London Marathon 22/4/2012

Lex Luther · 01-07-2011 10:55am

any one else out there who has applied for a "UK" good for age entry who HASN'T heard back yet....going on holidays soon and stressing out !:(

village runner · 06-07-2011 10:28pm

I got my form yesterday and form sent off. A great marathon.
Maybe better than berlin.
Bottle of water and lucozade sport a big plus.

misty floyd · 01-08-2011 10:30pm

I got accepted with a uk address good for age. My contact was away and didnt get the letter until tonight. Closing date for application forms was on friday. I'm an idiot. I might ask him to send it in anyway but i'm not confident. Waste of time?

TheRoadRunner · 01-08-2011 10:32pm

misty floyd wrote: »

I got accepted with a uk address good for age. My contact was away and didnt get the letter until tonight. Closing date for application forms was on friday. I'm an idiot. I might ask him to send it in anyway but i'm not confident. Waste of time?

That's a pain. Get him to priority post it tomorrow and put a sob story in saying you have started to raise money or something along those lines. To be honest I wouldn't be confident

robinph · 01-08-2011 10:51pm

You might get lucky, but I'd not count on it.

My cheque was cashed by them sometime last week.

misty floyd · 01-08-2011 10:58pm

Yeah ill arrange to post it anyway. Says on the site that under no circumstances will late entrants be taken but they write that after the initial entry deadline, i'm still not confident. Year of the olympics should be that bit better. Dead jealous lads.

robinph · 01-08-2011 11:14pm

Your only hope is that they have already assigned you your race number anyway, they pretty much expect you to be sending them a cheque after that. Make something up about it getting lost in the post.

village runner · 02-08-2011 8:29pm

robinph wrote: »

Your only hope is that they have already assigned you your race number anyway, they pretty much expect you to be sending them a cheque after that. Make something up about it getting lost in the post.

My cheque cashed last week. I am officially in FGFA.

robinph · 02-08-2011 9:12pm

village runner wrote: »

My cheque cashed last week. I am officially in FGFA.

That sounds durty.

misty floyd · 04-08-2011 2:24pm

village runner wrote: »

My cheque cashed last week.

Is this the only notification you get that everything has gone through? I'm just wondering if they send a second letter out to say they received the 2nd form and cheque.
Cheers.

ThePiedPiper · 04-08-2011 2:29pm

misty floyd wrote: »

Is this the only notification you get that everything has gone through? I'm just wondering if they send a second letter out to say they received the 2nd form and cheque.
Cheers.

Yes, it seems they don't send any confirmation or anything until October when the magazines are sent out to everybody entered, including the lottery applicants. It's a very weird system. I'd say they get mobbed with calls from people checking the status of their application to make sure they're in. No other major marathon I've entered has the same antiquated entry set-up.

robinph · 04-08-2011 2:51pm

They have no need to confirm anything else though. You have already been confirmed a place and race number, once you send them a cheque that is you confirming their offer of a place.

Hopefully you get in misty, I'm looking forward to you screaming your way down The Mall during my finishing video. But I've now been told by one of my brothers that I should be targeting 2:45 by then or he isn't interested. :eek:

misty floyd · 04-08-2011 6:32pm

robinph wrote: »

They have no need to confirm anything else though. You have already been confirmed a place and race number, once you send them a cheque that is you confirming their offer of a place.

Hopefully you get in misty, I'm looking forward to you screaming your way down The Mall during my finishing video. But I've now been told by one of my brothers that I should be targeting 2:45 by then or he isn't interested. :eek:

Ha ha that was great at Dublin. You wont be hearing screams from me finishing at that pace though.

misty floyd · 07-08-2011 4:05pm

Crap, got a letter to say no entry. Suppose it was expected. Enjoy.

Brianderunner · 19-09-2011 2:46pm

Anyone know when we get news on the ballot? What date? Other than October, cheers.

robinph · 19-09-2011 3:12pm

When did the ballot even happen?

Brianderunner · 19-09-2011 3:15pm

robinph wrote: »

When did the ballot even happen?

I didnt say it did, just wondering when we'll find out if we're in or not? Been searching online but to no avail.

RacoonQueen · 19-09-2011 3:33pm

From memory, it's usually about a week before DCM.

robinph · 19-09-2011 4:02pm

I'd just been expecting to notice a bit more "noise" about when it did happen, either from you lot or from people in my club here. Guess I just wasn't paying enough attention.

marathonm@n · 20-09-2011 6:19pm

End of april is when the ballot opens. Can't remember exactly but it's only open for about 48 hours if memory serves me right. Early October is when you notified. I have applied unsuccessfully for last 3 years.

griffin100 · 23-09-2011 12:10pm

E-mail from organsers today:

Are you getting excited in anticipation of finding out whether you’ve got a place in the Virgin London Marathon? If you can, try and put this to the back of your mind for now – the results will be announced in early October - and if you haven’t already, kick-start your training for this race or any other you might be considering running.

David Bedford, Race Director, Virgin London Marathon

RacoonQueen · 23-09-2011 2:31pm

Knowing my luck I'll get a place this time now that my plans for April - August are more or less set on stone and don't include running London...

hf4z6sqo7vjngi · 23-09-2011 2:55pm

RacoonQueen wrote: »

Knowing my luck I'll get a place this time now that my plans for April - August are more or less set on stone and don't include running London...

Ah there is no way you could turn a place down, bloody amazing race. I hope either my twin brother up North, my wife or I get in for a place:)

robinph · 29-09-2011 11:06am

Good for age acceptance pack came through the post today.

Just a load of advertising from charities trying to get you to raise money for them really.

Krusty_Clown · 29-09-2011 11:26am

robinph wrote: »

Good for age acceptance pack came through the post today.

Just a load of advertising from charities trying to get you to raise money for them really.

Be great if 'someone' put together a very brief FAQ, for how to apply for a good-for-age place. Like what you need, when you need to do it, etc..

ThePiedPiper · 29-09-2011 12:11pm

Woohoo, mine arrived in post in UK this morning too.. Good job seeing as I'd already booked flights and hotels!!

tHE vAGGABOND · 29-09-2011 12:17pm

RacoonQueen wrote: »

Knowing my luck I'll get a place this time now that my plans for April - August are more or less set on stone and don't include running London...

I would take it from you, with some cheap surgery I could pass for you, no bother :pac:

Marathon talk on FB saying this is the whole ballot, so done early, not "early October" I guess.

Brianderunner · 29-09-2011 12:29pm

tHE vAGGABOND wrote: »

I would take it from you, with some cheap surgery I could pass for you, no bother :pac:

I would just tippex out the "F" on the number, wouldnt bother me tbh. Vagga those of us who live closest to the race will have first call on unwanted boardsie numbers, i made that up just there

robinph · 29-09-2011 12:29pm

Their page seems a bit wrong as they are refering to the 2012 entries but then say you need a time from a marathon in 2010 or 2011 to get into the 2012 one which is not correct:

http://www.virginlondonmarathon.com/marathon-centre/enter-virgin-london-marathon/good-for-age-entries/

There were cut of dates for when the qualifying time had to be done, and it was more specific than just year. I think last year that the date was something around Berlin weekend.

You do need to be a UK "resident", and send them a copy of proof of age such as passport or driving license. Passport is probably better as that won't show an address that conflicts with the address of your aunt's that you are claiming to live at in the UK.

You need to pay them by cheque from a UK bank or with a postal order, and there are only a couple of weeks between them sending the confirmation that you can have a place and when you need to get that cheque and form back to them. So you need to have an efficient "aunt" living in London to sort your post for you.

ThePiedPiper · 29-09-2011 12:34pm

FAQ on how to get Good for Age place in London marathon:

Q1. What time do I need to qualify?
A1. For Senior Men, the qualifying time is 3.10, 3.15 for ages 41-59. For senior ladies, the time is 3.50 for any lady under 50.

Q2. What proof of time is required?
A2: Proof of time from a certificate, splits from official marathon site, or apparantly newspaper clippings. As well as this, a Proof of Age is required, such as copy of drivers licence or passport. Note that this does not have to be UK, Irish licence or passport is fine.

Q3. Will any marathon do?
A3. Big city marathons will always be fine. However, there may be question marks over some smaller marathons where timing or distance may not be verified.

Q4. Is Good for Age open for foreign (ie Irish runners)?
A4. Strictly speaking No. The criteria is that Good for Age is for UK residents. However, all you really need is a correspondene address in the UK

Q5. Do London Marathon GFA committee look for proof of residence in the UK with the application?
A5. No. However, it may be an idea to send in your race cert or proof of time without showing that you are Irish. It doesn't seem strict.

Q6. When can you apply?
A6. GFA can be sent in from around the end of April and has to be received by July. If you pass the inspection of the panel, an application will be sent to the UK address given.

Q7. How is payment handled?
A7. The entry fee is around about the £20 mark. This is payable with the completed application form. I would suggest that it is important that this be paid with a UK Sterling cheque and not Euro.

Q8. When is a proof of entry or receipt sent to the runner?
A8. After payment, nothing is sent to the successful applicant until end September/early October. However, it is possible to ring the GFA desk at London marathon to ensure everything is in order.

Q9. What are the perks of GFA over the ballot or other entry routes?
A9. Obviously, it's pretty much guaranteed. As well as that, there is a favourable starting pen closer to the front than the masses with allegedly, more space, more portaloos, etc.

RubyK · 29-09-2011 12:38pm

Posted 1 hr ago by Virgin London Marathon

"Exciting news: Accepted and Rejected magazines have now been sent and will be landing on doormats any day now!"

Brianderunner · 29-09-2011 1:21pm

I'm in

My acceptance pack was delivered this morning and i spotted it now at lunchtime (I live in London btw) Over the moon

robinph · 29-09-2011 1:28pm

Is it too soon to decide where to go for post race beers?

ELFOYZER · 29-09-2011 1:42pm

RubyK wrote: »

Posted 1 hr ago by Virgin London Marathon

"Exciting news: Accepted and Rejected magazines have now been sent and will be landing on doormats any day now!"

Hey guys, I entered the ballot too last April. How does it work - do you recieve an e-mail confirming acceptance/ rejection?

Peckham · 29-09-2011 1:48pm

RunForestRun wrote: »

Q9. What are the perks of GFA over the ballot or other entry routes?
A9. Obviously, it's pretty much guaranteed. As well as that, there is a favourable starting pen closer to the front than the masses with allegedly, more space, more portaloos, etc.

The advantages on the day cannot be underestimated, and it makes for a very pleasant race day experience. GFAs get priority treatment at the start with their own area to warm-up, rest etc. It even has people walking around handing out bottles of water, free tea and coffee etc, as well as an abundance of portaloos and a dedicated bag drop. You're kept in this holding area until about 10 minutes before the start before being shepherded into a reserved start area at the front of one of the two starts (the front of the other start is the elites and championship runners*).

* In order to qualify as a championship runner you need to run a slightly faster time (not sure how much) and be a member of a UK athletics club.

RayCun · 29-09-2011 1:49pm

Brianderunner wrote: »

I'm in

So - sub-3 or in a costume for charity?

RubyK · 29-09-2011 1:55pm

ELFOYZER wrote: »

Hey guys, I entered the ballot too last April. How does it work - do you recieve an e-mail confirming acceptance/ rejection?

Afaik, you get a magazine in the post, with accepted or rejected on it. Best of luck

Brianderunner · 29-09-2011 2:01pm

RayCun wrote: »

So - sub-3 or in a costume for charity?

Lol, not sure. Just when i had retired from marathons this comes along

RubyK wrote: »

Afaik, you get a magazine in the post, with accepted or rejected on it. Best of luck

Yep a magazine and a load of charity stuff. Red clear plastic around it. Before i even picked it up i could see "Provisional Acceptance Form" through the plastic

Brianderunner · 29-09-2011 2:02pm

Peckham wrote: »

The advantages on the day cannot be underestimated, and it makes for a very pleasant race day experience. GFAs get priority treatment at the start with their own area to warm-up, rest etc. It even has people walking around handing out bottles of water, free tea and coffee etc, as well as an abundance of portaloos and a dedicated bag drop. You're kept in this holding area until about 10 minutes before the start before being shepherded into a reserved start area at the front of one of the two starts (the front of the other start is the elites and championship runners*).

* In order to qualify as a championship runner you need to run a slightly faster time (not sure how much) and be a member of a UK athletics club.

Sub 2'45 it is to be a champs runner and its free entry. I have gfa for 2013, sounds good.

RayCun · 29-09-2011 2:03pm

Brianderunner wrote: »

Lol, not sure. Just when i had retired from marathons this comes along

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UPw-3e_pzqU

robinph · 29-09-2011 2:13pm

Brianderunner wrote: »

Sub 2'45 it is to be a champs runner and its free entry. I have gfa for 2013, sounds good.

Free entry for the one after that then? :eek:

Brianderunner · 29-09-2011 2:22pm

robinph wrote: »

Free entry for the one after that then? :eek:

For you maybe (if you ever train for it)

robinph · 29-09-2011 2:25pm

Brianderunner wrote: »

For you maybe (if you ever train for it)

Training's overrated.

Brianderunner · 29-09-2011 5:48pm

£28 to enter, what a joke. Makes a mockery of every other big city marathon.

marathonm@n · 29-09-2011 8:15pm

commiserations magazine again.

griffin100 · 30-09-2011 2:51pm

I haven't heard either way but it looks like a rejection as my details aren't recognised as being a successful application here.

Brianderunner · 30-09-2011 3:06pm

griffin100 wrote: »

I haven't heard either way but it looks like a rejection as my details aren't recognised as being a successful application here.

Good thinking griffin100. No need to wait for the postman just input your details there to see if your in. I paid through that method yesterday and i didnt need any info that was posted to me.

shels4ever · 30-09-2011 3:31pm

griffin100 wrote: »

I haven't heard either way but it looks like a rejection as my details aren't recognised as being a successful application here.

Oh Crap I got in :eek: wasnt expecting that now, guess I maybe training for another marathon....

Brianderunner · 30-09-2011 3:34pm

shels4ever wrote: »

Oh Crap I got in :eek: wasnt expecting that now, guess I maybe training for another marathon....

Nice one. That'll give your winter some focus. See you over there

shels4ever · 30-09-2011 3:39pm

Brianderunner wrote: »

Nice one. That'll give your winter some focus. See you over there

Yep, I've entered for the last 4 years in a row and almost fell of my seat when the payment option appeared. TRR drafted in for another marathon plan, what are the odds on a calf tear in Feb/March

London Marathon 22/4/2012

Comments