London Marathon 2024

[DeepfriedPizza]

I thought I would start a thread for those running the London Marathon 2024.
I entered the ballot again for this year after many years of rejection and got in!

I did, however, tear my calf in January and again in September so I've not been able to build a good base ready to start training in January.

I am a slow runner, I will probably finish at about 5 and a half hours so hopefully I will be fit enough to get round.

Anyone else?

well done. I’ve only done four halves so in awe of all of you.

Well done @xsquared that’s an amazing time, and congratulations everyone who went home with a medal.

The first 8 miles were a struggle, I just wasn’t enjoying it, then I heard the drums of a band & it all just clicked. I loved the rest of it and the crowd support is spectacular.

No fast time for me, I was aiming to complete (but did knock 3 mins off my time from 2019)

Knocked 20 minutes off my 2022 time, but still not where I wanted to be. Ballot entry in for next year - perhaps it will be third time lucky.

20 minutes pb is an impressive chunk to knock off!

Thank you @fatteratforty , @Lastqueenofscotland2 and @Clearinguptheclutter .

I'm sorry your run didn't go to plan @Lastqueenofscotland2 . Will your time still qualify you for GFA next year to have another attempt?

No idea - but in your shoes I wouldn't even try.

If I got a place, I'd defer it to 2026

yes but I think I’m going to give a spring marathon a swerve next year, my last 4(!!) spring marathons have all been pretty hideous and all my autumn ones have been good?! I don’t know what it is!

My best marathons ever have been London when it was in October for covid… bring that back I say 😂

I’ve just joined a running group and we had a coach to London for anyone that wanted tot watch . A few runners from our group were on the coach and we dropped them off at the start point.
It was a long day , but enjoyed supporting the runners.

I put my ballot in a few days ago as an individual, seriously what chance do I have of being successful?

Lots of people qualify for age times, but my question is , how can you get a time in the first place if you can’t get a place ? How does that work ? You need to actually do the marathon before you can get a time.

Any advice for getting a place ? Maybe a charity place ? Although they usually have a £2.5 k minimum fund raise limit and I’m not really much of a fund raising type, I’m actually fairly quiet..

@Paul2023 you can run a qualifying time at any marathon with a certified course.

@Lastqueenofscotland2 totally agree! I much prefer training over the summer for autumn marathons.

It’s really hard. For some people trying to get a GFA place is realistic but not for most of us

if you join a running club they may have spaces to give out which probably is better odds than the ballot. Nobody really knows but chances of getting in the ballot thought to be 1 in about 50. I entered the “donate your entry free” ballot for an extra chance. I do know people who got in this way, and the free ballot too.

Did a few days ago just as an individual!

Any other UK ones worth doing ? With much support ? Obviously nothing will compare to London !

Manchester is great but the same date as London next year which isn’t helpful. Most uk marathons will qualify for the gfa places. You have to be fast tho!

GFA places is mainly over 50 or 60?

DD ran the Brighton one a couple of weeks ago, loads of support and lots of the route along the sea front which was beautiful too.

GFA goes from the full age range 18- 39, 40 - 44, right up to 80+. Have a look at the page here from the London Marathon website on qualifying times.

Good For Age

You can run a qualifying time at any other UKA certified course.

I entered the ballot twice but ran my first marathon at Manchester in 2023 with a qualifying time, and submitted a GFA entry for London.

I’ve applied for an individual ballot. Is it too late to try and get a charity place ? Obviously the ballot isn’t announced until June.. can you apply for a charity place if you’re unsuccessful as an individual?

Im confused !

Not at all too late to apply for a charity place. From what I recall, they seem to have them for quite some time after the ballot results are announced.

Beware though, you need to be very good at fundraising as they have a high target.

Ok so I can’t apply for a charity ballot just yet because I’ve already applied as an individual?
You can’t apply as an individual and for a charity at the same time ?

I think it’s fine to wait until after the ballot result before going for a charity place. I don’t think they have ballots as such they will just give places to those they think can raise the most money. The smaller more random charities will have smaller targets.

I did my first marathon yesterday in London and got my place through my running club. I believe odds for ballot are around 7%. I tried for 10 yrs with no luck. Running clubs are allocated places based on number of members and they’ve tightened it so think it’s 1 place per 150 members. The club got another place for marshalling. I’m not in any rush to do another one as everything hurts but was a great experience. I live in London but ran through places I’ve never been to so was amazing.

Well done to everyone who ran , it’s really inspiring.
Ive applied as I said before , if unsuccessful, Ill try through a charity..
If that doesn’t work I’ll attempt Brighton next year..