The 2009 Flora London Marathon, starting from Blackheath Common and finishing in Whitehall , is the ultimate personal challenge. This world famous marathon runs through top London landmarks including the London Eye, the Houses of Parliament and the Tower of London.

There are two ways you can join the Sparks team:

Golden Bond Runner
Sparks have guaranteed places in the Flora London Marathon and we would love you to join our team! As a Golden Bond runner, all we ask is a £100 registration fee and a minimum sponsorship commitment of £2000 and we will support you all the way. To apply for your guaranteed place simply contact us today and request an application form.

Own Place Runner
If you got through the ballot and have your own place we would still love you to run as part of the Sparks team and raise vital funds to help more babies be born healthy and stay healthy. You will receive the same benefits and support as a Golden Bond runner. All you need to do is contact us and let us know!

As a Sparks London Marathon runner you will receive:

• Unlimited support from our dedicated challenge events team throughout your whole experience
• Fundraising pack, full of useful tips and ideas
• Training guide, full of suggestions and tips
• Professional Sparks running vest
• Organised training run so you can meet the Sparks team!
• Sparks Open House, your second opportunity to meet the Sparks team!
• Goody bag, including cap, water bottle and other goodies
• Sparks cheer squads around the course on race day to support you through to the end
• Post race reception with a complimentary massage, hot meal and shower facilities for all Sparks runners

Sparks runners in 2007 had a truly memorable experience:

Just wanted to say thanks for providing such a wonderful experience.  Your organisation, planning and genuine interest in the well being of your Sparks runners made this a truly wonderful event; not just yesterday but throughout the long training period as well.  Knowing who I was running for certainly helped me get around the course on such a hot day.  And I felt doubly lucky to not only have my own family out on the course but to have the Sparks supporters out in such numbers.  Your support was inspiring!!!
(Josh Gonnella, London, 2007)

 Thanks for this and even more for all the support through the last three or four months. We couldn't have asked for more and it really is a big boost to get a steady stream of communications on all the various topics. The reception is a big added bonus - it was so nice to go back somewhere quiet and have a chance to relax before the journey home and everyone was incredibly welcoming and supportive.
(Jonathan Britton, East Sussex, 2007)

 Just wanted to say a massive thank you, to you and your team for making our marathon experience extra special. It has been great to help raise a lot of money for your charity and at the same time achieve an ambition. You've been very friendly and supportive during the run-up and the organisation on the race day itself was superb - the massage and shower straight afterwards was just what I needed!!
(Peter Tibbitts, Balham, 2007)

For more information please contact Kags on 020 7799 2111 or email kags@sparks.org.uk .