VIRTUAL LONDON MARATHON SELLS OUT WITH 45,000 RUNNERS
By David Monti, @d9monti
(c) 2020 Race Results Weekly, all rights reserved - Used with permission.
(02-Sep) -- The virtual version of the Virgin Money London Marathon has sold out with 45,000 places filled, organizers reported today. That likely makes it the largest-ever virtual, or remote, running race where registered runners compete on their own and upload their results. The in-person version of the race will be limited to elite runners and wheelchair racers on Sunday, October 4, in St. James's Park.
"London is the most popular marathon on the planet with more than 457,000 people applying in the ballot for the 2020 Virgin Money London Marathon," said event director Hugh Brasher in a media release. "This first virtual London Marathon, The 40th Race, has offered a unique chance for runners around the world to earn that coveted finisher medal and T-shirt and we believe it is the biggest virtual marathon ever staged."
The largest in-person marathon ever was the 2019 TCS New York City Marathon with 53,627 finishers.
Unlike most virtual races where participants have a range of dates to compete, the virtual Virgin Money London Marathon will take place on only one day. Athletes must complete their 42.195 kilometers from 00:00 to 23:59:59 BST on Sunday, October 4. Runners will use an app developed by TCS to record their run, and finishers will receive an unique medal and a New Balance T-shirt.
Although organizers did not mention finances in today's release, it is certain that holding the virtual version of the race with such a large turnout will bolster the finances of both London Marathon Events Limited, the organization which plans and stages the event, and their charitable arm, the London Marathon Trust. The virtual race will also allow for fundraising for third party charities, an important tradition of the race.
"We hope that millions will be raised for charities by our participants and we look forward to sharing their stories," Brasher said.
The Virgin Money London Marathon is part of the Abbott World Marathon Majors and is a World Athletics Platinum Label Road Race.
PHOTO: Paula Radcliffe finishing the 2015 Virgin Money London Marathon, offering her hand to Robert Danson (photo by Jane Monti for Race Results Weekly)
