FAQs
The 2020 Virgin Money Giving Mini London Marathon
The Virgin Money Giving Mini London Marathon won’t be taking place in its usual form in 2020 as we’re unable to hold the races in central London this year.
However, the good news is that – for one year only – we’re offering children up and down the country the chance to participate in the Virgin Money Giving Mini London Marathon at their schools.
The challenge is for children to run, jog, walk or push 2.6 miles between Monday 28 September and Friday 9 October. To celebrate their achievements, all participants will receive an official Virgin Money Giving Mini London Marathon medal and certificate – all free of charge.
For further information abut the event – including FAQs – visit our 2020 Virgin Money Giving Mini London Marathon page.
Please note: The information below will be updated before the 2021 event.
These FAQs aim to answer the majority of questions asked by runners and their parents and Team Managers. If your question is not covered by these FAQs, please email minimarathon@londonmarathonevents.co.uk
PARENTS & ATHLETES
- Q. How do I take part in the event?
A. Each London borough, region and home nation has a Team Manager who is responsible for selecting a team to take part in the Virgin Money Giving Mini London Marathon. Please click here to find the details of your relevant Team Manager. - Q. Am I eligible to enter the event?
A. An athlete is eligible to run for the borough/region that they live in, go to school in or were born in. Athletes must fall into the age requirements to be able to compete for a team. These change yearly, and can be found here. - Q. What happens if more than one team wants me to run?
A. LMEL gives priority to the team where the athlete lives. However, it is ultimately the runner’s choice which team they choose to represent. - Q. Can I run for a charity?
A. Runners can run for a charity if they wish, but they cannot gain entry into the VMG Mini London Marathon through this route nor can they run in a charity t-shirt or deface the event technical T-shirt they are given. - Q. What distance is the event?
A. All mini marathon events are staged over the last three miles of the Virgin Money London Marathon route. - Q. What are the timings of event day?
A. Race times for the 2019 event will be available on our Runner Info page. - Q. Do I receive anything prior to the event?
A. Each athlete will receive a copy of the Athlete guide via post close to a month before the event. Everything else required on the day will be sent directly to the Team Manager to allocate. - Q. What is the cost of the event?
A. This is a free event, with costs covered by LMEL. - Q. Can I watch my child start and finish the event?
A. No, only Team Managers can enter the assembly area within Old Billingsgate and can enter the secure finish area to meet their athletes. - Q. Who do I contact for more information?
A. Please contact your relevant Team Manager with any questions. Contact details found here.
WHEELCHAIR & PARA ATHLETES
- Q. How do I take part in the event?
A. The wheelchair and ambulant-para events are open to young people all over the UK in age category races: under 14 and under 17. You must enter as an individual, not through your borough or region. For criteria and details on how to enter please click here. - Q. Am I eligible to enter the event?
A. Athletes must fall into the age requirements to be able to enter into either event. These change yearly, and can be found here. - Q. Can I compete for a charity?
A. Athletes can fundraise for a charity if they wish, but they cannot gain entry into the VMG Mini London Wheelchair Marathon through this route nor can they take part in a charity t-shirt or deface the event technical T-shirt they are given. - Q. What distance is the event?
A. All Mini Marathon events are staged over the last three miles of the Virgin Money London Marathon route. - Q. What are the timings of event day?
A. Race times for the 2019 event will be available on our Runner Info page. - Q. Do I receive anything prior to the event?
A. Each athlete will receive a copy of the Athlete's Guide via post close to a month before the event. The athlete will collect everything else required on the day of the event. Each athlete will also receive important event information via email a month or so before the event. - Q. What is the cost of the event?
A. This is a free event, with costs covered by LMEL. - Q. Can I watch my child start and finish the event?
A. One parent/carer of each competitor will be given accreditation to access the assembly area at the Start in Old Billingsgate and the post-finish marquee in Marlborough House. We are unable to offer more than one accreditation pass per athlete. - Q. Key information for on event day
A. Each parent/carer will receive important event day information via email a month before the event. This email will include information such as how to apply for accreditation, parking locations, registration on the day and travel directions to the finish.
If this email does not answer all of your queries, please email disability@londonmarathonevents.co.uk - Q. Who do I contact for more information?
A. Please contact the Virgin Money Giving Mini London Wheelchair and Ambulant/Para Athlete Marathons Coordinator, Michelle Weltman on: disability@londonmarathonevents.co.uk
TEAM MANAGERS
- Q. How do I enter my team?
A. Team Managers will receive their entry console details in November the year before the event. You must register all runners successfully onto this system.
If the Team Manager Contact details change, please email minimarathon@londonmarathonevents.co.uk with the new Team Manager’s full name, email address and contact number. - Q. I have a runner who is eligible to enter for more than one team, what do I do?
A. A runner is eligible to run for a team if they live, were born or go to school in the borough/region. LMEL gives priority to where the athlete lives, but essentially it is the runners’ choice which team they compete for. - Q. How many runners per team?
A. On the day each borough/region can have six athletes per team. - Q. When we will receive the race packs, kit etc.?
A. Borough: Team Managers will receive this mail-out to the address provided the week before the event. Our team will be in contact closer to the time with exact details. This mail-out will include each runner’s race pack, each runner’s technical T-shirt, Team Manager Jacket and other important information. Accreditation & Vehicle passes will be sent out in a separate consignment once they have been completed by each borough team.
Region: Team Managers will collect this mail-out from Royal Holloway University on the day before the event. It will include each runner’s race pack, each runner’s technical T-shirt, Team Manager Jacket, Team Manager’s accreditation and vehicle passes. - Q. What are the deadlines?
A. Deadlines for confirming contact details and registering your runners will alter yearly. Our team will be in contact to confirm these dates with you. - Q. Key information for the event day
A. All of the key details for the event day will be provided in a Team Managers Instructions document which will be shared electronically and provided in a hard format. Directions for coach drivers to follow will be shared to avoid unnecessary delays through road closures.
If you have any questions that are not answered within the documentation received please contact minimarathon@londonmarathonevents.co.uk - Q. Who do I contact for more information?
A. For more information please contact our team on minimarathon@londonmarathonevents.co.uk
