These people shouldn’t be allowed to enter the London Marathon

[Notbeinggoadybut]

Like most runners I put my name into the ballot every year, and have never been picked not bitter at all.

The footage of the “last finishers” sets my teeth off a bit. I think if you can’t finish the marathon in say, 6.5-7 hours, you shouldn’t be taking a ballot place that could be allocated to someone who actually wants to RUN the marathon. There are plenty of walking marathons for people who prefer to walk, don’t be selfish and take a slight after place for a RUNNING race. I mean the key is even in the slogan, “We run together”.

AIBU?

I thought the guy who came last was actually really motivating for a lot of people. He finished! Doesn't the London Marathon pride itself on its inclusivity?!

@Notbeinggoadybut you should try and get a place on the marathon!! Don't hold yourself back because you don't feel fast enough!!

She probably doesn't think they are entitled to a place.

You're not more worthy than they are because you're a bit faster. Disgusting entitled attitude, hope you do get the ballot and roll an ankle tbh 😂

I think everyone would have to have some experience and/or need to train to even walk 26 miles.

Yes - it's just not a distance the average person would normally walk all in one go. Now I'm post-menopause, I'm tired after about 4 miles; I certainly couldn't do anywhere near 26 miles without a lot of training.

im with OP here. Ive tried for 7 years to get in with the ballot to no avail and it pisses me off to see people crawling over the finish line. Definitely needs a cut off time.

ive done 4 marathons and 2 were difficult/mountains and came in in really good times. It should not be for walkers.

Whilst the London marathon is inclusive and catering for varying abilities it isn't unreasonable to have a cut off time (which in itself could be considered ableist to those who can't complete it within 8 hours)
Lots of races (not just running) have cut off times and in some you are removed from the course if you don't make it. It's mainly for the safety of competitors, and marshals and the practicalities of hosting a race.
When the cut off is 8 hours the volunteers will have been out - in whatever weather - for likely 10 hours +. People who live on the course will need to be able to get out, businesses reopen, barriers taken down and finish equipment dismantled.
It shouldn't be (and isnt) just for fast runners but there does need some time limit.

I've done the London marathon. It took me over 7 hours. Mostly because I started to get knee pain part way through.

My next marathon went much better and I took just under 6 hours.

There are places for ‘proper’ runners as the op describes. GFA and general ballot places are there and make up much of the runners.
usually the slower participants are charity runners. You want to reduce the charity places?

It does have a cut off time. 8 hours approximately. A little longer than some other marathons but that’s because is known to be a very inclusive event.

why don’t you take up a charity place if you can’t get a ballot place? You can usually get those much easier.

You're not anymore worthy just because you can finish faster. What a ridiculous entitled attitude.

There is a cut off time of 8 hours but if it does take you longer, two tail walkers drop back with you and you finish it on the pavements. They do this as they want everyone to have a chance to take part. I do get it to a certain extent though - I wish the walkers had moved to the side and not walked in groups as it was difficult to get past. Also one chap walking it backwards at snail’s pace was very annoying. I imagine he is still going now! But everyone knows it’s not a fast course for this reason.

I agree with you OP.
I'm not talking about people who are elderly, disabled, injury during the race or have health issues or running in massive fancy dress for charity. BTW I've always thought it was an utter disgrace that a severely disabled woman who completed in around 9 hours a few years ago was denied a finishers' medal.
But if it's a case of being under 60, not really training and finishing in c7 hours + - it's not fair that you take a place from someone who would put in proper training and do it in a reasonable time. Most people in good health who are not disabled should be able to run a marathon in c5.30 -6 hours. Below 6.30 you're not running just walking.
Some people are being sniffy about people with C4 hours times, saying its no different to 7 hours. That might not be GFA for someone in their 20s/30s and 40s but it is still an incredible achievement, particularly for female runners. It takes a huge amount of training and dedication. Doing it in 7 hours when you have no other challenges just isn't comparable.

We are talking about ballot entries who don’t turn up on the day. Not sure how that benefits the charity and their runners, how can they open the ballot up again in the day, they can’t.

I admire everyone who does this. Running is the stuff of nightmares! Boring and agony! For me anyway ;-)

That is why anyone who runs this has my complete respect. I can’t remember the last time I drive 26 miles.

Well done to anyone who runs or walks this. In eight hours or 80! I think you are all mad but congrats all the same! And if you raise cash for charity, even better 🏅

I think the op got what they wanted from this thread
given their user name....

I can't believe that hate the OP has got in this thread.

Does anyone remember when Jade Goody got a place? (And I'm not bad mouthing her or anyone similar, it's just her story has stuck in my mind) She did a bit of a jog for 20 minutes once, or something, and thought she'd be ok on the day without any more training. I'm sure some of the people who get a place every year have the same attitude.

I know someone who has applied for the GFA and the ballot, including the fee donation, and through a club, on numerous occasions but still hasn't got a place. I can understand that they feel annoyed when people who clearly haven't trained (not people who are injured or incapacitated in another way) get places. Not all of them will have a heart rending story or be raising £££ for charity.

(Getting back in my bunker to avoid being called a cunt now)

London marathon is a huge and amazing event that is fairly unique. It's a serious race and it's also a fun run and huge charity fundraiser with a carnival atmosphere, it's not surprising it's really popular.

However, there are hundreds of other marathons runners can do (some with much stricter cut off times)

And there are hundreds of other ways to fundraise for charity - with or without running!

Bottom line is everyone wants to be part of it, partly because they've seen it on TV and it looks amazing and because everyone's heard of it. I've run several marathons and lots of people are unaware that any others exist (or that they are all meant to be the same length!)

I don’t want to do it for charity. Why would i?

Did they actually meet the GFA criteria… most years they don’t fill all the GFA places, especially not the women’s ones.

There's no point debating this. London marathon isn't going to change. Personally I think as long as you can make the 8hr cut off you have every right to be in it as anyone else. It's a great event and inspires thousands of people but it's not an event if you want a PB! There are lots more excellent marathons out there if the way it's run bothers you.

And I speak as someone who's been rejected certainly over a dozen times. I'm not even desperately bothered any more about running it - I will do it if I get in but I'd prefer to run an ultra in any day!

This is how ours works as well. A few years back we had two places to give and only three people chucked their name in the hat.

For our club, any member who has a ballot rejection can enter our draw, which is made at the AGM in November.

Would the London Marathon still be the London Marathon if it had a 6 hour cut off instead of 8? Surely what makes London special is actually its inclusive nature? The crowds are there because it’s so full of the costumes and the first timers running for charities. I’ve been on cheer points on numerous occasions and the atmosphere heats up once the fastest have gone by.

I think people should train for it if they’ve got a place, whether that is to walk it or run it or some sort of combination. But if you make it just for the people who can finish in under 6 hours it’s going to lose a lot of its vigour.

Also, walking in the early bit of any run may just be someone who is doing a Galloway walk/run approach. I am much faster when I do a bit of Jeffing than if I try to run continuously. A run/walk strategy is entirely valid form of running.

@Notbeinggoadybut you set my teeth on edge,
Tom has a car accident which caused a bleed on the brain and a broken arm in December and couldn't restart his training till March. Wasn't going to let the Charity down as he cares about people rather than how fast he can run.

Hope your donation to his cause is at least half the size of your ego.

@herofreddie Hoping op's bitter self important post has the silver lining of raising much need funds for you.