How do I get a place in the London marathon

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You want to run the London marathon but never, ever luck out through the official ballot, right? This frustrating situation is one we at JG hear all the time, but there’s an easy solution: run for a charity. Running for a charity is fun AND rewarding. You get a double win of challenging yourself by running one of the greatest marathons in the world and helping to raise money for a great cause in the process.

What charities want

How to make your application for a place stand out. Are you the right person for the job? It’s important to let your chosen charity know how committed you’ll be in your marathon journey. They’re looking for someone who’ll cross that finish line as well as hit their fundraising target.

Here’s some tips to make your application stand out from the crowd:

Someone who cares

Explain why you want to run for the charity. If you’ve got a connection to the cause they support, now’s the time to let them know. Give them a bit of background info; have you fundraised before, what would it mean to you to be part of a team, have you run the marathon previously?

Someone with a plan

Charities have invested in their marathon places and are keen to know you’ll hit your fundraising target. Let them know if you’re planning to ask for donations in other ways in the lead up to the marathon (quiz night, bake sales, or creative ways you might use your JustGiving page) or if your company offers donation matching.

Someone who stands out

Are you planning something whacky? Are you running with a team? Are you looking to smash a record? Have you run the marathon before but this year you’re planning something new? Let your personality shine through and peak their interest!

With that in mind, here’s how to get a place

1. Choose your cause

We’re emotional creatures, we all care about something. Pick a charity that fights for a cause close to your heart, it will be easy to fundraise on their behalf as you will be as passionate about what you are raising money for as you are about beating your PB on the day.

2. Find a charity place

Check your favourite charity’s website to see if they have places available for your chosen event, then follow our tips above so that your application stands out from the pack.

3. Plan your fundraising

Creating a Page on JustGiving and sharing it on social is just part of the picture. Think about fun ideas like running in a costume, organising fundraising events, and contacting local press. Speak to your employer to see if they will offer to match donations as part of a CSR scheme