VLM: Bad Luck in the Ballot?

Spent the last six months waiting for 2011 Virgin London Marathon results only to have your long-distance dreams dashed by an apologetic letter? Join the club.

 

More than 160,000 people put their names into the VLM hat last April. With the race capacity topping out at around 36,000 runners, inevitably, thousands of hopefuls have been left numberless. So, what’s a wannabe London Marathoner to do?

 

One thing’s for sure, there’s no need to hang up your running shoes till next year, there are lots of ways for you still get your 26.2 miles in this Spring.

 

 

You Can Still Run London

If you’re up for raising cash for a good cause you could still be toeing the London Marathon line next April. Over 10,000 race places are taken by charities each year and thousands of them are still up for grabs. It’ll mean a bit of extra effort, as you’ll probably be expected to drum up £1,500-£3000 in sponsorship. But that’s not as lofty an aim as you might think - after all, thousands charity runners pull it off every year. Your chosen charity will be able to help and support you in your fundraising, plus you’ll get all the extra benefits of running a good cause.

 

 

Fuzzy Feeling

The biggest bonus is of course that warm fuzzy feeling that comes with doing your bit to help make the world a better place. Many runners talk about how having charity sponsorship riding on them finishing the marathon gives them an extra impetus to cross the line. (A popular image is to picture all the people who’ll benefit from the money you raise pushing you along when you start to tire during the race.) Plus, especially with the big charities, you get to be part of a larger team of runners, all fighting through the miles for the same cause. Many charities even position cheering squads at various points along the marathon, who erupt into fanatical cries of support at the sight of a runner wearing one of their team vests. And it doesn’t even end there, some of the charities also offer training plans, pre-race pasta dinners, post-race parties, and even massages.

 

If you like the sound of all that, take a look at our list of recommended charities who’d love you to be among their 2011 Virgin London Marathon runners.

 

 

More British Marathons

Over 40 marathons take place each year across the UK and just because London is the biggest, doesn’t necessarily mean it’ll be the best for you (especially if you can’t get a place!).

 

If you’re looking to get your 26.2 in around the same time as the VLM, a few of the country’s favourite spring marathons which still have places are The Sussex Marathon (Battle, 3^rd April 2011), The Great Welsh Marathon (Llaenlli, 10^th April 2011), The Rotary Shakespeare Marathon (Stratford-upon-Avon, 8th May 2011), The Brathay Windermere Marathon (Ambleside, 22^nd May 2011), and Edinburgh Marathon (Lothian, 22^nd May 2011).

 

Otherwise, take your pick from all these.  

 

Take it Abroad

If you’re happy to race overseas the world’s your oyster. Paris is a popular spring marathon as are Stockholm and Boston.

 

Book yourself a tailored package including race place, travel and accommodation to any of these events with Sports Tours International or 2:09 Events, both excellent tour operators who specialise in taking runners to races.

 

Wherever or whenever you decide to run your marathon The Running Bug will be here to help with tools to help you train, support from the community, info and advice on the best kit, and more.