Fancy running the 2010 London Marathon for charity?

Triumphant Baby N'Sola finishes the 2009 London Marathon. Photo: Mike Bingham

London Marathon entry can be tricky; it's a very popular event. So popular that this year the 2010 Virgin London Marathon ballot closed in a record two days and 16 hours, beating the previous record by 15 days! And charity places can be snapped up fairly quickly too.

How to run the London Marathon for Oxfam

There are two ways to get a 2010 London Marathon place:

London Marathon ballot

The London Marathon organisers run a ballot entry system every year. From 2009 onwards the application has been online for the majority of people. There is a one in six chance that you will not get a place through the ballot.

The London Marathon ballot opens in April every year and closes when a certain number of people have entered. The ballot for the 2010 Virgin London Marathon has now closed and everyone that entered the ballot will find out if they have got a place at the end of September. You will receive an Accepted or Rejected Magazine through the post.

Use your ballot place to run for charity
Many people like to use their ballot place to run for charity. So if you fancy running the London Marathon for charity – then let them know as soon as possible. Charities really appreciate their ballot runners and like to show it. Support generally includes a charity running vest, training advice, fundraising advice, on-the-day cheers and a celebration reception at the finish. Any amount you raise helps, and it is really nice to run as part of a team.

Tell us you want to use your 2010 London Marathon ballot place to run for Oxfam

London Marathon charity places

Many charities are allocated entries into the race from the organisers. If you would like to run for charity then you can apply to one of the marathon charities for, what is known as, a Golden Bond, Gold Bond or guaranteed charity place. Running the London Marathon for charity really is the ultimate sponsored run!

List of 2010 Virgin London Marathon charities

These places are limited for each charity, so make sure you apply as early as possible – if you want to run in 2010, then you could have applied as early as April 2009. Many charities have filled all their charity places and are now running waiting lists. When the London Marathon ballot results are announced more places may become available.

Join the waiting list for an Oxfam London Marathon charity place

Each charity requires you to raise a significant amount of money in return for your London Marathon place, so if you are lucky enough to secure a charity place we advise you start fundraising straight away. It is so much easier to reach your pledged amount of sponsorship before race day.

If you don’t want to commit to raising the amount required by the charity – then applying for a ballot place may be a better option for you.

2010 Virgin London Marathon

Charity place entry information:
Applications for charity places open at different times for different charities. Applications for Oxfam places opened at the same time as the ballot – 9am Monday 27 April 2009.
Charities have different requirements in their applications. But all charities want you to help them by raising money for their good cause.

Charities get inundated with applications in the first week of October – when the ballot results are announced. A lot of people wait to see if they are successful and if they’re not they look for a charity place. So if this is where you find yourself – then act quickly – places go very quickly at this time. For your best chance of securing a place and if you think you will be able to meet the fundraising pledge, apply to a charity.

Join the waiting list for an Oxfam London Marathon Charity Place

If you are thinking of running the London Marathon from December onwards, then you may have to think about the 2011 London Marathon. However, if you think you are fit enough to take on 26.2 miles in four months or less, then do a bit of research – maybe phone a couple of charities. People are more susceptible to injury over winter – so there may be previously taken charity places available.

Ballot entry info:
If you have entered the 2010 London Marathon ballot then keep your fingers crossed at the end of September. If you want to run as part of a charity team – then let them know. We might be a little biased – but we think running the London Marathon for charity makes this massive challenge even more rewarding.

Use your London Marathon ballot place to Run for Oxfam

If you don’t secure a place in the 2010 Virgin London Marathon don’t give up… there’s always next year!
The ballot will open at 9am Monday 26 April 2010. www.virginlondonmarathon.com

Enter as soon as possible – applications for the 2010 London Marathon filled up in less than three days. The website will be very busy on the 26 April – but persevere.

Choose your address and email wisely. Remember you find out at the end of September if you are successful – so make sure your contact details will still be valid then.

You can still apply for a charity place if you have entered the ballot. Just let them know – they’d still love you to run with them with your ballot place. And this means they’ll have space for another runner = more sponsorship for them = everyone happy.

Good luck!

Find out more about running the 2010 Virgin London Marathon with Oxfam