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?

Plenty of running events are inclusive for everyone at different speeds.

Including the London Marathon.

Thankfully they aren’t going to change the entry requirements to suit you. Perhaps you could try putting some of this negative energy into something positive. Try fundraising or training more to get faster rather than ranting about those that that you don’t deem deserving. Get the place you’re apparently so desperate for a different way rather than complaining how unfair the random ballot is.

m.facebook.com/LondonMarathon/photos/a.310610954747/10160264641344748/?type=3

Read the comments on this and see how you feel then

Why should less fit people not be able to take part? Loads of money is raised for charity.

OP the reason you want to run the London marathon is because it’s brilliant.

The reason it’s brilliant is because it’s so inclusive.

You can’t have it both ways. If it wasn’t so inclusive then it would be as unmemorable as the Manchester/Brighton/Birmingham/arse end of nowhere marathon which also happen every single year. Catch a hold of yourself.

I did the royal parks half. I have dyspraxia, Crohn's disease and had bariatric surgery. I discovered jogging and wanted to give it a go. I finished in 4 hours and struggled in the rain as I couldn't see properly in my glasses so had to walk.

I then trained harder and really fundraised hard for UNICEF. I really wanted a better if still slow time. I had a hat to protect my glasses from the rain. I was ready. But I stupidly tried a gel I had never had before. It triggered my Crohn's and I am not sure how I got to the finish.

I dreamt about running the marathon and really thought I could. I know I can't so I won't. Still pleased with what I achieved though.

The final finisher has now raised over £12.5k for his charity! Amazing.

and do you know who is promoting his achievement, celebrating his success and declaring his finish as a great achievement - the London Marathon organisers themselves.

Fortunately this means that the LM will never change and will continue to be an inclusive event for all, no matter what the op wants.

Inclusivity is what makes the LM the event it is. Take that away and it just becomes one of many marathon events out there.

I got a ballot place, predicted 7.5 hours, trained extremely hard, finished in 7. My other 7 marathons were all completed in 4-5 hours. OP, you are VU, seem quite unpleasant, and severely lack imagination and critical thinking skills as to why some people might be less amazing than you.

Well as I said, marathons are about endurance and NOT speed

Op, supposedly a runner, should know that

I’ve done a few marathons - a feat I never thought possible for me and I’m slow by your judgment but they’re one of my biggest achievements in life. My slowest one was over 6 hours and actually that was the toughest mentally having to keep going for the extra time.

having done the distance I’m in awe of anyone who achieves it - 26.2 is 26.2 whatever your time. I’d never belittle anyone’s achievements and whilst I’m gutted I’ve never made the ballot in 10 attempts I watched yesterday all emotional and proud of everyone doing it not jealous of those “slower” than I’d do. I’m so glad to be in a run club that celebrates and supports all fellow runners

Tell that to the elite front runners! 😂

My ex went off the elite start and ran under five minute miles for the marathon. I couldn’t run one mile at that pace! He kept trying to tell me I was spending far too long on my long runs not seeming to realise he was almost twice as fast as me. They make it look so easy and like they’re barely trying but the speed of the elites is crazy.

My friend had a place to take part for her mum who died of dementia. She trained, she raised more than £3000. She suffered chronic knee pain before slowly recovering and taking up running to deal with anxiety and depression. she suffered injuries during training and had to have ongoing physio. She made it to the end. She would have been one of those last finishers that set your teeth off.

It is about mental strength, physical stamina and determination. It is more than just how quick you are. Does that mean you only value first place?

For some reason I thought the London marathon was a charity / fun event?? People running in daft costumes etc??
People must be so unlucky to apply year after year and not get in… all the people I know that have applied have run the marathon.
I also think you are unreasonable OP…. I knew someone a few years ago that had MS & ‘ran’ the marathon and raised thousands for the charity… I wouldn’t have cared whether I thought she’d complete the race or not, I’d have still sponsored her because of the sheer effort it took her to do it!

I hate the London marathon as a runner - it’s way too congested and too noisy. I have done nearly 30 marathons and it’s my least favourite. However for a lot of people it’s ‘the’ marathon and they only want to do that one. I have no issues with that or the people who take 8 hours. OP if you’re that bothered go and do one of the many others that are on every weekend around the country, or alternatively get yourself a charity place and join in.

The atmosphere is absolutely amazing because there is such a full range of people taking part and so many friends and family supporters. It is good because it is inclusive to all levels. I hope they don’t change it.

I've always wanted to do the London Marathon - and I'm absolutely NOT a runner ... but I would do it pushing my son in his wheelchair and raising money for the charities who support him - does that mean that we would be disallowed because we'd be with the stragglers? Seems unfair to me because I'd hope we'd raise loads of money for charity!

Pipe down Mo Farrah

@Notbeinggoadybut
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-oxfordshire-65378090.amp
maybe read this before you judge others.
what a delightful person you sound.
hope you never have an injury and your running time is affected

Yeah YABU OP, will be my 11th rejection this year for London and I think the level of grit and and determination of people who know they are going to be out there for 8 hours is impressive. They must know they won't have the same support, or atmosphere but do it anyway.

I don’t see it as a race. I don’t care who wins and I’m not bothered by those crossing the line first. I like it for the fun runners and the charity runners with a story to tell. I love the ones dressed up wobbling along in funny costumes.

You sound a bit selfish to me, it should and is for everyone of all abilities

I do think if you enter a running race like a marathon, you should have trained and run the majority of the race. I've never heard of walking marathons but maybe London could host one of those for those that want to dress in costumes but just walk with a bucket collecting cash.

It's a difficult one because it is so popular and it does feel a shame when a lot of regular runners who fall just outside the gfa times would love to do it and others enter the ballot on a whim and don't train (although I think that would be a minority)
A lot of people are posting as if raising money for charity and running are mutually exclusive. (Eg if you are fundraising it's irrelevant how long it takes) It's not a given that the charity runners are going to be at the back of the pack (although obviously if you are dressed as a rhino that will slow you down somewhat) Several friends and runners from my running club did it for charity and at least 3 achieved gfa qualifying times should they wish to do it next year, but the fundraising part is almost as hard as the training because of the minimum donation is so high.

Your seething dislike for anyone doing something slower than you is EVERYTHING I've always thought about runners. Maybe learn to cope with life rather than your desperate need yo compete?

Actually most people only walk about three miles an hour these days so wouldn't complete a marathon in eight hours. You'd probably have to slow jog as a minimum to ensure you finished.

18 mins/mile would give you a just under 8hr marathon time.
That's not a jog, it's not even particularly fast walking.