London Marathon 2010

HardyEustace

Trying to get into the London marathon site but it's currently advising to wait until later as people are trying to enter the ballot.

I actually wanted to go in to have a sniff around and see how to enter.

Has anyone here entered London before? What's the process?

(and yes, I know I swore I was never doing another <<insert expletive here>> race again)... just curious like!

rovers_runner

HardyEustace wrote: »

Trying to get into the London marathon site but it's currently advising to wait until later as people are trying to enter the ballot.

I actually wanted to go in to have a sniff around and see how to enter.

Has anyone here entered London before? What's the process?

(and yes, I know I swore I was never doing another <<insert expletive here>> race again)... just curious like!

We'll be in the overseas ballot, which reduces the chances even further.
I have a rejection from yesterdays race to my name going forward, assuming that will still be counted now that the organisation has changed?

Best bet for a guaranteed place is sportstoursinternational.
Packages from around €700-800 though so not great options.
Fundraising over €3,000 is out of the questions in the new Ireland....

Running Bing

Is there no automatic entry if you run a certain time for London like in New York?

hunnymonster

There are two automatic entries
1. good for age
http://www.london-marathon.co.uk/site/?pageID=2&submenu=13&article=31
Doesn't say anything about having to be a UK resident.
2. championship
http://www.london-marathon.co.uk/site/?pageID=2&submenu=13&article=28 (but you have to be a member of a UK club)

robinph

No automatic entries for anyone in London, unless your name is Paula or your one of the now only 5-10 maybe, who have completed every one of them.

They said yesterday in the commentary that they are so over subscribed for entries now that they even have to limit the number of entries to the ballot to try to get entries.

Hard Worker

rovers_runner wrote: »

We'll be in the overseas ballot, which reduces the chances even further.
I have a rejection from yesterdays race to my name going forward, assuming that will still be counted now that the organisation has changed?

Best bet for a guaranteed place is sportstoursinternational.
Packages from around €700-800 though so not great options.
Fundraising over €3,000 is out of the questions in the new Ireland....

I think it's Sports Travel International.
The organisation hasn't changed, just the sponsor.

Running Bing

robinph wrote: »

No automatic entries for anyone in London, unless your name is Paula or your one of the now only 5-10 maybe, who have completed every one of them.

They said yesterday in the commentary that they are so over subscribed for entries now that they even have to limit the number of entries to the ballot to try to get entries.

So is the good for age entry done away with now?

robinph

Running Bing wrote: »

So is the good for age entry done away with now?

Doubt it, I was just exaggerating a touch.

HardyEustace

There's a notice on the web site saying that the entry site is over-subscribed and to try later or tomorrow.

messed_up

Just received confirmation that I'm in the overseas ballot - yay! Awful slow process - reckon I could run the marathon in the time it took me to register!

--amadeus--

GFA is still there, but:

Please note, only UK residents can apply for a good for age entry into the Virgin London Marathon. If you're applying from overseas you'll need to enter the overseas ballot.

So you'll need a UK address if you are going that route from here. Time bands are tight enough as well (at least for men) - male under 40 is sub 3, female sub 3:45.

rovers_runner

In the ballot too eventually for the 2nd time.
Won't get hopes up though, will do Barca again or Rotterdam if I don't get into London.

HardyEustace

In the ballot as well! Praying for an entry (and one for my pals please Mr. Running God).

--amadeus--

HardyEustace wrote: »

Praying for an entry (and one for my pals please Mr. Running God).

I'll do my best for you

Peckham

--amadeus-- wrote: »

So you'll need a UK address if you are going that route from here. Time bands are tight enough as well (at least for men) - male under 40 is sub 3, female sub 3:45.

Noticeably "easier" for females to get in through the GFA rule. For example, 3:45 as a female must be a lot more achievable than 3:00 as a male. Is this a reflection of the poor female standard that HM talks about?

However, frustrating if you're a fast female who goes sub-3:15 (or a fast male going sub-2:45), as you're not eligible for GFA (even with access to a UK address), and need to go the Championship route (for which you need to be a member of a UK club).

As hoped, my 3:00:00 in Dublin gets me into London 2010. Might have missed the sub-3, but have scraped in here!

TheRoadRunner

Peckham wrote: »

However, frustrating if you're a fast female who goes sub-3:15 (or a fast male going sub-2:45), as you're not eligible for GFA (even with access to a UK address), and need to go the Championship route (for which you need to be a member of a UK club).

Yes this is a strange one. Basically if you live in the UK and aren't a member of a club you are penalised if you have run faster than 2.45

I reckon they would still let you in the GFA category. At least they should

ManFromAtlantis

Peckham wrote: »

As hoped, my 3:00:00 in Dublin gets me into London 2010. Might have missed the sub-3, but have scraped in here!

do you mean you thought you might have missed the sub 3 but got in on 3? thats mad ted. if so, talk about cutting it fine, i suppose you knew what you were doing;)

Just entered the online ballot

Skipping Dublin this year so would be great to get into this. Lots of family (Brother, sister and uncle!) in London too, so fingers crossed!

Clum

Has anybody who entered via the overseas ballot been notified by the London Marathon whether they've been given a spot or not?

There's a link on the website where successful ballot entrants can pay the registration fee and runnersworld.co.uk have various articles for those who did and didn't get accepted.

HardyEustace

Clum wrote: »

Has anybody who entered via the overseas ballot been notified by the London Marathon whether they've been given a spot or not?

There's a link on the website where successful ballot entrants can pay the registration fee and runnersworld.co.uk have various articles for those who did and didn't get accepted.

I haven't heard anything yet. Had completely forgotten that I'd entered this marathon until my pal reminded.

RacoonQueen

Not heard anything myself either. I think overseas entrants usually find out shortly after the UK entrants. Check out the runnersworld forum to see what they're saying you'll usually see some people who haven't heard either.

rovers_runner

Rang the organisers yesterday.
The international ballot crowd should recieve an email by Monday evening so fingers crossed.

rigal

rovers_runner wrote: »

Rang the organisers yesterday.
The international ballot crowd should recieve an email by Monday evening so fingers crossed.

Cheers rr - I'm keeping my fingers crossed for this as well.

HardyEustace

Just got an email saying that I was unsuccessful in my ballot application.

rovers_runner

HardyEustace wrote: »

Just got an email saying that I was unsuccessful in my ballot application.

+1 Hardy, not bothered so much as it opens up another European marathon, will either do Barcelona again or Rotterdam.

Woddle

I had forgotten I had entered the ballot system till I too got an email saying NO, oh well.

Krusty_Clown

London Marathon Fail. Looks like it's just you Peckham!
Any enlightenment on the good for age process? Do you have to have a UK address/residency? I'm not elligble at the moment, but maybe some day.

Abhainn

I too recieved the fc..off email this morning.

I haven't received any notificationn regarding my UK entry though. Even if I try and pay the fee it doesn't recognise my details.

Where luck is involved well I wasn't born with it, this ballet system confirms this again:(


Ok checked Runnerworld. It seems you get notification by post first. Seems a bit daft .. why not email?

village runner

Out sick myself so wont hear until monday. Expecting the f*** off too.
So where to instead ???

shels4ever

We regret that we have to advise you that your application to run in the 2010 Virgin London Marathon has not been successful due to massive over-subscription.

Well thats me out too . now its time to rethink my winter training plans....

Oisin11178

No for me 2:(

rovers_runner

Barca for me.
Flights are €80 return with tax for out on Fri return on Mon.
Barca at home that weekend in Camp Nou.
€45 entry fee before Christmas.

village runner

rovers_runner wrote: »

Barca for me.
Flights are €80 return with tax for out on Fri return on Mon.
Barca at home that weekend in Camp Nou.
€45 entry fee before Christmas.

Whats barca like ? What date is it ??

dermCu

Got my GFA yesterday. Am living in the UK.

RacoonQueen

No for me too. Unsurprising though. Blackpool maybe?

Metar

Does anyone know if you are guaranteed entry to London, after you clock up a number of refusals?
Thanks.

RacoonQueen

Metar wrote: »

Does anyone know if you are guaranteed entry to London, after you clock up a number of refusals?
Thanks.

I think it's three refusals in a row then you get it on the fourth year.

HardyEustace

village runner wrote: »

Whats barca like ? What date is it ??

Think it's the end of February which has always reduced it's appeal for me as you're doing your really long miles through Christmas and the wettest, coldest weather (though this could mean June also in this country) of the year.

village runner

HardyEustace wrote: »

Think it's the end of February which has always reduced it's appeal for me as you're doing your really long miles through Christmas and the wettest, coldest weather (though this could mean June also in this country) of the year.

I decided on paris. Expensive city for race accom etc.

HardyEustace

village runner wrote: »

I decided on paris. Expensive city for race accom etc.

Expensive for everything. We ended up going to McDonalds for two meals as food was so expensive and the service was rubbish, it took FOREVER to get food. Grand when you're not in a rush and don't have to be in bed early and have a glass of wine in front of you, not good the night before a amrathon

rigal

Got my "no" today as well.

Krusty_Clown

I'm thinking Seville in February. Cheap flights to Malaga, and only a two hour drive to seville.

meathcountysec

Krusty_Clown wrote: »

I'm thinking Seville in February. Cheap flights to Malaga, and only a two hour drive to seville.

Don't Ryanair fly direct anymore? Or is Malaga their idea of a direct flight ;-)

Krusty_Clown

meathcountysec wrote: »

Don't Ryanair fly direct anymore? Or is Malaga their idea of a direct flight ;-)

No, they appear to be seasonal, so no RyanAir direct flights (which from a marathon perspective is almost a relief). After my Edinburgh experience (where the changed the time of my flight by 12 hours (to well after registration closed), I'd gladly travel with Aerlingus to another city, and drive for a few hours. Holidays - fine. Marathons, no chance.

Krusty_Clown

dermCu wrote: »

Got my GFA yesterday. Am living in the UK.

What kind of info/documentation do they look for? Just an address?

eliwallach

rigal wrote: »

Got my "no" today as well.

I'm a NO as well.
The OH will be overjoyed :rolleyes:.

Ruarl Runner

No for me too... That's the third ''NO'' on the trot from London...

So looks like Connemara in April or Belfast in May???

Suggestions anyone???

Woddle

Ruarl Runner wrote: »

No for me too... That's the third ''NO'' on the trot from London...

So looks like Connemara in April or Belfast in May???

Suggestions anyone???

Rotterdam in April

Oisin11178

Ill be doing blackpool in april:)

Poncherello

whats balackpool like ?

Oisin11178

I Have not got a clue what the race is like but its a place i always wanted to go:)