Running London as US Resident

I was in the same boat.

The Good For Age entry is limited to UK residents.

This is a drag as Boston does it the American way and allows anybody in without discriminating based on country of origin.

4 or 5 years ago, I emailed Marathon Tours and was informed that London was their most popular destination and only after paying to be part of the 7 continents club I would have a chance. You're not automatically registered for London if you're part of the 7 continents club.

I decided to give up and forget about it as it sounded like too much money with no guarantee of making it to the London starting line.

Look into it before signing up for London though.

I have read (not certain where) that regardless of your past marathon times, the entrants from the Marathon Tours and other tour groups start in the back.

I would be miserable starting at the back so if this is true then I don't want to pursue trying to get into London.

I have for the past 4 years put my name in for the overseas ballot but have never had success.

I would try it that way if you have your heart set on getting to London.

I believe the2019 ballot opens on the London Marathon web site for about 1 week shortly after the 2018 London Marathon is over.

The ballot might only be open a couple days, I'm not certain.

The chances for success are very small but it costs nothing to enter your name. You give them your email and they inform you in October if you are successful or not.

I have been unsuccessful the past 4 years but, as the saying goes, you can't win if you don't play.

Marathon tours will imply that if you join, they fill the slots with Seven continent members, and then open to everyone else. It’s not true. They have a few spots for members, and then make it a lottery that you have no extra advantage in. The SCc members get in based on seniority, so you would be bottom of the barrel. Husband and I wasted 400 dollars on their monopoly. They knew we had no chance and took our money anyway.

It's a ballot for British runners too. You apply, you either are lucky and get in or you don't.

There are more spaces for British runners of course. That just makes sense.

Thanks for the detailed responses everyone. So it sounds like marathon tours actually does run a drawing entry, I guess I will keep an eye out for that and enter it. Their e-mail made it sound like the only real way to get in was to pay them the $200 and wait for two years. I think it's a bummer that the 'fast for age group' is UK residents only.

Americans do things differently.

Imagine if Boston allowed those who have met the qualifying standards to sign up only if they were American citizens.

The uproar would be loud and relentless.

In Boston, if you work hard and meet the qualifying standards you are welcomed at the starting line.

In London, if you work hard and meet the Good For Age standards you are welcomed at the starting line only if you reside in the UK.

I prefer the way it's done in Boston.

Thanks for the info everyone. I will try the ballot and the lottery with Marathon Tours I guess. Does anyone know how much you have to raise for charity to enter the London Marathon and if this is even an option? Also.. how much does it slow down your time starting from the back of the pack? I want a sub-3 and I have a 2:52 from 2017 Chicago and 2:54 from 2018 Boston so far running from corrals near the front(A corral in Chicago and Corral 2 in Boston).

I too have tried the overseas ballot with no luck. I have never heard of a US resident getting in this way. Can’t hurt to try though.