A record-breaking 500,000 runners are applying for next year’s London Marathon | UK News
More than half a million have applied for the chance to run in next year’s London Marathon.
The total of 578,374 runners who submitted their applications before the April 28 deadline broke the world record for this distance.
The number broke the previous world record of 457,861 set in 2019 by voting for places in the 2020 London Marathon.
Event Director Hugh Brasher said: “This incredible new world record reflects the extraordinary inspirational impact of the TCS London Marathon on April 23rd.
“We saw a record number of more than 48,600 finishers on the day of the marathon and more than 8,200 children took part in the mass TCS mini-marathon in London the day before.
“We work to encourage activity among people of all ages and abilities, and these record-breaking numbers show how the TCS London Marathon weekend is making that happen.
“The unique camaraderie and togetherness that participants feel when they take part in the London Marathon continues to have a tremendous impact on people’s desire to participate.
“It’s an event that inspires people to take up running and raises millions for charity.”
The majority of entries came from the UK (457,105), while 121,269 applicants were non-UK residents.
Of the runners resident in the country, 52.9% were men and 46.4% were women.
Those lucky enough to get a spot in the election don’t have to raise money for charity, but many often choose to support a good cause.
The charity of the year for the 21st April 2024 event is Samaritans, the UK and Ireland’s largest suicide prevention charity.
About 49,675 runners have registered for the 2023 race, up from the previous record of 43,199 in 2019, and organizers said the number has been increased to reach a cap of 50,000.
The entry fee for the 2024 marathon has risen from £49.99 to £69.99, which organizers say is due to the rising cost of running the event, but is well below the domestic entry fees of other major international marathons.
Voting for the 2024 TCS London Marathon was conducted for the first time by London-based Let’s Do This as part of a new five-year partnership.
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