Applying for London Marathon 2010 today - anyone having problems?

Apparently the IT people are working on it and it should be back this afternoon. Afraid there is no other way to apply to the ballot but at least everyone else is in the same boat.

Ah, thanks Suzie, that's good to know (that it'll back this afternoon, not that it's broken)

?

Have just managed to enter the ballot. The site keeps timing out but if you refresh each page it does eventually work - just don't worry if it timeouts between sections as it does remember the details IYSWIM.

Well done! I keep getting a red page with an apology on it - so I'm not getting anywhere right now. Good luck for a place!

Gaaaah I'm so angry about this.

Its not actually relevant to me as I've got a GFA but my friend is in bits she has applied and been rejected for the last 4 years she has to at least get into the ballot so that if she does get rejected again she will get her automatic entry. She can't even get into the ballot! So her last 4 years of rejection will count for nothing ?

You know what, there are better marathons out there. I think I might boycott the VLM now because of this

I don't understand why they have changed it from the old paper entry.... modern technology making things worse I think

Also having problems getting an entry in as well.

I'm the same with 4 rejections so very relived to get in to the ballot! The paper system was a lot easier and the whole thing of opening the ballot the day after the marathon means I think they have a lot of people entering on a whim who then change their mind once they consider the training.

Its infuriating, a ballot to get into a ballot!

The thing is it also means that a lot of people won't be able to take a charity place either as you need a ballot rejection to do this.

It says on their website that the ballot will reopen later today or tomorrow. I just think they're having computer problems.

Yes, it's infuriating. I've got nothing else done today as I keep having to hover at the computer all bloody day.

It's a shambles and a huge embarrassment for Virgin I would imagine. The first thing they have to do in their new role as sponsors and they've totally cocked it up. Doesn't bode well really.

Not quite as critical as your friend WW, but I've had two rejections, so need to at least get in the ballot so I can get rejected again! Gah, I don't even want to run it as a "marathon" - I've got Windermere lined up for that, but I want to do it as a fundraiser, and know I'll have more success fundraising for a "big" marathon than a small one.

Had problems all day, but just got in. Third time lucky?

Lots of luck to everyone who has managed to get a ballot entry in!

If you don't get in, don't despair - there are many, many other marathons than London to run. I've run it (feck knows how I managed to get a place on my first attempt!) and I've run others and I wouldn't say I felt any different/better/more excited about running in London. I can't even remember running past many of the famous landmarks ? The support is great, but then, it's great elsewhere too...be a devil, be different, enter for somewhere else. Edinburgh's getting pretty big these days and its equally slickly run, pretty well supported and very scenic too. Plus, I'll come & cheer you on and I am veeeeeeeery motivational!