London marathon 2026?

[Marathon26]

Just wondering if any other Mumsnetters are taking part? It's my first time!

No, never got in on the ballot and charity places are a bit scary because of the amount you have to raise so my plan is to try and get a good for age place for 2027.

good luck to you. Are you running for a charity?

I've realised the same, unless you can promise to raise something in the thousands then they don't want to know. Quite sad as wealthy people can essentially buy a spot.

I'm have a charity spot and I've had to think outside the box for fundraising as I'd hate to annoy everyone I know by constantly begging for them to donate.

I’m supposed to be. Got a place in the ballot and training was going well until new year when I got a cold that took 5 weeks to shift and torpedoed my training. I have a 10 mile run on Friday and if I can’t manage it I might have to admit defeat. Unfortunately I already deferred it because the year I got in I was pregnant so looking at losing a place it took me 20 years to get. Bugger.

17 tries in the ballot I think.
Got in once. Had to defer due to breastfeeding. Then the following year discovered a slightly unplanned but very much wanted pregnancy a week before the marathon. So didn't run. Had a miscarriage few weeks later. Gutted

Now I'm also planning for Good for Age either this year or next

I think you can pull this one off though if the cold is fully shifted. Were you running regularly (assume for last 20 years lol) before the cold?

I ran a marathon last Spring with hardly any 'proper' training after getting a cold and ditching the long runs.

It's still 9 weeks away so you can adjust your plan and get at least 6 or 7 long runs in. What has your longest been so far this training? Oh and have you run a marathon before?

Longest so far is 13 miles. Now down with another cold (the joys of small kids). Going to go out again Monday and see if I can jiggle the plan about a bit.

Some people don't mind donating.
Your employer might match charity donations so it is worth investigating.

I can't stand the way the commentators go on about how people have raised money for charity when many of them have bought a place.
I find it demeaning to those who have put in a huge amount of time and training to raise money for a cause they believe in.

Also, I think you need to collect your race number a week before the event, which is not great if you are hours from London. (check this is still the case0
There are loads of other marathons you can enter.

Im envious, although I am fortunate to have done it 5 times before...(last time was 2018) but i still want to do it again!
Im training for a half at the moment and tbh given how many wet/muddy runs I've done recently im actually glad I havent been running further.
London marathon has progressed to being predominantly a charity event, which obviously is a good thing but the fundraising targets are pretty hefty. Its a lot of effort to organise events to raise money alongside training and working.

Is it your first marathon or just first London?!

Just wanted to chime in as I’ve run it 3 times and my first one was genuinely the best day of my life until I got married. It absolutely blew me away, even though it really really really hurt 😂. Will be up there cheering on my Dad this year as he goes for his 3rd go, aged 63!

The training is tough, particularly whilst this weather is crap and the distances are going up but dig in, it’s so so worth it!

I’m in. Got a ballot place after applying for 17 years. Training going well. I’m up to 18 miles already. Doing the FIRST plan, which is 3 days running and two days cross training. I like it as I don’t cope too well with 5 days of running.