Press Release - London Marathon - 10/1/17

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE


                   The wait is over for ballot applicants

01/10/2017

The wait is over. From Monday the 386,050 applicants for the 2018 Virgin 
Money London Marathon will find out if they have been successful in the 
ballot and have a place in the race on Sunday 22 April.

The world record number of hopefuls was 73,586 up from the previous UK 
applicant record of 253,930 for the 2017 event - an increase of nearly 29 
per cent.

A total of 58,534 people applied in the overseas ballot. Just over 58% of 
the UK applications for 2018 were from people who have never run a marathon 
and more than 45% of the total UK applicants were women (also a new 
record).

The ballot is a completely random draw, just like the National Lottery, so 
everyone who applies has an equal chance of success.

Everyone who has won a place in the ballot will receive a confirmation 
letter and magazine through the post. Unsuccessful applicants will receive 
either a magazine or will be emailed an e-zine.

Applicants who have not received their ballot result are asked to wait 
until Monday 9 October before contacting the London Marathon helpdesk.

"The Virgin Money London Marathon is the most popular marathon on the 
planet with a world record number of people applying in the ballot for 
2018. Unfortunately that means a huge number of people will be disappointed 
after the ballot," said Hugh Brasher, Event Director of the Virgin Money 
London Marathon. "But I'd remind everyone that there is still a chance to 
gain a place in the 2018 race by fundraising for a charity. Charities with 
places available are listed on our website."

Runners in the 2017 Virgin Money London Marathon raised more than £61.5 
million for charity setting a new record for an annual single day charity 
fundraising event for the eleventh successive year. That brought the total 
raised for charity by the world’s greatest marathon to more than £890 
million since the event was founded in 1981.

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