There are exactly 5,000 spots up for grabs in the five-mile run which will be allocated completely at random.

The course will see runners weave in and out of the Olympic Park in Stratford and past the iconic venues that will be used for the London 2012 Games before they enter the £486 million ($756 million/€561 million) Olympic Stadium itself and cross the finish line to complete the distance.

The opening of the ballot was launched here by a number of top dignitaries including London 2012 chairman Sebastian Coe, reigning Olympic 400 metre champion Christine Ohuruogu and Dianne Thompson, chief executive of The National Lottery operator Camelot.

"The National Lottery and its players have made a significant contribution in helping us realise our vision for the most spectacular Olympic Park," Coe told insidethegames.

"I'm delighted that The National Lottery will give members of the public the chance to be the first to cross the finish line in the Olympic Stadium and if I'm around and not travelling I will certainly be donning my running shoes for the event."

The National Lottery Olympic Park Run is open to anyone aged 16 or over of any running ability.

Each of the 5,000 lucky applicants must pay an administration fee of £15 ($23/€17) but in addition to their place in the event, they will be allocated a pair of spectator passes to the Olympic Stadium so that two friends or family members can come along and support them over the finish line.

The entry fee also covers a race number, a full information pack, an event t-shirt for the day, a computer tracking chip for an accurate running time, on-course refreshments and a souvenir finisher's medal.

The event is designed to celebrate The National Lottery's £2.2 billion ($3.42 billion/€2.5 billion) contribution towards the staging of the London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games.

"The support of National Lottery players in helping athletes fulfil their dreams of medal success in London 2012 and beyond cannot be underestimated," said Ohuruogu.

"What better way could there be to celebrate the contribution of National Lottery players to British sport than with this historic event."

Thompson added: "This is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to take part in one of the most thrilling events in the run-up to the London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games.

"The chance to take your place in history as one of the first people to cross the finish line in the Olympic Stadium is what dreams are made of.

"The National Lottery is proud to make that dream a reality for those who are lucky enough to win a place in the run."

To enter the online ballot for the competition, visit www.national-lottery.co.uk/run before midnight on October 27, 2011.

Contact the writer of this story at [email protected]


Related stories
September 2011: National Lottery gives thousands the chance to run on London 2012 track