London Marathon
Sunday, 21 April 2013
This run needs no introduction. The world-famous London Marathon will see you pounding the capital's streets with top athletes, celebrities and many other people raising money for causes close to their hearts. Over 35,000 people join in what is now, according to the organisers, the largest annual fundraising event in the world, passing some of London's best-known sights. If you're feeling super fit and fun, why not run in costume?
The ballot for the 2013 London Marathon opens on Monday, 30 April 2012. Initially, please apply through this ballot for an independent place. If you get a place, you can then name Meningitis UK as your chosen charity. Results of the ballot will be announced in October 2012. We also have nine guaranteed (Golden Bond) charity places for the 2013 London Marathon. If you are unsuccessful in the ballot, we will consider you for a charity place. At the same time as entering the ballot, please apply for a charity place by completing a Golden Bond application form (PDF, 627kb).
Over 100,000 people apply through the ballot, and all places are usually filled within 24 hours, so please apply on 30 April 2012.
For more information, please contact us on 0117 303 3343 or email lizgough@meningitisUK.org.
Recent event success
Congratulations to all our fantastic runners, who did a great job on the 22nd April 2012. We have nearly collected all the sponsorship money for the event and will let you know the total in the next few weeks. A huge thank you from everyone at Meningitis UK. It was great to meet so many of you after the run in the charity village.
Check out all the photos from the London Marathon in our London marathon 2012 photo album
Virgin London Marathon 2012 runners
Melanie Allen
I am running the London marathon in memory of my son Liam who sadly died from bacterial meningitis in November 2009. This was when our lives changed forever as no one could have imagined that we would lose Liam at the age of just 14 in such terrible circumstances. Liam was a lively happy boy who was very polite and outgoing. He always made us laugh and was the life of our home, he loved his little sisters and would do anything for anyone, and always with a smile.
His friends and family will never get over his sudden loss, but with your help we would like to help raise money for research and the prevention of this awful disease which can come on so quickly and with such severity that it often will leave long lasting damage and can kill within hours as it did with Liam. The aim is to find a vaccination that will prevent all forms of the disease from occurring in the first place as often treatment is too late to stop the horrific damage this disease can cause. Since losing Liam, it is now my aim to try to help in some way by doing things that are challenging so he would be proud of his mum that’s why I’m running the marathon.
Anna Chuicharoen, London, Age 29
My best friends Kim & Lee lost their adorable second son Joel Ruck to pneumococcal meningitis on New Year’s Eve 2009.
I have pledged each year to do something for Joel to raise money in his honour and in remembrance of him. I have always wanted to push and challenge myself and doing the London marathon was on the bucket list, which I hope to achieve before I reach the ripe age of 30!...which has now come...
Running for Meningitis UK is a great honour and to achieve my targets - in sponsors, fitness & finish-line will be fantastic!
Steve Hopkins
I am a 44 year old Sales Manager for a security manufacturer. I was lucky enough to receive an independent ballot place for this year’s Virgin London Marathon. I have a wife, 14 year old son & 12 year old daughter, & we are resident of Berkeley, Glos. I will be running in the April 22nd 2012 Virgin London Marathon in memory of Sam Virgo a local 2 year old boy who sadly passed away from Meningitis in 2008. Also my brother in law’s nephew Doug Stump (a 17 year old England youth hockey player), also succumbed to the disease back in 1995.
Martin Spilsted
My name is Martin, and I am running the London Marathon for the 4th time, this time in memory of my wife's younger sister Kate Rogers. Kate died of Meningococcal Septicaemia, aged just 27, after falling ill at work and being sent home with what she thought was "just flu". Within 48 hours of falling unconscious at home she had died, leaving her family devastated. The money I raise will go towards finding a vaccine to prevent tragedies like this happening to other families.
MeningitisUK · Registered Charity No.1076774