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?

So what’s to stop you ‘giving it your all’ to improve your time and get a GFA place?

Unpleasant thread.

I have incredible respect for those out on the course for 8 hours, probably been on their feet for 12 hours in the day. I'll bet they've trained really, really hard probably against greater odds and barriers than those running under 3 hours. You want people to have to make a certain time? Theres plenty of events for that, but LM (and Ride London) are about inspiring anyone to get out there and dream bigger than they could ever imagine.

Yes, I think the vast majority of people who take on a challenge like that have a story. I've been around runners and running clubs for about 20 years. IME most of us are a bit broken and doing it to survive!

Yes I agree I always think this about people like the OP. If doing London meant that kuch to you and you are so aggressive about running the whole thing (even Hassan stopped…) then why not throw the kitchen sink at your training, enter a fast marathon like Manchester or Boston U.K. and have a real go at a GFA…

It's not obligatory

Who cares?

Someone has to come last?

Yes why don't you OP?

This is a really unkind thread.

I ran a few years ago. It took me 6hrs 40. I ran every single step, I just ran them slowly.

But London is about so much more than running. Every single person there has a story and if time is more important to you than those stories, you're really missing the point.

But why is someone who runs for a club more worthy than someone giving their all to get round in 7-8 hours?

As said before, the London Marathon has been a mass participation event for decades now. It’s always been an inclusive event and that’s why it attracts so much attention and can attract old viewing figures in TV even when the elite race ends.

Unless you're expecting to finish in the first few London isn't a runners marathon anyway. Too many people in your way. It's about the day and the occasion, not the running and the very fact that the field is so varied is what makes the event so special.

Finishing lines not finishing times. I know several “runners” like you have described. They normally do 5/10k runs that they actually run but Jeff a marathon. If they pay their entry why shouldn’t they be allowed a place. Also these same runs also didn’t get a place in the ballot.

I just read a BBC article where a mum breastfed her baby several times during the marathon and still managed to finish in under 6 hours.

I agree

And it pisses me off because every single person in the running community....from parkrun to marathons....have been lovely lovely people

Til now 😞

I think you've confused yourself OP. So you approve of her.....or not?

Usually have to raise around £1500 tmk

And??

Her massive ego is probably throwing off her balance. Give the poor luv a break.

I think the London Marathon is a very different event to your other serious marathons, it’s a huge fundraising event for charity and people line the streets the whole way round to cheer everybody on. It’s very judgemental to say that not everyone has a story because you don’t know.
I did it 10 years ago. Had every intention of training to run the whole way. My hips had other ideas and I was actually unable to run at all. So I did it in fancy dress, walked the whole way round. Did it in 6:22 and was so so proud of myself. It felt like I was walking on 2 broken legs but the crowds were amazing and got you round. I raised over £2000 for my local paeds hospital ward.
It makes me feel sad that some people would think I was not worthy of my place because I didn’t run. Why not just be supportive, be kind, and be proud that so many people want to do something good for others.

And?

I don’t see what difference that makes to those who take longer.
I suspect she was previously a decent regular runner,] and in between the feeds (if several feeds over 5-6 hours then they were probably very quick feeds, or it was just once or twice ) was probably able to run fairly fast paces.

For some people with injuries, recovering from health issues, with long term medical conditions, etc then they are probably giving their all to do it.

YABU - I think it’s great that it’s such an inclusive event and that the slower runners get as much support as the elite. It shouldn’t matter your speed - the fact that people are going out and giving it a go is fantastic and inspiring for many that may be thinking of giving running a go but don’t feel they can for whatever reason. I read that the man last over the line was in a car accident 4 months ago and suffered a bleed on his brain. His determination to get round inspired me more than anyone of those fast runners. I’m pretty sure that brain injury must have affected his training and the sheer mental determination to keep going through 26.2 miles is incredible. I’ve done 3 London marathons - including this years - I got a charity place this year, I’ve also done it in the ballot and I ran a good for age place. This years was my slowest run because I haven’t been able to train as much for various reasons but I certainly don’t feel less deserving of that place than others. If you want to do it you can do it you don’t have to wait for a ballot place and whilst waiting moan about those who are running it raising money. Every runner has a story.

I think the organisers are secretly big elitists. They judge everyone who can’t get a GFA place (or preferably a championship place) as a fun runner, and see no difference between a four hour runner and a seven hour finisher. To them it’s a global elite race at the front, and a mass participation fundraising event at the back. And that’s fine, that’s their choice.

The event is hugely successful on any metric. There’s a reason people carp and moan and don’t happily run other marathons. The atmosphere makes London, and a hell of a lot of the people cheering will be out supporting friends and family run-walking their way round. But honestly it’s a bit silly when five hour runners are snobby about the people finishing behind them.

From memory, you have to give an estimated finishing time in hours when you enter the ballot. Obviously they give places to people who will finish in varying times in order to spread people out during the race and at the end.

And that is why you aren't getting a place. You're putting down a common estimated finish time. You're not interestingly quick, you're not amusingly slow, you're just very very run of the mill.

My point being, if a woman managed to stop to feed and still get around in 6 hours, how on earth did so many manage to take 8 hours to finish, what exactly were they doing. Walking backwards? In which case, why enter?

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

ODFOD