Competitors cross the start line at the beginning of the London marathon (Picture: Reuters)

The ballot for the London marathon has closed after being swamped with entrants just hours after it opened.

The ballot for next year’s 26.2-mile race opened after midnight but was closed before around 11.30am.

‘We’re sorry but the online ballot for the 2014 Virgin Money London Marathon is now closed,’ a statement on the London marathon website said.

‘If you’ve already entered the ballot, we’ll let you know in early October whether you’ve been successful.’


Looking snappy – this runner braved the race dressed as a shark (Picture: Getty)

Last year over 100,000 people were expected to apply to run the marathon but it took around 17 hours before the ballot closed.



This year, however, a week after around 35,000 people took part in the London marathon, the ballot closed just several hours after it opened.

‘Wow! – What a response! The ballot for the 2014 Virgin Money London Marathon is now closed,’ the marathon’s official Twitter account tweeted. ‘We hope to see you in the 2014 race!’

Runners observe a moment of silence before the start of the London marathon (Picture: Reuters)

This year’s London marathon was a bittersweet occasion, with the memory of the Boston marathon bombings still fresh in everyone’s minds.

A 30-second silence was observed before the 26.2-mile race, while runners were encouraged to wear black ribbons and organisers pledged to donate £2 to a Boston fund for every finisher.

Anyone unable to register interest in running next year’s marathon in the ballot can still apply to run for a charity, or by qualifying as a good for age entrant.

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