The Virgin London Marathon 2013

Places for the hugely popular Virgin London Marathon are often few and far between. If you have missed out on a place or would like to take part, Bristol is delighted to announce that it has six places to offer to our alumni and friends who are passionate about raising money for Bristol's Cancer Research Fund. To apply, all you have to do is complete the application form below.

In 2012, six alumni runners who were individually effected by cancer, raised an incredible £47,500 that will support vital early stage research into the search for new cancer treatments. You can find out more about their journeys' on our news pages.

How can I get involved?

If you are interested in applying for a place in the Marathon, please read through the documents below. You can apply either by completing our online application form or by filling out the PDF form below and posting it to us by the 31 October 2012 at the address on the form.

FAQ


How do I apply for a position in the Marathon?

Please read the terms and conditions, complete the application form, and post it to us at the address below:

Siena Marriott-Webb, London Marathon, Campaigns and Alumni Relations Office, Senate House, Tyndall Avenue, Bristol, BS8 1TH.

When is the deadline for submissions?

The closing date for applications is Wednesday 31 October at 5 pm, unfortunately we will not be able to process any applications received after this date.

When will I hear whether or not I have been offered a Bristol runner's position?

We expect to notify all applicants via email by Friday 16 November 2012.

What will be required of me if I accept a Bristol runner's position?

There will be a certain amount of ongoing administration required in the lead up to the race, so it is important that you have an email address that you check regularly and that you are able to respond to messages promptly.

You will also be obliged to commit to the requirements outlined in our Terms and Conditions document.  These requirements are either administrative, or to help us with our PR and marketing campaign to promote the Cancer Research Fund, and help you to raise as much as they possibly can.

How much money do I need to raise?

In 2012, the average amount raised was just under £8,000.  We also have an initial purchase price for the guaranteed running places through the London Marathon's Golden Bond scheme.

What happens if I am unable to meet my fundraising target?

We have hundreds of applications from alumni keen to represent the University every year. Whilst we understand that sometimes people find it harder than they expected to raise the necessary amount and do not always manage to meet this target, we do urge applicants to think carefully about whether this amount is realistic for them before they apply.

What happens if I need to withdraw from the Marathon?

Training for a marathon can be challenging and often runners are forced to withdraw from the race due to injury or other commitment issues. Every year we offer 5 people a reserve slot and we are able to substitute runners up until February 2013 (date tbc). After the substitution deadline has passed we will no longer be able to offer a position in the 2013 race to anyone else. If you find that you need to withdraw from the race after this date there is a chance that the University will be able to offer you a position in the 2014 race, however this decision will be made on a case by case bases and is down to the discretion of the University.

How will I know how the money I raise will be spent?

The board of the Bristol Cancer Research Fund will meet in June 2013 to discuss how the money will be allocated. Runners will receive a letter shortly after, outlining the areas of research that will be funded by the money raised. To read about the current research please visit our Cancer Research webpage.

If you have any further questions regarding the Marathon please email Siena Marriott-Webb at alumni-marathon@bristol.ac.uk