FEELING inspired after watching this year's London Marathon?

If watching people pounding the streets of our capital encouraged you to pull on your trainers this spring then you're in luck. 

The ballot for the 2020 London Marathon is now open. 

But if you need a bit of time to think about it, you've got until 5pm on Friday, May 3 to enter. 

In 2018, more than 400,000 people entered the ballot to run in this year's London Marathon which is around 10 times the number of people who took part in last year's race.

National reports estimate approximately 17,500 runners are given places in the race every year through the ballot.

All those who enter the ballot will find out whether or not they have been successful by the end of October.

The 2020 Virgin Money London Marathon will take place on Sunday 26 April 2020.

Hugh Brasher, Event Director for the Virgin Money London Marathon, said: "Our mission is Inspiring Activity and we know that watching the coverage of the world's greatest marathon on BBC Sport does just that.

"We hope that opening the ballot on Race Day will encourage viewers and spectators to improve their physical and mental health by getting active and take the first steps to being able to run the 40th London Marathon next April."

The theme of this year's race was #ThanksaBillion - celebrating an extraordinary landmark as the amount of money raised for charity by the London Marathon since 1981 breaks £1,000,000,000.

How can I get involved next year?

All you have to do is click here to enter the 2020 ballot

Do not enter the ballot more than once as this will result in all of your entries being cancelled.

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Everyone who takes part in the Virgin Money London Marathon is required to pay an entry fee to help cover the costs of staging the race.

The entry fee for 2020 is £39 (£37 for members of British Athletics affiliated clubs).