Due to the COVID-10 pandemic, the 40th Virgin Money London Marathon was rescheduled from its usual April date to the 4th October, but was open to elite runners only and consisted of multiple laps of St James' Park. To give the thousands of non-elite runners an opportunity to raise money for the charities they supported, a virtual marathon was staged on the same day. Runners, wearing their race number, could upload their results after running the 26.2 miles in a route of their own choosing. They were rewarded with a medal and T-shirt to commemorate their achievement.
Four members of the BVAC club, who were originally entered for the marathon, took up the challenge.