Applicants sent a self-addressed stamped envelope to the Marathon Runners Club before a specified deadline, at which date the Club sends all the applications to the prospective participants in the same delivery. The first 1,500 applications they then receive back are the 1,500 runners who gain entry.
Applicants submitted a self-addressed stamped envelope to the Marathon Runners Club prior to the deadline; upon receipt of all applications, the club sent them out in identical packages. The first 1,500 applications received were then given to the 1,500 runners who qualified for entry.