A Chelmsford hospice is urging runners that would like to take part in this year’s TCS London Marathon to contact them early to avoid disappointment.
Farleigh Hospice has a number of charity spaces and is encouraging runners to complete their applications ahead of the ballot announcement, to ensure that they are on the waiting list if they don’t get a coveted ballot spot.
Farleigh Hospice Fundraising Manager, Debbie de Boltz said: “We want to assure local runners that we have charity spaces available to run for us, so if the ballot doesn’t go their way we’ve got them covered. That said, we have a limited number of places, so anyone wishing to take part should get in touch as soon as possible to apply to be a part of #TeamFarleigh. Whether you have applied for the ballot or not, we would encourage you to apply ahead of the draw announcement to make sure you are on our waiting list for a space.”
The London Marathon ballot is a completely random draw and only 17,000 people applying get a place. Every year, a new record number apply with over 457,000 people applying for the 2020 ballot. The results of this year’s ballot are due to be announced imminently.
For charities like Farleigh Hospice, the London Marathon is one of the most significant fundraising events in their calendar. The 2020 marathon (which took place in 2021 due to the coronavirus pandemic) raised over £106,355 for the hospice, providing much-needed funds to help them to continue to provide care and support for those affected by life-limiting illness and bereavement in the mid-Essex area.
Sport Rehabilitation student Charles Rennie was one of the #TeamFarleigh runners last year. He signed up for the 2020 marathon during his final year of A levels. But because the mass participation event was cancelled, and the 2021 event pushed back to October, Charles was in his final year of university when he actually got to run it! He raised over £4,000 for the hospice in memory of his grandmother who was cared for by Farleigh at the end of her life.
Charles said: “It’s strange to think that I applied for the marathon during my A levels, but when I actually did it, I was in my third year of university! I’d always wanted to run the marathon and my grannie was looked after by Farleigh Hospice before she passed away. They did a lot for her and because of that, it’s a charity close to my heart.”
This year the virtual element to the marathon will also return, giving people the chance to take on their 26.2 miles from wherever they live in the world. Team Farleigh is welcoming virtual runners to the team as an option for supporters who are keen to run but who would rather stay closer to home.
To download a #TeamFarleigh marathon application form visit farleighhospice.org/events/london-marathon-2022. Completed forms should be sent to [email protected].
