You can view the London Marathon route by clicking on the course map.

The London Marathon: How to enter

• through the Ballot (if lucky)
• running for a charity (can be expensive)
• getting a club place through your running club ( a lottery)
• as an elite runner (or 'Good For Age')

The Ballot
The Flora London Marathon 2009 online entry ballot system opened on 13th April 2008 and closed when 120,000 applications had been received. Entry into the ballot does not guarantee entry into the marathon as there will be more applicants than entries available. You will normally be advised if you have been successful in securing an entry in the Flora London Marathon 2009 in early October, when you will either receive one of two magazines – ‘Accepted’ or ‘Rejected’.

It is likely that the on-line entry system will continue in its present format for the foreseeable future and if this year is anything to go by the limit is reached within a week of opening.

All unsuccessful applicants who donate their entry fees will receive additional benefits. Further information on these benefits is available from the London Marathon website.

A Charity
Should you be unsuccessful in the ballot, or would like raise money for you favourite cause then consider running far a charity.
Each charity has to pay approximately £250 for each place, so charity place are not handed out for free and you will be expected to raise between £1,000 and £2,000, for your London Marathon place, depending on the charity. Some local charities may request a lower sponsorship, so you may need to trawl around to find one.

Club Places

Each year UK Athletics-affiliated club receives a guaranteed a number of places to the Flora London Marathon. GBRC usually receives 2 places to be awarded to members who wish to run this grueling race.

Therefore should you wish to apply for a club place, the committee has agreed to apply the following criteria for FLM 2009 and all future FLM races.

" The applicant must have been a paid-up member for the year prior to the London Marathon, i.e. for 2007 - 08 the applicant must have paid the membership fees by 31st May 2007.

" The applicant must have applied for and been refused entry to the London Marathon, as per the ballot. (Please keep you rejection advice from the London Marathon as evidence).

" Preference will automatically be given to those members who have not had a club place previously or run the London Marathon before.

" Preference will be given to those members who have fulfilled their obligations to the club by the way of marshaling or volunteering to represent the club at non race events.

If none of the applicants for the London Marathon meet all the criteria above, then the committee will apply the rules as best as they can.

If you wish to be considered for the Club Place, please apply using the Application Form. Pass the completed form with your rejection advice to Clive Jones or any committee member.

Those who meet the criteria will be placed in the FLM draw and the names announced at the GBRC Annual Christmas Dinner and Awards in December.

Elite Runner
Men who can run a marathon in under 2:45 or woman who can run a marathon in under 3:15 can apply for automatic entry to the London Marathon.

There is also a sliding scale for those who are 'Good for Age'. Again, apply to London Marathon for a guaranteed place as directed in the 'Marathon News'. The scale is as follows:

Whichever route you take, Good Luck! and don't forget to check out the Marathon Training schedules and Geoff's Training Page's

©-GBRC 2004