marathon are not transferable under any circumstances.

    Anyone attempting to run using another person’s entry will be disqualified and banned for life from the London Marathon and all other events organised by London Marathon Events Ltd.
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