FOR tens of thousands of people, last weekend saw the expectant arrival of envelopes. This was the time when organisers of the London Marathon delivered happy tidings to the few that they were running next April's showpiece race, and to the many that they would be disappointed.

With about 100,000 applying for places in an entry field which is 30,000 strong - the chances of making it through the ballot is tough. In fact, with charity and corporate places swallowing up a fair chunk of the 30,000 entry, it means the chances are even less if you try your luck through the ballot.

I kept my options open for London. First of all I applied through the public ballot. I failed, and as some compensation, I was sent a nifty blue fleeces through the post on Saturday with a booklet saying "sorry, but better luck next time".

I wasn't that bothered because a week earlier I had finally heard from the organisers that I had been given a media place. Each year, they dish out a handful of places to media runners because of the publicity the race will receive.

I have managed to get a media number for the two previous runs in 2001 and 2004. I also know that I will be on the Green Start, which is the smallest of the three London Marathon starts, which means I should get away well.

I was getting worried about the media place. The press office had been ignoring emails, letters and phone messages, but finally they came good.

Had I not been lucky enough with the public ballot or the media place, then I had two final options up my sleeve.

My running club, Stubbington Green Runners, receives five London Marathon places which they are given as a UK Athletics affiliated club. I would have had to rely on the generosity of the club to have provided me with a number.

The fourth option would have been to have asked the Hampshire Autistic Society for a number. As a charity, they are given half a dozen gold bond places which they have to pay a premium amount for to the organisers. In return, runners who compete on their behalf need to raise a minimum amount of cash just to cover the entry, and then fund-raise for the charity.

The HAS had, unbeknown to me, put aside a place just in case, although I was relieved I don't need to take it up, and that frees up the number to be used by another fund-raiser.

All in all, a major hurdle cleared, and now I can focus on the training for London. Heaven knows why - all that pain and suffering you have to go through for the privilege of running 26.2 miles!