When should I apply for a charity place?

This is my first attempt to get into the London Marathon.
The ballot results don't come out till the 1st December.
I have just been reading the charity adverts in Runner's World December edition and a lot are suggesting people apply now.
Also a lot of the talk on the forums are about applying for charity places.

I thought I had to see if I got into the ballot, and then apply to the charities.

Do I apply, can I apply now, or do I wait till after the 1st December?

Can I have your advice please?

Damian.
Dlmiles.com

Hi Damien

I would apply now if I were you. Lots of us have already been offered gold bond places regardless of the ballot result. If you wait you run the risk of there being a mad rush in December as all those that lost out in the ballot will be manically chasing the charity places.

I am running for St John Ambulance - they let me know within a week that I have a place and are really helpful and friendly.

I'd apply now as well if I were you. Since this is the time when a lot of people find out either way, there's probably a lot of activity going on, so just as well to register your interest now. If you find out you have got a place through the ballot, you can inform the charity who can offer the golden bond place, and you can still raise money for them (if you wish) without the pressure of a minimum pledge.

I waited until rejected in the public ballot last year and was unsuccessful, so this year I applied in August along with the public ballot. I got my place with Well Child on 1st Sept and if I get a place in the public ballot I will just 'return' my place to Well Child who can then offer to someone else-what are you waiting for-apply now!

I waited until rejected in the public ballot last year and was unsuccessful, so this year I applied in August along with the public ballot. I got my place with Well Child on 1st Sept and if I get a place in the public ballot I will just 'return' my place to Well Child who can then offer to someone else-what are you waiting for-apply now!

I have had my gold bond place for Marie Curie since August..I applied for my place in the general ballot before i new that i had a guaranteed place..If i get a place in the ballot i will reject it because Marie Curie have been superb and i want to run for them. I Have told my friends etc who i am running for and, i have over 50% of the sponsorship money already.

Cliffy,

You'd be doing Marie Curie a favour if you actually accept the ballot place. This means that you can still volunteer to raise money for them, and they can offer your Golden Bond place to someone else. This is exactly what I'm doing with Cancer Research UK.

True..I will look at it if i get a ballot place..Been told its almost impossible to get a ballot place first time anyway..Myself and my brother-in-law both applied for Marie Curie but only i got a place..If i got a ballot place i could give the gold bond place to him...Thats if he doesnt get a ballot place as well..

Hi Damien
I applied last night for a charity place through CRUNCH which is the clearing house for charity places- www.charity-marathon.org.uk - just in case I don't get in the through the ballot. When I logged on this morning there was a gold bond place from my chosen charity! So one way or another I am in! try CRUNCH and if you get in through the ballot you can always hand the golden bond place back.

Hi Damien

I'm a first timer too but have approached quite a few charities whilst deciding who I wanted to run for. The clear message that came across from those who don't allocate golden bond places until after the ballot result is known, and who then select runners rather than do a first come first served, is that you will have a greater chance if you have registered your interest in them before hand rather than a last minute rush to get a place some how. I'm running for the Spinal Injuries Association as my grandmother had a several thoracic vertebral fracture five years before she died and then spent the rest of her life paralysed. So fingers crossed I can raise heaps for them

Good luck

Hi
I have been in post with a national charity for a few weeks now as Team Events Manager with responsibility of recruiting runners for the FLM and other events.
I have had meetings people from other charities in similar roles and it does seem they adopt different strategies regarding allocating places-some allocate early others wait until after the ballot results.
My advice is choose a charity that you have an association or affliation towards and contact them to register your interest.
Good luck.
Regards
Mike

Hi,

I didn't get a ballot place but have just signed up for Sparks. They are a childrens charity and do amazing work. They still have places...worth a try.

Regards,

ALex Gear

Hello! I've had my charity place with Tommy's since July 1st! It does mean that I have already smashed half the £2k target with another 7months to go too. I didn't get a ballot place so was glad that I had got the charity one! Just got to get the rest if the money now!!x