London Marathon 2021: Website goes down as runners await ballot results

Update: The issue affecting the London Marathon's website has now been resolved
Competitors in the Women's Elite Race during the Virgin Money London Marathon around St James' Park in October 2020
PA
April Roach @aprilroach288 February 2021

The London Marathon’s website appeared to crash on Monday afternoon as thousands of runners tried to find out if they were lucky in this year’s ballot.

Fifty thousand people are expected to take part in the event on October 3 and those who miss out in the ballot will get a chance to sign up for one of a further 50,000 places in the virtual event on the same day.

Hopeful participants reported receiving an email from organisers that indicated their results had been decided. The email instructed them to click on a link which led to a message saying “the service is unavailable”.

A spokesperson from the Virgin Money London Marathon’s Twitter account said: “We’re aware that there’s an issue with our website right now and we’re working very hard to get it resolved.

“We’re really sorry for those who can’t see their ballot results at the moment but as soon as we’re back up and running we’ll let you know.”

A couple hours later, Virgin London Marathon issued an upate on Twitter to say the issues affecting its website had now been resolved.

The results of the ballot were released online for the first time this year, rather than by post.

Organisers said the change was to make the event more sustainable.

Event director Hugh Brasher said: “We know there will be many people celebrating today but we also know there will be many more who, unfortunately, were unsuccessful in the ballot.

“However, this is the best chance yet to be part of the Virgin Money London Marathon because 2021 is set to be the biggest marathon in the world.

“Unsuccessful runners can sign up to run for a charity or for our virtual Virgin Money London Marathon, which promises to be another amazing day in our history.”

The event’s charity of the year Macmillan Cancer Support is hoping runners and supporters will help it to raise “vital funds” so it can recover from the “devastating impact” of the coronavirus pandemic.

Claire Rowney, the charity’s executive director for fundraising, said: “The Covid-19 pandemic has had a devastating impact on our income, at a time when people living with cancer need our support more than ever to help navigate through this anxious period.

“The vital funds raised through runners and supporters of this year’s event will help us continue to do whatever it takes to be there for everyone living with cancer.”

The virtual event allows people to earn the same medal and T-shirt by completing 26.2 miles on October 3 on a route of their choice within the 24-hour window.

Unsuccessful ballot applicants have a priority eight-day window to book a place in the virtual marathon with any remaining places made available to the general public from Tuesday February 16 on a first-come, first-served basis.

Additional reporting by PA Media.

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