We’re really looking forward to seeing you at the Virgin Money London Marathon on Sunday 3 October and welcoming you to the Start Line as we run together again.
To ensure the 2021 Virgin Money London Marathon can go ahead, and will take place safely for you and your fellow participants, we have made some changes to this year’s event. Some of the changes are minor and you will not notice them. Others are more fundamental and we are asking for your support and understanding to ensure the event goes ahead safely.
While some things may be different to previous years, we’re confident you’ll have a day you’ll never forget as you take on the 26.2-mile challenge.
We’ve covered these changes in the six steps below. We’re asking you to follow these steps in the run-up to the 2021 Virgin Money London Marathon to help us ensure you have a great experience on Sunday 3 October. We will keep updating this guidance over the coming weeks and also keep you updated by email.
We understand that you may have questions, but please wait before you get in touch with us as more information will follow in the coming days and weeks.
Step One: Update your details and tell us your predicted time
We’ll email you by Friday 27 August to ask for your predicted finish time and to check your contact details are correct. Please be as realistic as you can with your finish time, as this will ensure your running experience is the best possible. Your correct contact details are vital so that we can send you your official kitbag in advance. Please note the deadline to update your details is Sunday 5 September.
Step Two: Pack your kitbag in advance
To reduce touchpoints, this year there will be no baggage lorries travelling from the Start to the Finish. Instead, we’ll post your official kitbag to you, with a self-adhesive label with your bib number printed on it – this should arrive by Friday 24 September.
We’re asking you to pack any items you’d like at the Finish in the kitbag (this could include things like warm clothing to put on after you finish, non-perishable food items, etc) before dropping it off at the Virgin Money London Marathon Running Show. Please don’t overfill your kitbag as we’ll need to add your souvenir medal, New Balance finisher’s T-shirt, BUXTON Natural Mineral Water and Lucozade Sport to it once you’ve dropped it off.
Very important: even if you don’t want to bring any items for the Finish, you must still hand in your kitbag at the Virgin Money London Marathon Running Show so we can add your medal, T-shirt and drinks to it for you to collect at the Finish.
This new kitbag system will allow us to hugely reduce crowding and touchpoints at the most critical areas of the event – the Start and the Finish – and most importantly will enable the event to go ahead whatever might happen over the coming weeks.
Please note that the Virgin Money London Marathon Running Show will take place at ExCeL London from Wednesday 29 September until Saturday 2 October.
Step Three: Before you go to the Virgin Money London Marathon Running Show
Take a lateral flow test on the Wednesday or Thursday if you are dropping off your kitbag and picking up your bib number on one of those days.
Take a lateral flow test on the Friday or Saturday if you are dropping off your kitbag and picking up your bib number on either of those days.
You will need to show your negative Covid-19 result to enter the Virgin Money London Marathon Running Show and drop off your kitbag and pick up your bib number.
Step Four: At the Virgin Money London Marathon Running Show
Drop off your kitbag (with the self-adhesive sticker attached) and collect your bib number at the Virgin Money London Marathon Running Show.
Very important: even if you don’t want to bring any items for the Finish, you must still hand in your kitbag at the Virgin Money London Marathon Running Show so we can add your souvenir medal, New Balance finisher’s T-shirt, BUXTON Natural Mineral Water and Lucozade Sport to it for you to collect at the Finish.
At the time of writing, if you would like to attend the Virgin Money London Marathon Running Show with someone else you can – however, they will need to be aged 18 or over on the day that you attend and, like you, they must show evidence of a negative lateral flow test on arrival.
As in previous years, if you cannot attend in person you may nominate someone to drop off your kitbag and collect your bib number for you.
The person you nominate must have the following with them:
- your kitbag with the self-adhesive sticker attached
- a letter, written and signed by you, authorising that person – by name – to collect your bib number and drop off your kitbag
- a clear photocopy of your passport or driving licence showing your name and signature
- evidence of your negative lateral flow test (the name on this test result must match your name on the photocopy of your ID)
- their own suitable photo identification
- evidence of their own negative lateral flow test
Failure to comply with these instructions may lead to your bib number not being issued.
Please note: an individual can only drop off one other kitbag and collect one other person’s bib number in addition to their own. There will be spare kitbags and blank self-adhesive stickers available.
Please note that the Virgin Money London Marathon Running Show will take place at ExCeL London from Wednesday 29 September until Saturday 2 October.
