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?

Honestly OP, every time you post all I hear is "waah waah waah s'not FAIR I WANT"

It's like listening to a 3 year old.

All posters talking about “running at my own pace”…but this proves my point. Running. Not walking. It’s called We RUN Together not we walk together!

What about the people that do train and it still takes them 6+ hours? What if they are injured part way round? Or they're ill on the day and know they won't be able to run it but have £2k worth of sponsors expecting them to finish it.

I think there are very few people who take on a marathon without training. Just perhaps they're not as good as you and that's what you have an issue with.

Do you know just how many people that final finisher will have inspired to go do Park Run this week? There will be loads, but even if it was just 1, it shows why London should be inclusive.
You also have no idea what training he did, or what happened during his race. I did it in 2018. Trained in The Beast from The East, and then ended up adding 2 hours onto my finish time thanks to it being the hottest ever marathon.
As impressive as the 'proper' runners are, I am always in awe of those who carry on regardless.
Finish lines, not finish times.

Ever heard of Jeff Galloway OP?

It's people like the op that mean that even after 3 half marathons I wouldn't call myself a runner and never talk about my plods

All seems very ableist, non inclusive and entirely goady if you ask me. YABVU.

Stop being bitter and go do another another marathon. There's plenty to choose from.

Many people who are mobility impaired might be running as fast as they can but it looks like “walking” to you.
I’d rather they had a place than someone like you.

"It's called we RUN together WAAAAH IT'S NOT FAIR"

This is amazing 😂😂😂

Out of interest, what's worse in your book: someone who runs the whole way but takes 6.5 hours, or someone who finishes in under 4 hours but walks for a couple of minutes every mile as part of a race strategy? I just want to get my hierarchy of runners straight

I ran it previously, and I mean I really did run the whole distance and fully trained for it, but… it took me 6 hours, should have been 5 hours comfortable but it wasn’t to be on the day, doesn’t mean I wasn’t worthy of a place (was actually a charity place, very easy to get if someone really wants to do it) and if anything it’s far harder being out in the course that long, different kind of endurance and for London it’s not a speed race like others, it’s an inclusive event and is getting more inclusive every year

It’s difficult because if you run, it’s a passion and the London Marathon has become a complete beast and so much more than a running race.

I was really fortunate and got a place through the ballot on my first time of entering. I trained religiously and did run it but got injured and limped in with some run/walk at the end at 4:47. Some would say that was a shit time and I wasn’t really running but I worked my arse off for that. Now 12 years later I would never make it to the start time never mind the finish with 2 bum knees!

People do it for different reasons and in their own way. I think it’s become such a carnival that it’s fine to do it however and if you do it within the decided cut off time good luck to you.

If you are a runner who wants a proper marathon London is probably not the one for you these days.

So the runners should never stop a walk a few miles if they need to then? you're just bitter that you never got a place, can't be arsed to run for a charity and raise money, or can't improve your running time to be faster.

Well, the organisers set the cut off at 8 hours so they clearly don't expect that everyone will run all the way. What makes you think you know better than they do about what the event is supposed to be?

The final finisher is seen RUNNING at the finish.
Nothing in the rules say you have to run the whole way.

Your posts are coming across as, at best, unpleasant and inking and, at worst, ableist and discriminatory.

And you’ve not responded to the fact that by reducing the number of the slower runners - who are often charity places rather than ballot places - you would be contributing to a reduction in the amount of money charities receive from the event.

Nor have you responded to the fact that the London Marathon has been an inclusive event for participants of all abilities for decades. So why should they change it when that goes against their ethos?

It a running race. YANBU op.

@Doyouthinktheyknow you’re right and I think carnival is the right term. When I get my annual rejection from London I will sign up to another.

Mumsnet is hilarious. Double standards for adults versus kids. I’m sure I was reading a very exclusive thread the other day about grassroots football and some poster’s poor DS “not being good enough”. Posters said he should get over it, learn to manage his disappointment. Yet when it’s adults, oh no anyone can do anything (except they can’t, running a marathon isn’t meant to be easy, clue in the title).

This was the first year wheelchair assisted participants were allowed.
don't suppose you'd want those inconvenient types slowing you down or taking up your precious space either

Maybe your ire should be directed at the 20,000 runners who - every year - are given a place, but don't turn up on the day. Last year 27% of all entrants did not turn up to start the race. The organisers know this, and so allow many more entries than they could cope with, knowing that 20,000 people who have paid the entrance fee, won't turn up on the day.

Yes that’s awful @Banquosfeast.

@Hobnobswantshernameback hardly. I would imagine wheelchair participants would train.

I was helping on a water station yesterday and we have to stay open till the 8 hour 'pacers' go past. This is so everyone feels supported no matter where they fall in the pack. It's clear that by 6.5 hours the nature of the participants has changed. They're mostly walking, mostly not as fit as the faster runners but they have clearly set themselves a target and they are just as determined.

You're misguided OP. Not everyone is a serious runner who takes part and it would be dull if they were.

OP - I don’t think the London Marathon is the right event for you. You clearly don’t like its ethos or how the organisers like to have it open to those of varying abilities. So why do you keep applying?

So how do you know that some of these slower participants haven't trained?

What rot. The London marathon is for everyone. I'll have to "get over" the fact I'll never run for England/my county.

I know someone who did it this year - a serious club runner, but now dying of terminal cancer.

The ones who battle through such as Mav at the end are quite inspirational, he looked in pain but hadn’t given up.