The TCS London Marathon Ballot is a totally random draw with no weighting. However, when people enter the ballot we ask them if they'd like to donate their entry fee to The London Marathon Charitable Trust if they're unsuccessful. All entrants who donate their entry fee and do not get a place are then entered into a random Lucky 2,000 draw of another 2,000 places, therefore increasing their chance of securing a place. Find out more about how the ballot works here.