Hopeful runners who entered the TCS London Marathon 2024 ballot will find out if their application has been successful today.
The event organiser said all those who applied through the ballot will receive an email today letting them know the result. However, they have warned that those looking to take part in one of the world's largest marathons could be in for a painstaking wait as they may not receive confirmation of whether they're in or not until the late evening.
Posting a message to applicants on Twitter, TCS London Marathon said: "Emails will be dropping throughout the day and into this evening. There's absolutely no need to worry or get in touch if your email doesn't arrive until this evening. Best of luck to all of you! Remember that if it isn't good news then there are more alternatives than ever this year."
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This year marks the first time more than half a million people applied through the ballot to participate in the event, breaking the previous world record of 457,861. Results from the draw will be made randomly.
Next year’s event takes place on Sunday April 21, 2024, and the charity of the year is Samaritans. Nearly 50,000 people are expected to take to the streets of central London to take on the 26.2-mile course.
Some people have already begun celebrating their acceptance or lamenting their refusal. User @GazDean1 on Twitter who got accepted said: "10 years this took!!! 10 years!! Get in." Meanwhile, user @glowsteadyy who also got accepted said: I'm going to throw up. 7 years of trying with this silly little ballot"
@ChallengeKanza was another person celebrating, writing: "OMG....it happened!!! I am in the @LondonMarathon after the tenth attempt!!", while @GarnerboyCFC said: "So, after years and years of rejection, I've just got a place via the ballot for next year's London Marathon. Absolutely buzzing".
Others weren't so lucky. @Faya_ posted: "The foretold email has finally come through! No #LondonMarathon for me next year, but that’s cool. I hope that there’s a few first timers in there that did get in!" @thskeeta said: "there’s nothing like getting the rejection email first thing in the morning with a fresh cup of coffee i shall try again next year. congrats to everyone who got selected".
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For those who missed out in the ballot, runners may still be able to secure a place by agreeing to fundraise for a charity. Event director Hugh Brasher said in a statement on Wednesday: “This year’s TCS London Marathon was an amazing day, full of positivity and joy, which inspired a world record number of people to apply for the 2024 event, meaning an incredible 578,374 people will be anxiously awaiting tomorrow's results. We wish everyone the very best of luck."
He added: "If you did not get the result you wanted, there are still plenty of ways you can have an unforgettable marathon experience in 2024 including taking on the TCS London Marathon for charity, taking part in the TCS London Marathon #MyWay, which allows you to run the event anywhere in the world on April 21, or by taking part in the Brighton Marathon on Sunday April 7, which London Marathon Events started organising this year.”
