A total of 219,893 people have applied in the ballot for a place in the 2021 Virgin Money London Marathon which will take place on Sunday 3 October 2021.
175,800 of the applicants were from the UK and 44,093 people entered the international ballot. More than 46 percent of the applications from the UK were from women.
The ballot for 2021 opened on Sunday 4 October, the day of The 40th Race, when elite races were held in a biosecure environment in St James’s Park and more than 38,000 people in the UK and around the world completed the first virtual London Marathon on the course of their choice. The ballot closed on Friday 9 October. The results of the ballot will be announced in January 2021.
Hugh Brasher, Event Director for the Virgin Money London Marathon, said: "In this very uncertain and challenging world, we are delighted that 219,893 people were inspired to enter the ballot for the 2021 Virgin Money London Marathon.
“In addition, the 54,000 people who had a place in the 2020 event, scheduled to take place on Sunday 26 April, have all been offered a place in a future London Marathon.
“The 40th Race will never be forgotten. We are incredibly proud to have held this event during a worldwide pandemic and inspired tens of thousands of people around the world to take part in their own challenge, their own 26.2 miles, and to do it their way.
“The spirit of the London Marathon is about bringing people together. We couldn’t get them together in reality this year but we brought them together as a community. The individual stories and achievements have been incredible, and we believe The 40th Race, the most inclusive in our history, truly was a beacon of light in the darkness.
“We were very proud to work with Mencap as our Charity of the Year and salute the team of Mencap runners with learning disabilities who completed The 40th Race.
“The London Marathon continues to have an extraordinary impact that has inspired profound social change. It is an iconic event, recognised as the world’s greatest marathon, and compels people to take up running and to raise millions for charity. In addition, The London Marathon Charitable Trust has enabled thousands more to get active through its funding of a huge range of recreational projects and facilities.”