· 50,000 runners to take on world’s biggest virtual marathon on Sunday 3 October
· 50,000 runners to tackle the traditional London Marathon route on the same day
With the results of the 2021 Virgin Money London Marathon Ballot announced recently, BASICS Devon has 3 Virtual places for anyone who wants to raise crucial funds while making history as part of the world’s first 100,000-person marathon.
Following the announcement that London Marathon Events plans to stage the world’s first 100,000-person marathon on Sunday 3 October, BASICS Devon is inviting its supporters across the UK – and the world – to be a part of it by running to raise funds in its name.
On Sunday 3 October 50,000 participants will take on the traditional course from London’s Blackheath to The Mall – an increase of more than 7,000 on the previous finisher record – while another 50,000 people around the globe run the 26.2 miles on the course of their choice, any time from 00:00:00 to 23:59:59 BST, in a virtual event.
The physical and mental health benefits of being active have been brought sharply into focus during the pandemic, and this biggest-ever London Marathon offers more people than ever before the chance to experience these benefits while raising much-needed funds for charity.
BASICS Devon has a limited number of 3 places available in the virtual event and is encouraging anyone who was unsuccessful in the ballot or just wants to enter, to contact them for a chance of taking part. An expression of interest form is available on their website at www.basics-devon.org.uk now and a panel of Trustees will then choose 3 runners, announced in April.
Hugh Brasher, Event Director of London Marathon Events, said: “With the national vaccination programme underway, we are delighted to announce our exciting plans for the world’s first 100,000-person marathon. The London Marathon is the most popular marathon on the planet, with a world record 457,861 people applying in the ballot for a place in the 2020 event, and the incredible success of the 2020 virtual event shows the huge appetite to be part of the world’s greatest marathon.”
Amie Bull Fundraising Manager of BASICS Devon said ‘It is a fantastic opportunity for BASICS Devon a local charity, to be part of the world’s greatest marathon. We are so excited to invite people to run for us and help them in their virtual challenge.’
For further information, visit www.basics-devon.org.uk/events or contact fundraising@basics-devon.org.uk or call 01752 936299
ENDS
NOTES TO EDITORS
About the London Marathon
The London Marathon was first held on 29 March 1981 and the millionth finisher in the history of the event crossed the line in 2016.
The 41st Race on Sunday 3 October will see 50,000 participants take part in the event from Blackheath to The Mall, as well as 50,000 participants take on the event on a route and location of their choice. All finishers will receive a finisher’s T-shirt and medal.
In 2019 the Virgin Money London Marathon raised £66.4 million for charity, setting a new Guinness World Record for an annual one-day charity fundraising event for a 13th successive year. This brought the total raised for charity since 1981 to more than £1 billion.
London Marathon Events gifts its surplus each year to The London Marathon Charitable Trust.
Since 1981, The London Marathon Charitable Trust has awarded grants totalling in excess of £90 million to more than 1,430 projects in London, Surrey and other areas.
Please credit London Marathon Events when using an image and do not use either the logo or image in isolation. The images should not be altered or added to in any way.
About BASICS Devon
·BASICS Devon is a network of 13 emergency volunteer doctors providing immediate access to specialist medical care at the scene of an accident or illness. Making themselves available around the clock throughout the year, responding to incidents at the request of the South Western Ambulance Service NHS Foundation Trust. The charity relies solely on donations.
BASICS Devon doctors aim to provide a fast response to incidents and use their extensive skills to support patient care.