The 2013 Ballot

In 2011, we introduced the ballot system to make the process of gaining a public race place fairer for everyone. After the success of last year the ballot is taking place again.

The 2012 ballot for the Royal Parks Foundation Half Marathon is now closed. The 2013 ballot will open on Monday 28 January 2013. Register your interest today for 2013 to receive all the latest updates and information. Register your interest here!

2012 Ballot information

Please ensure that you read the information fully before you enter. Remember, you don't need to rush as the ballot will be open for 9 days. So take your time and make sure you understand the process fully before entering!

Ballot Key Dates

Date	Event
18 Jan 2012	Ballot Opens
26 Jan 2012	Ballot Closes
30 Jan 2012	Entrants will be informed if they have been successful or not
3 Feb 2012	Successful entrants deadline to complete registration (and pay if “pay later” option was chosen on ballot entry)
6 Feb 2012	"Second-chance" entrants will be informed if they have been successful or not
10 Feb 2012	Successful “second-chance” entrants deadline to complete registration
Early Summer 2012	2012 edition Royal Parks Foundation Hoodies due to arrive.

Entering the ballot

All public places cost £45. When you enter the ballot, you can choose to either "pay now", or to "pay later" when you find out if you’ve secured a place after the ballot is drawn.

Choose to "pay now":
If you “pay now”, you will be entered into the ballot. You are also kindly agreeing to donate your race fee to the Royal Parks Foundation if you don’t secure a place after the ballot is drawn.

Choose to "pay later":
If you choose to “pay later”, you will be entered into the ballot. If you are lucky enough to secure a place when it is drawn on Monday 30 January 2012, you will be prompted to pay the £45 entry fee (BEFORE 3 February 2012).

Benefits of paying now:

If you “pay now” but don't secure a place in the public ballot, we will enter you into a “second-chance” draw, for any places not claimed
If you “pay now”, but don't secure a place in either the ballot or the "second chance" draw, we'll send a 2012 edition Royal Parks Foundation Hoodie as a thank you for your donation to the Royal Parks Foundation
Automatic entry into the Prize Draw for all those who correctly answer the question on the registration form for a chance to win a Nokia E7 phone or tickets for 4 people, plus hotel, to the Charity Preview Night at Winter Wonderland in Hyde Park in November 2012

Ballot process

The ballot will be open for 9 days, from 10.00 GMT on Wednesday 18 January 2012 until 17.00 GMT on Thursday 26 January 2012. Please note that an individual may only enter the ballot once, and must intend to run themselves. Entries are non-transferable and cannot be deferred to later years
When entering the ballot, you’ll have the choice to “pay now” for your place, or you can wait and see if you’re successful and “pay later”. A public race place costs £45
On Monday 30 January 2012, the ballot will be drawn and you’ll be informed by email if you’ve secured a place. Please put the draw date in your diary and be sure to check your emails on that day, including any spam or junk folders
Successful entrants will have until 17.00 GMT on Friday 3 February 2012 to follow the link in this email and complete their registration details online (eg personal information such as estimated finish time, t-shirt size and emergency contact details). If you’ve not already done so, you’ll also need to pay the £45 entry fee
Anyone NOT completing their registration by Friday 3 February 2012 will forfeit their place. If the entry fee was paid upfront, it will automatically be donated to the charitable work of the Royal Parks Foundation, a 2012 edition Royal Parks Foundation Hoodie as a thank you for your donation. No refunds will be offered
Unsuccessful entrants will also receive an email with details of how to run for one of our many charity partners. However, if you chose to “pay now” when you entered the ballot, but missed out on a place, we will enter you into a “second-chance” draw, free of charge, for any places not claimed
On Monday 6 February 2012, the “second-chance” draw will take place. If you chose to “pay now” when you entered and were unsuccessful in the public ballot, you will be notified by email if you’ve secured a place
Successful “second-chance” entrants will have until 17.00 GMT on Friday 10 February 2012 to complete their registration details online. They will not be asked for any additional money, as they have already donated the £45 race fee. Anyone not completing this final step will forfeit their place, but they will receive a 2012 edition Royal Parks Foundation Hoodie as a thank you for their donation to the Royal Parks Foundation
In the unlikely situation that there are still unfilled places after the public ballot and the “second chance” draw, we’ll make them available to our charity partners