The ' I didn't get in...AGAIN ' London Marathon thread 2017
Discussion
My Mrs got in twice one year, once on the standard ballot and once on the volunteers ballot 
For alternative races this is worth a read
https://www.therunningbug.com/fitness/motivation/1...
For alternative races this is worth a read
https://www.therunningbug.com/fitness/motivation/1...
Its no for me as well. 4th time applying through the ballot, but a part of me is glad i didn't get in so I can avoid the mid-winter 4 hour training runs. 
Im unsure if I want to apply for another marathon though just to say I have done one. Chatting to my running coach this morning and he hates the London Marathon and reckons there are much better ones to apply for.
Im unsure if I want to apply for another marathon though just to say I have done one. Chatting to my running coach this morning and he hates the London Marathon and reckons there are much better ones to apply for.
no for me in the ballot (6th time) but decided I cannot do any more sub prime marathons any more and applied for a charity place. I have no affinity with the charity in question and have to raise 1350 less 85 pounds I put in at the start. so seems like a fair deal and should be doable.
Challo said:
Its no for me as well. 4th time applying through the ballot, but a part of me is glad i didn't get in so I can avoid the mid-winter 4 hour training runs.
Im unsure if I want to apply for another marathon though just to say I have done one. Chatting to my running coach this morning and he hates the London Marathon and reckons there are much better ones to apply for.
If your after a pb have a look at manchester .Im unsure if I want to apply for another marathon though just to say I have done one. Chatting to my running coach this morning and he hates the London Marathon and reckons there are much better ones to apply for.
If your after more of a challenge have a look at the city to sea marathon in Devon.
Starts in Exeter and finshes in Torquay/Babbacombe , a race of 2 halves the first 20 miles are quite nice and road/trail then after Teignmouth you hit the sw coastal path and a 6 mile roller coaster of a ride.
Really well organised , great spectators popping up in the middle of nowhere and because there's also a ultra option there are feed stations !
lost in espace said:
tigger1 said:
My best shot at GFA is telling them I now identify as being female...and even then I need to wait until I hit the crossover between age groups to get the best chance of hitting it!
I actually did this by accident 3 years ago, and got in!I recon i might be in with a chance of a good for age if i became a 70 year old woman
Dr Murdoch said:
Failed for the 8th time running (excuse the pun)
There goes any thoughts of doing it before I'm 40 (i'm 40 in may)....
8th time, doesn't look good for us lot who have attempted 6 times.There goes any thoughts of doing it before I'm 40 (i'm 40 in may)....
I keep saying I won't bother any more but still do
The appeal to me of London is the fact its start to finish atmosphere. I have not done a run where there is that must cheering! Reckon it would be a great motivator.
Seventh commiserations email on the trot 
Not exactly a surprise - I'll be making sure I have a good winter anyway, just won't be doing a marathon in April now!
Not exactly a surprise - I'll be making sure I have a good winter anyway, just won't be doing a marathon in April now!
ED209 said:
Luckily she bagged a good for age qualifying time at Kielder last week to get her in for 2020
Didn't know about that GFA stuff - cheers, just googled it! 
They kept the entries open longer this year didn't they, so loads more entries? About 40000 run it. Celebs, charities, Good for age take up a lot of them, I think I've heard that there are only about 15000 ballot places.
VLM website says 414168 people have entered for ballot places, so you only have a 1 in 27 chance of getting in (assuming it's a straightforward ballot, no bias towards different speed, gender ethnicity etc)
VLM website says 414168 people have entered for ballot places, so you only have a 1 in 27 chance of getting in (assuming it's a straightforward ballot, no bias towards different speed, gender ethnicity etc)
I got a place through the ballot for 2018 (I deferred it to 2019 as I did the Stockholm Marathon this year) so it is possible!
They obviously divide up the entries based on estimated time to try and stagger the finishers e.g. around 4 hours is the most common time so there will be a lot of people going into the hat... my theory to get a place is to use a very specific time e.g. not 3 30 or 3 45 or 4 05 but 3 37 25 seconds, the ballot will be automated so the system may pluck you into a section with less entries and more chance of winning...
dangerousB said:
Seventh commiserations email on the trot
Not exactly a surprise - I'll be making sure I have a good winter anyway, just won't be doing a marathon in April now!
Be sure to identify as a Woman to get an easier target time Not exactly a surprise - I'll be making sure I have a good winter anyway, just won't be doing a marathon in April now!
ED209 said:
Luckily she bagged a good for age qualifying time at Kielder last week to get her in for 2020
Didn't know about that GFA stuff - cheers, just googled it! 
Gap between the two is 45 mins for my age group! Should be at max 20mins!
BTW 9th rejection through the ballot. Charity I did RideLondon for want £2K minimum sponsorship!
Gassing Station | Sports | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff