Marathon and half marathon places allocated to our club and how to apply for them.

Every year, along with running clubs around the country, we are allocated several guaranteed places at big marathons. 

These allocations will be posted on this page when they become available along with criteria for eligibility.

Enter the 2020 VLM club ballot

We have been allocated three places for the London Marathon in 2020.

If you are interested in entering the ballot for VLM 2020, check the criteria below and then complete the ballot entry form by Sunday 24 November. The draw will take place before the run, in the bar at Tilsley Park, on Tuesday 26 November.

London Marathon criteria

Running clubs are allocated a small number of places in the London Marathon each year, based on the number of senior members, and for the last few years, we have been allocated three places.

We offer these to individuals to reward ‘services to the club’, and because there are usually more runners keen to run the marathon than places, we will hold a draw in November/ December.

You will still have to pay the usual entry fee for the race.

To be eligible to enter the draw for a club marathon place, you must fulfil all of the following criteria:

1. Have been a 1st claim member of Abingdon AC, who has not specifically opted out of EA affiliation, for a minimum of 12 months on the date of the draw (if you don't know what 'first claim' means then you almost certainly ARE a 'first claim' member - it essentially means that Abingdon AC is you main athletics / running club).
2. Have represented (worn a club vest) in club championship races.
3. Have marshalled at one of the Mota-vation or cross country races or have marshalled at the Ridgeway Challenge (August Bank Holiday). Or have officiated or volunteered at an athletics meeting.
4. Have not received a club marathon place in the previous year (unless there are too few qualifying applicants).

Brighton Marathon

There are also club Brighton Marathon places available for 2020. Essentially this gives you a place with a later deadline than the normal entries for which are now closed.

If you want one of these places contact abingdonacmembership@gmail.com by next Sunday 22nd December.  You will be responsible for filling in the entry form and paying for your race entry.

Oxford Half Marathon

We have been offered as many club entries as we need to the Oxford half marathon bypassing the ballot if you would like a place, fill in our request form. This offer is for clum members only.

The internal club closing date for this form is 17 January 2020. After the closing date, you'll get a confirmation from us that your request has been included and we will let the Oxford Half organisers know how many places we want. You'll then get a link to make your entry. You will be responsible for filling in the entry form and paying for your race entry.