That sounds very upsetting about the charity Mike but at least you got in via the ballot finally.  Good luck with the training.  Joan - thanks for explaining that, so it is even harder to get in than it used to be.  There are quite a few other marathons springing up which is something.  I've run both the New Forest and London (charity place after trying for 3 years in the ballot) and I must admit I did prefer the New Forest - so much easier to run at your own pace and nice and scenic.  There are 29 marathons in the GRG listings at the moment and hopefully there will be more listed soon.

Louise, you are correct, there used to be a rule that if you got 5 knockbacks in a row then you automatically got in the next year.  When Virgin took over in 2010 they were given a contract to run the marathon for 5 years.  They honoured all previous 5 year "failures" but didn't carry this policy forward because they couldn't guarantee they would get the contract again at the end of their 5 years.  My club had 10 people in the ballot this year but only 1 got a place.  Sadly, the London marathon has become big business for the charities who now dominate the places.  The charities are paying around £1500 for a place so you can see why they get the most places, but Chris Brasher must be turning in his grave because he started this event for runners.

Yes, its very frustrating isn't it!  There used to be a rule that if you applied for 5 years in a row for London and didn't get in each time then, you are guaranteed a place next time, but not sure if that's still the case.  I would have thought the new online entry system would increase the number of entries as its easier to apply.  UK affiliated Athletics clubs can apply for a few places each to hand out to their members, according to their membership numbers.  These are usually given out to people who give a lot back to their clubs, and/or by a draw.  So, this is another option for running club members. 

Hi, you get the option in now in a lot of runs to either not pay upfront and risk not getting in, or pay upfront and agree to your payment going towards a charity if you do not get in.  My question when completing entries, is am I penalised if I don't pay upfront and therefore definitely don't stand a chance of getting a place or pay upfront and then it's 50/50.  I think the main route into a lot of runs these days is the charity way.  I am doing the Royal Parks half and only got in through a charity place, despite applying for several years.  Never got into the London Marathon!!  Look forward to seeing you on Big Brother!!  Good luck in the London marathon that year when you are a celebrity, because "celebs" certainly don't seem to have a problem.

Once again i have had the dreaded letter from VLM saying sorry(but thanks for donating your enterance fee!). I have resigned myself that unless i sign up for a charity and pledge to raise thousands of pounds whilst running as the rear end of a horse i will never get to run this. I have in the past and still do run for charity in local HMs but i am now questioning whether charities are starting to ruin and totally take over the larger more prestigious  events,The London Marathon was after all originally a running event. I know there are plenty of other marathons,and i will run one,but it would be nice to have a world famous event on my running c.v. I might apply to go on Big Brother then i might get entry in 2015 as a proper celebrity!! Good luck to all those who did get in.