How can I run in the 2018 London Marathon?

The London Marathon is an astonishing spectacle of athleticism and camaraderie, one that inspires adulation, awe and a tiny little voice in your head that says: I could do that, if I wanted to. Couldn’t I?

And as if you needed another excuse to don fluorescent lycra gear, eschew cake and set out on a gruelling, drizzle-drenched training programme, the London Marathon is also one of the biggest charity events of the year. Last year, runners raised £59.4m, setting a new world record for fundraising in a single day. That takes the total amount raised by the event to more than £830m since it was first launched in 1981.

So here’s your chance to be one of the 50,000 people, from elite athletes to long-distance newbies, who will line up to take part in one of the greatest road races in the world in 2018.

Whether it will be your first time or you’ve caught marathon fever; whether you want to run for personal reasons or to raise money in memory of a loved one – here’s everything you need to know to take part in next year’s London Marathon. On your marks, get set – go!

When is the 2018 London Marathon?

Organisers have not yet confirmed the date for the 2018 London Marathon, but the most likely is Sunday 22 April.

How to apply for a place

The most common way to enter is via the public ballot, which was open last year between 2 May and 6 May – so you’ll need to move fast. Expect this year’s ballot to take place around a similar time.

Don’t run your application too close to the deadline! The ballot will open on the London Marathon website and you’ll need to fill out a form with details of your name, address, age, expected time, chosen charity and whether you have run before.

More than 250,000 people entered in 2017, for just 50,000 places. The ballot is drawn completely at random and results are usually announced in October.

Of the 50,000 who are selected, only around 39,000 actually end up running on the day. The marathon organisers say they can estimate to within 1% how many people will drop out through injury and illness.

How to run on behalf of a charity

Jog on! If you don’t get a place through the public ballot – or decide you want to run after that has closed – you may be able to get in the running to secure a charity entry place. Last year, the closing date for charity entries was 10 June 2016.

Most major charities have a set number of entry places each year through the golden and silver bond scheme – here is a list. They allocate these places to runners on the basis that they will raise an agreed amount of money for the charity, such as £2,000. This would typically involve a registration fee of around £50–£100.

You can search for all charities with entry places on the London Marathon website and then contact your chosen charity directly to see if they have a spot.

If you miss out, you can register your interest with a charity at any time and they will keep you up to date with opportunities; if runners pull out, charities are allowed to re-allocate their places to another runner.

Are there any second chances?

When entering the general ballot, applicants are asked if they would like to bequeath their entry fee to the London Marathon Charitable Trust if they are not successful. Everyone who opts to do that and doesn’t get a ballot place is then entered into the Lucky Bequest draw. This offers another 1,000 places, to be drawn at random.

Other options

Another option is a Good For Age entry. This means that if you have already run a full marathon in a fast time for your age category, you might qualify. Check the times to see if this is an option for you. Those who belong to an athletics club affiliated to British Athletics can also be put forward by their club.

What is the charity bond scheme?

In 1993, the London Marathon introduced the golden bond scheme to help charities to gain places. Charities buy guaranteed entries for £300 each, which they then offer to runners who’ve missed out on a ballot place. Runners who take one of these places commit to raise a four figure sum for their cause, often called a “pledge”.

The scheme now includes more than 750 British charities with a total of 15,000 guaranteed places. Another 550 charities are involved in a silver bond scheme, which guarantees one entry place every five years.

The waiting list for charities for the golden and silver bond scheme is now closed, but there is a charity ballot, where charities who do not have bonds can apply for one entry. Charities can now register interest in the 2018 charity ballot here, after which an email will be sent out with details on how to enter once available.

How can I apply to be Charity of the Year?

The 2017 London Marathon charity is Heads Together. If your charity is interested in applying to become Charity of the Year, you need to email vmlm@virginmoney.com and information will be sent to you.

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