Royal Parks Foundation Half Marathon 2011 launches debut ballot
After selling out online last year in under three hours, the Royal Parks Foundation, the charity for London’s eight amazing Royal Parks, is launching a ballot, so everyone has an equal chance to be at the start line on Sunday 9 October 2011. 
The ballot will open for a period of two weeks on www.royalparkshalf.com from 10.00GMT on Wednesday 16 February 2011 until 17.00GMT on Wednesday 2 March 2011. Successful entrants will find out if they have been allocated one of the coveted race places by email on Friday 4 March 2011 when the draw takes place. Sara Lom, Chief Executive of the Royal Parks Foundation comments; ‘Due to the soaring popularity of the Half Marathon both at home and overseas, we have decided that the fairest way to allocate places is through a ballot. Runners come from all over the UK and 31 countries around the world to take part in this extraordinary sports challenge - to enjoy the beautiful autumn landscapes of The Royal Parks and raise vital funds for charity. The Royal Parks Foundation Half Marathon is simply breathtaking, in every sense of the word!’ The Royal Parks Foundation Half Marathon is one of the most scenic city runs in the world. Starting and finishing in Hyde Park, the beautiful 13.1 mile route races through four of London’s stunning Royal Parks (Hyde Park, Kensington Gardens, The Green Park and St James’s Park) and offers 12,500 runners magnificent views of some of the capital’s most iconic landmarks, including Buckingham Palace, the Houses of Parliament, the London Eye, Marble Arch and the Royal Albert Hall. Over the last three years, the Royal Parks Foundation Half Marathon has raised £8m for over 200 partner charities, including the Royal Parks Foundation, Mind, Scope and UNICEF. The event is also popular with celebrities. Ben Fogle, Nell McAndrew, Jenni Falconer, Gordon and Tana Ramsay, Tom Aikens, Tessa Sanderson, James Cracknell, Bill Nighy, Charley Boorman, The Saturdays and The Cheeky Girls have all supported in previous years. Renowned for its carnival atmosphere, race day also features Pulse3K, a race for 11-16 year olds www.pulse3K.com and a scrumptious Food & Fitness Festival for 40,000 spectators and supporters. Public race places cost £45. For further details visit www.royalparkshalf.com
The ballot will open for a period of two weeks on www.royalparkshalf.com from 10.00GMT on Wednesday 16 February 2011 until 17.00GMT on Wednesday 2 March 2011. Successful entrants will find out if they have been allocated one of the coveted race places by email on Friday 4 March 2011 when the draw takes place. Sara Lom, Chief Executive of the Royal Parks Foundation comments; ‘Due to the soaring popularity of the Half Marathon both at home and overseas, we have decided that the fairest way to allocate places is through a ballot. Runners come from all over the UK and 31 countries around the world to take part in this extraordinary sports challenge - to enjoy the beautiful autumn landscapes of The Royal Parks and raise vital funds for charity. The Royal Parks Foundation Half Marathon is simply breathtaking, in every sense of the word!’ The Royal Parks Foundation Half Marathon is one of the most scenic city runs in the world. Starting and finishing in Hyde Park, the beautiful 13.1 mile route races through four of London’s stunning Royal Parks (Hyde Park, Kensington Gardens, The Green Park and St James’s Park) and offers 12,500 runners magnificent views of some of the capital’s most iconic landmarks, including Buckingham Palace, the Houses of Parliament, the London Eye, Marble Arch and the Royal Albert Hall. Over the last three years, the Royal Parks Foundation Half Marathon has raised £8m for over 200 partner charities, including the Royal Parks Foundation, Mind, Scope and UNICEF. The event is also popular with celebrities. Ben Fogle, Nell McAndrew, Jenni Falconer, Gordon and Tana Ramsay, Tom Aikens, Tessa Sanderson, James Cracknell, Bill Nighy, Charley Boorman, The Saturdays and The Cheeky Girls have all supported in previous years. Renowned for its carnival atmosphere, race day also features Pulse3K, a race for 11-16 year olds www.pulse3K.com and a scrumptious Food & Fitness Festival for 40,000 spectators and supporters. Public race places cost £45. For further details visit www.royalparkshalf.com