London Marathon Club Places

Every year, the London Marathon allocates guaranteed places for members of Serpentine RC. We choose to pass these on to members who have played an active part in making this such a great club. The qualification criteria and application procedure for club places are set out below.

1. Membership and Marathon Entry Criteria

  • You must be a fully paid up first claim club member. 
  • You are not eligible for a club place if you qualify for a Good For Age (GFA) place and did not apply for this.

2. Volunteering Points (up to 20 points available)

Contributions over the previous 2 years count for these major volunteering activities

  • Active volunteer club coach coaching Serpentine members in a group, recognised as a club coach by committee
    • at least 25 sessions/year (10 points/year), or
    • at least 10 sessions/year (5 points/year).
  • Event organisation, e.g. Welsh Castles, NYD 10K, Handicap team (5 points for each event, max 10 points over 2 years).
  • Leadership of club non-coached sessions, e.g. Saturday Hampstead Hills; Richmond Sunday runs; Cycle leadership for at least 10 sessions per year (5 points/year).
  • Team Captain for a season (5 points/year).
  • Major support role e.g. welfare officer, website support, social media representative (5 points/year).
  • Committee Member for a year (5 points/year).

Contributions over the last 1 year (1 point each contribution)

  • Helping at a Serpentine organised race (note: a member of an organising team may also gain points for helping at the events where they are on the team).
  • Officiating at one of the track and field leagues which we belong to.
  • Team managing the Serpentine team at a cross country event; marshalling at a cross country event.
  • Adhoc volunteer coaching, recognised as a club coach by committee - per session (up to 5 points).
  • Other contributions e.g. driving minibus at relay event, officiating at T&F meeting, helping at cross country, helping at lcub runs or with club kit (1 point per contribution, up to 5 points; please specify event/s and contribution/s made).

If you are unsure whether or how your contribution qualifies, please contact the Committee Membership Lead.

3. Club Representation and Running Participation (up to 10 points available)

Races from the last 1 year count.

  • Each handicap raced (max. 4 points).
  • Each club championship race, only 1 of which may be multi-sport, the remainder must be road or track running (max. 6 points).
  • Each league meeting, (T&F, Summer, Assembly, or cross country leagues) (max. 6 points).

For all qualifying races you should have worn club kit.

4. Priority

Priority for applicants shall be:

  1. 22 points or more – no club place in the last 5 years.
  2. 18-21 points – no club place in the last 5 years.
  3. 18-22 points and club place 3-5 years years ago.
  4. 18-22 points and club place in last 2 years.
  5. Under 18 points.

If those in group (1) exceed the number of places available a ballot will take place. Any unsuccessful applicant following a ballot for club places who also qualifies for the following year will be awarded a double entry in the ballot for that following year. Similarly a ballot will take place as required among those from group (2). Group (3) will be ranked and further ballots held if deemed necessary. The Governance Committee shall be in charge of this process.

Runners are representing the club and must run in club colours

Finally, all applications must be made on the application form or by email, and sent to the Membership Lead by the closing date (to be notified by email each year).