VLM - don't want to sponsor runners

[isabella2]

I would love to run the London marathon but so far I haven't been successful in the ballot so this year I looked into a charity place. They all expect you to raise an awful lot of money because they are charged so much for each place.

Now I have realised so much of sponsorship doesn't go to the charity, I no longer want to sponsor my (many) friends that are taking part on a charity place, mostly because, like me, they really want to run it, not because they especially want to raise money. And, if they do, they'd be much better off raising it in other ways rather than so much going to the event organising (I have raised thousands in the past for charity through events where all the money has gone to charity).

In addition, the entry fee for those who are successful in the ballot is very low, this could be perhaps be increased substantially so all runners (charity or not) would individually pay the same amount. I'd be happy to sponsor those who are self funding.

Am I missing something and being totally unreasonable?

Hi isabella,

So what fee are the marathon organisers charging the charity for those places then ?

I've been lucky enough to get a free place for next years London marathon, I've been interested in running it before but the thought of having to raise £2000 really put me off, I hate asking people for money!
Yes I agree the entry fee is very low for such a large marathon, and while it is good that it is so accessible price-wise, Id happily see the fee increased to subsidise the charges made to charities.

I think you've raised a good point. Its £35 to enter London so if they put it up to say £60 that's a lot of extra money. The Great North run is £56, new York marathon is £150 to enter!! I'm not sure the extra money would cover the charity places though? Don't they pay about £800?

On another note, it's time they brought back the three rejection and you're in. It's so unfair that people are rejected year after year!

The charity fee appears to be around the £800 mark, loads! This year there are 45 ballot entries for each place so sure they'd still get a massive uptake even with higher fees, but you're right it wouldn't cover the whole lot paid by charities.

Have you got a GFA place Gail?

I agree I wish they'd bring back a guaranteed entry if you apply a certain amount of times, or at least an increased chance of getting one.

I've always sponsored people for their first marathon so not really sure how to handle it!

No, sadly nowhere near fast enough a runner for a Good For Age place :)
I volunteered at the marathon this year and they gave out a small number of free places to the volunteers, I was lucky enough to be pulled out of the hat in the draw!
Fingers crossed for you for the public ballot.