London Marathon 2022 ballot: entry explained, when does the ballot open and close, and when is the event?

On Sunday 3 October 2021 40,000 people took to the streets of London to participate in the 41st Virgin Money London Marathon.

Due to the Coronavirus pandemic, the marathon had been postponed from its usual spot in April but finally returned to England’s capital for the first time in 889 days.

In addition to the people who took part in the real life race, a further 40,000 people ran the virtual London Marathon, which was available for everyone around the world and had to be completed between midnight on Sunday 3 October and midnight on Monday 4 October.

When is the London Marathon 2022?

Next year the race is scheduled to take place in October again, allowing for a year to prepare for the 42nd event.

The event is set to hit the streets of London on Sunday 2 October 2022.

The London Marathon director, Hugh Braser, has said that the race will be held in the spring from 2023.

When does the London Marathon Ballot for 2022 open and close?

The ballot is open now and hopeful runners have until 9pm on Friday 8 October 2021 to apply for next year’s event.

How do I enter the ballot?

If you’d like to take part in next year’s race, entering the ballot is one of the most popular ways to get involved.

You don’t have to pay anything to enter, but if you are successful then the cost is £49.

You can also opt to donate your entry fee to the London Marathon Charitable Trust, whatever the outcome of the ballot. This option also offers the chance to enter a second draw for another chance to participate in the marathon.

To apply for the UK ballot, go to the official website.

Those who live outside of the United Kingdom must enter the International Ballot. Entry fee for the International participants is £99 plus a £26 carbon offset levy.

In 2022, The Virgin Money London Marathon will be partnering with the organisation ClimateCare to invest the full £26 of the levy in certified projects to balance CO2 emissions from participant travel.

To apply for the International Ballot, go to the official website.

Those who are not successful in the direct ballot place can apply to run for a charity. People can apply through specific charities and runners must agree to raise a minimum amount of money for the charity in order to take part.

Go to the London Marathon’s website to find out more about the Charity entry.

It is possible to apply for both direct and charity entry, however due to the high demand of charity spaces, if applicants are successful in their direct entry, they will then be asked to give up their charity space.

There is the option to enter through the Good For Age entry. This option is for world’s best runners over the age of 40 who have qualified through performances in 175 events across six continents as part of the Age Group World Rankings.

The qualifying period for this ended on 3 October 2021, however it is possible to use this entrance for the 2023 marathon.

To find out more about the Good For Age entry go to the official website.

There is a Championship entry possibility for those who have competed in previous marathons and half-marathons certified by United Kingdom Athletics and if you registered with your national Athletics body.

It is also possible to apply for this through the virtual London Marathon, however you must also submit evidence of an ‘in-person’ half-marathon.

For more information on the Championship entry, go to the official website.

The last date for a deferral entry for the 2022 London Marathon was on Saturday 2 October. Participants who have deferred will be contacted by the Virgin Money London Marathon in order to confirm fees.

Go to the London Marathon website to find out more.

The ballot is drawn completely at random in order for everyone to have a fair and equal chance of entering the marathon.

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