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Congratulations! You've snapped up a place in the world's finest marathon. And we're here to help you have a magnificent day, whatever your age, ability or ambitions.
Here's how...
- Weekly Emails
Be sure to sign up for our free weekly email newsletter, which will start in December. Each edition will include a full week's schedule (for targets ranging from sub-3:00 to 5:00-plus), timely tips to help smash setbacks, and up-to-the-minute marathon news.
- Expert Training Advice
Get stuck into our BIG Marathon Index for information on how to make the most of the months leading up to your marathon preparation -
although you don't need to be choosing a schedule just yet, there's still a lot you can do before you begin training in earnest.
These preparatory reads should help get you started too:
We'll be constantly updating our BIG Marathon Index from now until the big day so bookmark it now, and make sure you check back regularly to enjoy expert advice, tried-and-tested schedules, marathon Q&As, race-day checklists and more.
- Build-up Events
There's nothing like practice races to improve your fitness and your pacing skills. Our events listings are packed with big, friendly marathon build-up races, many of which you can enter online. You'll need to act quickly though - many sell out well in advance of their entry closing dates. Stay tuned for news of our 2009 pacing groups too.
- Community Support
Our Virgin London Marathon forum is THE place to talk marathon talk - whether you want to swap and share training tips, find a running partner (real-life or online) or make the most of the huge support group on the day. You'll be amazed by the amount of support you'll find here and you're sure to get a friendly answer, no matter how basic (or obscure) your question.
- Charity Contacts and Fundraising Help
You're lucky enough to have a healthy body, good legs, and you've beaten more than 60,000 other runners to get a place in the Virgin London Marathon. Lots of charities would love you to raise even £100 for them (why run for charity?).
Visit our extensive charity gallery to search for non-profit groups by category or locality. All the organisations listed have vast experience of supporting runners in the build-up to the marathon and on the day itself. Then use our real-life guide to making fundraising easy - it's sure to help make the pounds pour in!
Finally, all that's left for us to say is: good luck and make sure you stay tuned over the weeks ahead with your perfect marathon partner!
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