Press Release - London Marathon - 10/22/19

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

            New headline partner for London Marathon in 2022

London Marathon Events Ltd announced today (Tuesday) that 2021 will be the 
last year of Virgin Money's long-standing sponsorship of the London 
Marathon.

After a hugely successful partnership which dates back to 2010, first with 
Virgin and then with Virgin Money from 2014, Virgin Money has decided not 
to renew the current contract which comes to an end after the 2021 event.

Hugh Brasher, Event Director for London Marathon Events, said: "Our 
partnership with Virgin Money has been fantastic and together we have 
established London as the greatest marathon in the world. This year we 
celebrated a landmark in our history as we passed £1 billion raised for 
charity since our first race in 1981 and more than £560 million of that was 
raised since the first year of this partnership.

"We are very proud that this partnership led to the creation of Virgin 
Money Giving, the not-for-profit fundraising platform which has meant that 
so much more of the money raised by our runners goes to their chosen 
charity.

"Twelve years is a very long time in sports sponsorship and further 
illustration of the mutual success of this partnership. We would like to 
thank everyone at Virgin Money for their wonderful support of the London 
Marathon."

Helen Page, Group Brand and Marketing Director at Virgin Money, said: "We 
are proud to have partnered with the London Marathon. Together we have 
raised more than £560 million for charities and built an enduring legacy 
that will benefit society and causes for decades to come – with £200 
million of that raised on Virgin Money Giving, our not-for-profit 
fundraising platform.

"As a new organisation with a new purpose we need to realign our future 
sponsorship and take a different direction. We remain committed to 
sponsoring the London Marathon until 2021 and look forward to playing a 
huge part in the London Marathon's 40th race celebrations in 2020."

The 2020 Virgin Money London Marathon, the 40th race, takes place on Sunday 
26 April. It is the most popular marathon on the planet with a world record 
of more than 450,000 people applying for a place through the ballot.

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