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London Marathon

London Marathon

London Marathon

Club London Marathon Ballot

Each year, the club is awarded up to two places in the London Marathon. 

To allocate these places, we invite applications for these club places, asking applicants to explain why they should be picked to be entered into the ballot.

We are a club run entirely by volunteers and in the recent years, we have been struggling to maintain the full complement of coaches and helpers - particularly in the youth section. Volunteering is key to the smooth running of the club and for this reason, our precious club places will go to the volunteers who help to keep us running!!!

If you would like to enter the club ballot, please send your application to contact@dmvac.org including the following information:

  • Full name, d.o.b. and mobile number
  • The relevant rejection email or message from the main ballot
  • A short paragraph about why you should be picked for the ballot - Entrants need to show they have contributed significantly to the club through regular and substantial volunteering activity
  • Confirm that you have never competed in the London Marathon in the past

 

NOW OPEN FOR ENTRIES for 2026 LONDON MARATHON PLACES!

  • Deadline for applications is midnight Sun 2nd November 2025.
  • The committee will then draw up a short list whose names will be entered into the draw at the Christmas supper on 18th December 2025.

 

IMPORTANT RULES for applying:

  • Applicants must have unsuccessfully entered the main ballot for 2026 London marathon places
  • Applicants must have been a continuous first claim member of the club for 3 years (since April 2023)
  • Applicants must not have run in the London Marathon in the past
  • Successful applicants will run in club kit as a proud representative of the club.
  • Successful applicants will still need to proactively take up and pay the marathon organisers for their place, without DMVAC assistance
  • The club reserves complete discretion in the manner and outcome of the ballot

Winners of the ballot in 2024 for places in the London Marathon 2025

  • Hannah Morris 
  • Rebecca Sykes 

 

DMVAC Runner George James - Success at London Marathon 2024

Long-time member of Dorking and Mole Valley Athletics Club (DMVAC) George James ran the London marathon on Sunday 21 April 2024 in the superb time of 2 hours 14 minutes 59 seconds, placing him fourth UK runner in the field and 13th overall, including the elite runners.

His time is the 7th fastest this year by a UK athlete.

James ran a consistent first half, passing through the half marathon point quicker than his previous half-marathon personal best, in a time of 66 minutes 7 seconds. Although he slowed slightly, he still ran a consistent pace throughout the second half - probably the most impressive aspect of his performance.

James has been running for the club since he was 11 years old and represented Surrey in under-17 cross-country events.

He has been travelling around the world for work for many years, but is now back in the UK and training hard in the Surrey hills. He showed his ability in long-distance running recently by finishing second in the Seychelles half marathon in 2020. In December 2023 he ran a very impressive 66 minutes 28 seconds to win the Pisa half marathon in Italy.


Putting his performance into perspective, unlike everyone ahead of him and a good few behind, James did not have the "elite" treatment before and during the race. He did not get put up in a hotel the night before and get bussed to the start-line, to be given his own marquee and warm-up space. He did not have pacemakers to guide him or shield him from the wind. He got up at 5.30am, took the train from Ashtead to the mass start in Blackheath, and ran virtually the whole way on his own.


James’s performance has already caused a bit of a stir amongst the British marathon community. International marathoner and DMVAC clubmate Luke Caldwell, who was watching George from the roadside on Sunday, said he had been asked by several of his friends in the elite running fraternity "who is this guy?"

This performance should open a few doors for James. He will automatically be eligible to compete in the elite field in various city marathons in future. He has already expressed a desire to return to London next year. When asked about his run he simply said "I loved every minute of it"