Charities’ golden ticket

Last week, the London Marathon was reported by UK newspapers such as The Independent and the Daily Telegraph to be set to cross the barrier of half a billion pounds raised since the launch of the race in 1981.

The race, a much sought after event which is notoriously difficult to enter without going through a charitable organisation or putting yourself in the hands of fate through a ballot system, boasts itself as being the largest annual one-day fundraising event in the world. Indeed, last year it managed to raise £47.2 million for charity.

The 36,000 runners expected at the starting line on April 25 as the event celebrates its 30th race are set to amass a similar amount, which should in turn smash the £500 million fundraising barrier.

London Marathon race director Dave Bedford said: “The London Marathon is immensely proud of its record as a charity fundraising event.

“We provide our runners with an opportunity to raise huge amounts for good causes every year and will be delighted when the total raised for charity reaches half a billion pounds in our 30th year.”

The release of the figures comes a month before the airing of a television documentary expected to investigate the financial workings of the race.

Channel 4’s investigative Dispatches programme, which is also probing Newcastle’s half-marathon, the “Great North Run”, was reported by the London’s Evening Standard as set to focus on how much charities pay to enter runners into the London race .

Race chiefs sell around half of the marathon places to charities through bond schemes charging up to £300 per entry. Runners wishing to secure a “golden”, or guaranteed place, must go through charities and pledge to raise an estimated £2000+ to be taken on.