2014 VLM

Hello,

 I am in the process of finishing all 5 runs in The World Marathon Majors Series.

London would have been my last one( untill they included Tokyo). I guess I have to do that one also.  Is there any way to enter  the 2014 Marathon without going through the Draw or paying lots of money to charities. I entered all my other runs with qualifying times( Boston, New York, Berlin,Chicago) Usually I donate money to the local foodbank in town ( near Toronto ). Yes I am from Canada, so qualifying times don't apply. I am 60 years old and a 3:30:00 hrs runner 

Would appreciate any advice!!!   

Thanks Mr.Puffy,

those Traval Packages are not cheap. I do travel with my wife and we like to do our own arrangements. We usually stay 2-3 weeks in the country I run in.

Unfortunately it does not apply to Non UK runners. A little disappointing since it is part of the World Marathon Majors.

It's a hugely popular event.  You, as a foreigner, can buy your way to a place via a travel package - this is not an option for British runners.

Your other alternative is a charity place - a route a lot of British runners have to take, as ballot places are limited.

So if you want to 'tick off' the marathon majors, get your credit card out and don't expect any sympathy from British runners who can't get a place.

Alternatively, if you are interested in running marathons, there are loads of others.

Sorry Wilkie,did not mean to offend you. I took to running because it is not a"Credit Card", Sport. Shoes and shorts and everybody is equal. Boston,New York, Berlin,Chicago, Toronto,Vegas,etc. are all hugly popular events and none of them is as restrictive as London.People from the London Marathon Store are telling me that they can't get in. Maybe entry procedures should be revisited? How about a first come first serve entry procedure? I am also not looking for sympathy from British runners, since they are as frustrated as a lot of foreigners are (and I am sympathatic to their cause). By the way I ran loads of others!!! 

I believe the entry system for the New York marathon is a ballot, too?

If that fails you, as a foreigner, you can buy a package.

Sounds a lot like London (only you don't have to hang around a park in November for three hours before the start).

No Wilkie, in NY they have good for age qualifications for everybody not just US Citizens.

You can also do 9+1 for NY if you are local (wish they would do that in London!). You run 7 NYRR events, volunteer twice and do 1 marathon I believe and you get entry for the next year.

*cough* possible route in is to join a UK club and enter the ballot for their place - our club gets 4 places and only about 20 people enter for them, but it has entry requirements for the ballot - not all clubs do - some just do names in a hat...or go work for one of the sponsoring companies, or try entering one of the many competitions to win a place!

love that its not a credit card sport.but then pays to travel to Boston, New York, Berlin,Chicago and is planning london and then toyko

Thanks everybody for all the info and have a happy New Year!!