To be disapointed at not getting a London marathon place, but anoyed that charities want £1500 to run it.

[Teapotqueen]

I found out this week that I didn't get a place in the London marathon through the ballot, Iwas disappointed but thought I might be able to get a charity place. I checked some charity websites and the lowest amount needed to raise for a place is £1500. I am not particularly well off and neither are my friends so this rules me out of a place. I know they have to raise as much out of the place as they can, but I just wanted to get it off my chest. Thanks you for listening.

[GypsyMoth]

That's disgusting!! Since when does running have to be all about 'charity'??

[Dozer]

Seems reasonable, they only get so many charity places, and need to make sure they get as much as they can. There're loads of other races, eg Great North Run.

[GypsyMoth]

Yes, but why £1500 minimum? You would think a charity would be happy with any amount!

[ChippingIn]

Well - why not see how much you can raise then apply for a charity place.

Charities need funds - this is one of the big fundraisers for many of them.

It's unfortunate you didn't get a 'regular' place, but it's not the charities problem.

£1500 is not that much to raise for a good charity - plenty of people will support you I'm sure.

[squeakytoy]

I imagine it is purely because there are limited places. If they get thousands running who only raise a couple of quid each, when they could have thousands running who raise thousands, they are bound to set a limit.

[ChippingIn]

ILT - don't be silly. The places are limited - of course it matters how much people raise.

[nancy75]

the london marathon is a massive money earner for many charities, if you were trying to make money why would you give a place to a runner who might only make £200 when you could give it to somebody else who wil raise £1500 or more?

[GypsyMoth]

But half of them dont even RUN it!!!!

[turquoisetumble]

I understand your disappointment and the thought of raising over £1,000 is daunting, however friends of mine (who aren't loaded) have done it too - they have arranged quiz nights at the local curry house for friends (cheap set menu - quiz done by mates - they got the bar takings) and it all came good. The friends were happy to have a night out and help a charity.

If you work, some work places will match or add money. Talk to the charities first before you dismiss the idea, they give lots of tips on fundraising that aren't just asking for money off your friends. If there is really no chance - apply next year or do a much less glamourous marathon - there are plenty all over the country throughout the year.

[Teapotqueen]

" You should be able to raise it" spoken like a true member of the middle class ruby. We havent all got well off friends and relatives.

[forrestgump]

If you are part of a running club is it 'cheaper' I know some one who runs it every year, and doesn't raise a penny for charity.

[thenightsky]

OP... keep your rejection paperwork, including the plastic cover with your name and address on... I believe you automatically get a place at Edinburgh marathon if you can prove you have been rejected for London. That's the way it worked last year and year before anyway.

[KatieMiddleton]

Gawd this is my second NCT mention this evening but I'm sure they don't ask that much for their places. Why not try them? I think they were looking for £150 for the Great South run but I'm not sure. The only way I'll run is an emergency like an unattended cake or summat. you'll also have the whole of the middle class local branch to tap up for sponsorship

[Quintessentialist]

Well, just run 40 odd km on your own, and enjoy the experience!

You dont have to raise money for a worthy cause! And you dont have to run the London Marathon just because!

[KatieMiddleton]

Arf at Quint. I was biting my tongue on that one!

[DitaVonCheese]

Just run 26 miles.

[thenightsky]

Running clubs do not get it 'cheaper'... they get a number places according to number of members in the club. My running club get 4 places. We have a ballot for those places.

[Onemorning]

Charities ask for money because they have to pay for the places. They don't get then free.

[MaryMotherOfCheeses]

£500 for a quiz night isn't unreasonable. Entrance fee, raffle, a few games like "heads and tails", maybe auction a signed football shirt or something. More if you can convince the bar owner to give you 10% of the bar takings. It's not till next April? You could do two of those between now and then.

Bag pack in local supermarket. Rope in a volunteer per checkout for maximum cash.

Your charity of choice will offer more suggestions.

[GypsyMoth]

What about the limbless soldier. A personal challenge

[GypsyMoth]

Depends which 'charity'