The Running Thread Vol 2

[irish boy]

A place has popped up in Belfast marathon next Sunday. Never done a marathon and very tempted to jump on the place. Has anyone attempted one with no training? My longest is 2x 13 mile runs this year but generally pretty fit and won’t be going for a time just 9 min miles.

[The jiffle king]

Anyone else run London today?

I was pleased to get round given a hamstring injury. Felt good to 18 miles but hard after that.

[irish boy]

Our coach Norman retained his m65 title

[Rosscow]

Went up for the day to support some of our club runners and do the very stressful handing over of fluids at certain points job!

My coach finished in 2:27 which he was pleased with considering he’s had an injury hit first 3 months of the year.

Another club mate finished in the top 60 females with a 2:48, and my mate Dave bagged a 3:01 in the v50 category.

I’ve entered the ballot for next year, and I notice that the good for age has come down again - sub 3:00 now for m40 - which will mean I’ll only ever get in via the ballot or a club place if I’m lucky.

[RizzoTheRat]

irish boy said:

Our coach Norman retained his m65 title

Wow, I assume he gets a good for age entry?

Unusually I only knew 1 person running this year, but loads of my club volunteers at the finish area.

[cslwannabe]

Chap who lives about 3 miles away from me came 19th.

[tim jb]

Rosscow said:

I’ll only ever get in via the ballot or a club place if I’m lucky.

charity?

[fiatpower]

tim jb said:

charity?

It's alot of money to raise which i'd struggle with. When I fundraised for my first marathon I struggled to get over £500. So i'm also stuck with entering the ballot and hoping, on my 11th attempt so far.

[tim jb]

fiatpower said:

It's alot of money to raise which i'd struggle with. When I fundraised for my first marathon I struggled to get over £500. So i'm also stuck with entering the ballot and hoping, on my 11th attempt so far.

It is a lot. What happens if you don't raise the minimum funds?

[Rosscow]

tim jb said:

Rosscow said:

I’ll only ever get in via the ballot or a club place if I’m lucky.

charity?

Yes, I guess so.

Heard some interesting stories though regarding amount of money expected to be raised and how much pressure you get from the charities.

My best chance is probably to train well and get a good time at Cardiff in October - I might be given a Club place then.

[Rosscow]

tim jb said:

It is a lot. What happens if you don't raise the minimum funds?

You have to make up the shortfall

[tim jb]

Rosscow said:

You have to make up the shortfall

Before yesterday I thought anyone could run the London marathon by signing their name and paying the fee. Is the London sign up typical of all marathons - what about Manchester?

[Rosscow]

tim jb said:

Rosscow said:

You have to make up the shortfall

Before yesterday I thought anyone could run the London marathon by signing their name and paying the fee. Is the London sign up typical of all marathons - what about Manchester?

No, Manchester you can just pay an entry fee and get in. London is hugely oversubscribed - 30,000 places for 500,000 applicants - hence the ballot.

[smn159]

Rosscow said:

tim jb said:

It is a lot. What happens if you don't raise the minimum funds?

You have to make up the shortfall

Charities often have places returned in the run up. Mate of mine did London last year using a returned charity place that he got about 8 weeks out I think. They did have a fundraising target, but informally they told him to just do what he could. He didn't make the the target and no bailiffs came

I was lucky enough to get a general ballot place last year, but if I really wanted to do it again I'd enter Brighton or Milton Keynes, which are around the same time, to give a bit of focus to the training and then try for a last minute charity place.

To be honest though, having done London a couple of times, I enjoyed Brighton just as much this year.

[The jiffle king]

Our little running club got 6 championship start times and another 9 GFA (including me) so 15 guaranteed for next year just from this race which is amazing.

We had 32 runners with times ranging from 2:37 to 6:14 although we did have 6 women under 3:15 which has never happened before.4 men under 3 hours which is about average.

[Smitters]

I have signed up to the annual ballot of disappointment.

I also "ran" 46km in Snowdonia on Saturday. Just the 2550m of climbing. First km was under 6 mins, as was the last. Many inbetween were not.

[y2blade]

Smitters said:

I have signed up to the annual ballot of disappointment.

I also "ran" 46km in Snowdonia on Saturday. Just the 2550m of climbing. First km was under 6 mins, as was the last. Many inbetween were not.

Tidy.
I’m in the ballot again too. Was in it 2017 and 2019 both times unsuccessful….. third time lucky

[Inspire]

7th attempt at the ballot for me as well!

[towser44]

The jiffle king said:

Anyone else run London today?

I was pleased to get round given a hamstring injury. Felt good to 18 miles but hard after that.

I did, 21 years after my first London Marathon. Managed to beat my 21 year old selfs time and my time from my only other marathon which was Chester last year. Was a brilliant day, struggled after 20 miles, but happy!

First time I've ever applied for the ballot so I was very lucky. I got a charity entry through work in 2003. A mate of mine got in via the ballot last year and this year!

[ben5575]

Smitters said:

I have signed up to the annual ballot of disappointment.

I also "ran" 46km in Snowdonia on Saturday. Just the 2550m of climbing. First km was under 6 mins, as was the last. Many inbetween were not.

That there is some fantastic work. Well played

My slightly () more modest effort: