LONDON MARATHON BALLOT RESULTS GO OUT NEXT WEEK

• Record number of applications for 2016

• Every applicant to be given access to a free download of the Digital Virgin Money London Marathon

 

The wait is nearly over. From next Wednesday (30 September) the 247,069 applicants for the 2016 Virgin Money London Marathon will find out if they have been successful in the ballot and have a place in the race on Sunday 24 April.

 

The record number of hopefuls applied for a place through the ballot after the decision was made to keep the application process open for five days. More than 55 per cent of the applications were from people who have never run a marathon and more than 42 per cent of the applicants were women.

 

Everyone who has won a place in the ballot will receive a confirmation and magazine through the post. Unsuccessful applicants will receive either a magazine or will be emailed an e-zine. 

 

Applicants who have not received their ballot result are asked to wait until Wednesday 7 October before contacting the London Marathon helpdesk.

 

In addition, every applicant in the ballot – successful or unsuccessful – will be sent a link for a free download of the full Digital Virgin Money London Marathon when it is launched later this year. This year, the digital marathon download will be available only for use on iPhones or iPads. 

 

“We know that there will be a huge number of disappointed people and therefore decided to give everyone who applied a free download of the Digital London Marathon when it’s available later this year,” said Hugh Brasher, Event Director of the Virgin Money London Marathon. “I’d also remind everyone that there is still a chance to gain a place in the 2016 race by fundraising for a charity. Charities with places available are listed on our website.”

 

Runners in the 2015 Virgin Money London Marathon raised more than £54.1 million for charity setting a new record for an annual single day charity fundraising event for the ninth successive year. That brought the total raised for charity by the world’s greatest marathon past the £3/4 billion (more than £770 million) since the event was founded in 1981.

Some pictures that you may not have seen

 

 

I know it has been a while and we have all been busy but I cannot let these pictures drift off into the internet without showing them to you.

They were taken at RideLondon Expo and are just nice shots.

Shots are of Rochelle Gilmore – manager / owner of the women’s cycle team Wiggle Honda.

No slouch in the saddle herself, she got on stage and did her ‘party piece’ which you may have seen on YouTube.  If you haven’t, look it up!

 

Other pics are of her team and some candid shots as well thrown in.

 

All thanks to a great snapper and friend Stuart Stevenson, head of Creative at Prudential.

Riders getting into a pickle this year on The Beast

 

 

Riders completing the Durham Big Ride and Beast in September will have their ‘after ride sustenance’ all sorted with a new venture.

 

Cheese and Pickle, the outside catering arm of The Court Inn from Durham City has the catering contract for the Beast as well as its little brother Durham Big Ride this year. The Beast will see something like a thousand people take to the roads on a ride famous for its 52 miles of hills.

“The Court Inn has an excellent reputation for good food and the outside catering will be no different” said Colin Wiles, ride organiser, “ When people have finished the ride they look forward to a nice treat and the local produce that Cheese and pickle provide fits that bill exactly.”

The Ride, now six years old is not for the faint hearted with almost two miles of vertical climb in the 52.  “The riders of the first one gave the event the name and they often say – if you are not going up you are going down!” said Colin.

 

The Beast, two weeks later, is for the more experienced riders and takes in 52 miles of hills around the Durham City area.

For more information and how to sign up go to www.durhambigride.co.uk