8 hours plus marathon times

MrCreosote

As mentioned in the other thread, there was an article on the Irish times where the athlete started early in order to finish before the finish line had been removed.

http://www.irishtimes.com/newspaper/...325896479.html

Wondering what people's take on this is- walking at 6kph would have you finishing in 7 hours, and there has to be some cut off for roads opening and volunteers going home.

I'm pretty inclusive really- anything that gets people exercising is a good thing in my opinion, but there has to be a point where we say "don't do the marathon this year, keep the training up and enter when you'll be able to finish while the event is still on."

It's like running it with an injury- there comes a point where bulling on through just becomes bloody-mindedness

Oryx

In this case the time was 7.5 hours to finish wasn't it? Tho many entrants are listed with finish times longer than this. I think they are more than generous with it tbh. In other races (particularly multisport) cut offs are strict and will see you removed from the course. There has to be a point at which organisers say stop, so people won't enter on a whim without a required minimum of fitness.

Pherekydes

MrCreosote wrote: »

Wondering what people's take on this is- walking at 6kph would have you finishing in 7 hours, and there has to be some cut off for roads opening and volunteers going home.

Would walking at 6 km/hr be considered exercise? Why don't these people go shopping for 7 hours instead?

Itziger

I couldn't agree more with you. Well maybe I could. There are so many things I can't do it's not funny. But there are rules against letting people like me compete in sports and activities where I simply don't have the ability to do myself justice. I'm trying not to give ridiculous examples, but there are plenty.

Dublin marathon begins at a certain time and place for a number of reasons. Do it if you can, if you can't - fine. Do something else!

scriba

I have to agree also. The cut off point already allows a wide variety of abilities to complete the marathon. Create a new health/accomplishment event if needs be.

MrCreosote

Pherekydes wrote: »

Would walking at 6 km/hr be considered exercise? Why don't these people go shopping for 7 hours instead?

It would be a brisk walk, rather than a fast one I suppose. 7 hours is a long time mind you...

hardCopy

Personally, I'd rather wait until I was ready to have a proper crack at the distance.

I planned to do an Ironman next year, but after dragging my ass around a half iron this year in over 6 hours I've decided it's best to wait a year and get fit enough to actually do myself justice.

tHE vAGGABOND

Its a hard one this, Im pretty sure the rules only say that after the cut off you have to abide by the rules of the road, its not like other marathons when you will literally get removed from the course. But DCM's 'friendly' nature is one of its strong points. While on the pacer stand on Saturday morning there were a fair number of American's came over for 7 hour pace bands, having traveled over here to take part.

But as someone who was big, and lost a fair bit of weight and has now done a few marathons, I think anyone taking steps to sort their life out and start to take part in exercise should be encouraged and we should help and encourage them as much as possible.

Slogger Jogger

If I'm right the journalist started their marathon at 6am. When the organisers have gone to the trouble of phased starts and a reasonable limit in terms of keeping roads open an early start like this could set a bad precedence. Its pretty poor judgement to do it and then write about it IMO.

rom

Slogger Jogger wrote: »

If I'm right the journalist started their marathon at 6am. When the organisers have gone to the trouble of phased starts and a reasonable limit in terms of keeping roads open an early start like this could set a bad precedence. Its pretty poor judgement to do it and then write about it IMO.

Some people think they are special when they clearly are not. Gary's 15 mins of fame should be over and we should be reading an articles about Gary/Barry/Sean at the other end of the race results to inspire .Early starters shouldn't get a start time and should be DQ'd friendly marathon or not. If someone gets permission to start early then that is above board but it seems that might not be the case here.

myflipflops

Is there a cut off time for Marathon de Sables on each day?

If Gary Kirwan is doing an 8.49 marathon in Dublin now, surely there is massive health risks to doing the ultra next year?

The Indo also states that he was 4 stone lighter this year than last year. 4 stone in a year is not very impressive for a man of 25 stone who is claiming to be training for the Marathon de Sables. The word 'inspirational' in the headline entertains me.

I hope they do a piece on Paul Pollock at some point. Or Barry Minnock. Two guys who deserve the print.

Slogger Jogger

If a reasonably fast runner started the race before the 9am official start they'd probably get a DSQ. For some of our hill races early starts are tolerated for those a certain % behind winner's times. For an organiser they are a pain. For big events they should be a no no.

MrCreosote

tHE vAGGABOND wrote: »

Its a hard one this, Im pretty sure the rules only say that after the cut off you have to abide by the rules of the road, its not like other marathons when you will literally get removed from the course. But DCM's 'friendly' nature is one of its strong points. While on the pacer stand on Saturday morning there were a fair number of American's came over for 7 hour pace bands, having traveled over here to take part.

I think removing people is going a bit far, after all it's up to the individual to do what they wish. But saying that rules of the road must be obeyed, that the volunteers/aid stations/finish line/t-shirts etc will be removed, and that the person will not be in the results as a finisher, nor will they receive a medal/finisher's pack should be a minimum I reckon. Mark down as a DNF on the results. Nothing shameful in it- anybody who has done enough events will get a DNF at some stage.

And a person starting early should be down as a DQ regardless of their reasons for it.

tHE vAGGABOND wrote: »

But as someone who was big, and lost a fair bit of weight and has now done a few marathons, I think anyone taking steps to sort their life out and start to take part in exercise should be encouraged and we should help and encourage them as much as possible.

Totally agree with this.

b.harte

I think at one level the fact that he is trying to improve his life is commendable.
Inspirational?
Not by a long shot,.
With the help he is receiving he has a lot more going in his favour than others who walked/jogged the event within the allotted start/finish times, and there is no mention of them.
It peeves me no end when his name is touted on the airwaves and newspapers as someone who is inspirational.
Look, I wish him every success in wherever his journey takes him, the bit that annoyed me most has how crossing the line when there was a crowd cheering seemed important, satisfaction that you are going in the right direction comes from within, you shouldn't need back-slapping.
If the adulation is all that matters you're doing it wrong, unless you are right at the leading end, then bask away.
And yeah DQ, rules are rules.

Well ROM, looks like you and me won't be on Darcy's xmas card list. :rolleyes:

nellocono

Thats funny now...When I was walking into the expo in Dublin on Sunday I saw this guy coming out walking towards us with a Marathon bag in his hand. No offence to the guy but we were all bemused at how he was planning on doing the marathon and he has stuck in mind...

Tbh, I would say fair play to him. Its not easy to lose the weight like has/is doing and it takes a lot of encouragement and self-motivation to do it. If completing a marathon gives him the motivation to keep going then I say well done and keep going. Obesity is and is becoming a big issue and if this guy can raise awareness and encourage others in his position to get up and do something about it then all the better.

He is not hurting anyone by competing by might just help others...

RayCun

myflipflops wrote: »

Is there a cut off time for Marathon de Sables on each day?
If Gary Kirwan is doing an 8.49 marathon in Dublin now, surely there is massive health risks to doing the ultra next year?

He has postponed (wife having a baby next year I think).
There is something seriously wrong with his training/diet imo.
First year he lost 12(?) stone and walked the marathon course in 11 hours. 'Inspirational' is too strong a word, but he was making an effort and on the right track.
But another full year of training and he's lost only 4 stone more, and still can't walk a marathon inside the cutoff time?

Munstermissy

I say fair play to him, he got around which is the main thing and finished.

I am a total beginner and can only dream of completing a 10k, never mind even walking a maraton distance. Going on the comments above, I get the impression that the seasoned runners tend to look down their noses at the beginners/strugglers and from personal experience from races I have took part in my local area over the summer. I was probably paddy last in one of them but at least I got around and was proud of that myself.

Please spare a though for us lowly beginners:-)

myflipflops

Munstermissy wrote: »

Going on the comments above, I get the impression that the seasoned runners tend to look down their noses at the beginners/strugglers)

Nope.

Everyone loves to see beginners out. Every single runner was a beginner at some point. Look on the log forum and watch all the support for people improving. If seasoned runners were looking down their noses, you would not get dozens of volunteers for pacing duty.

Some of us just find it very frustrating when stories like this pick up media space when guys like Barry Minnock, who are running remarkable times 6 and a half hours up the road, get ignored.

I also don't think there is anything particularly impressive about the way Gary Kirwan is going about his task. I think he just likes the publicity. I reckon there are literally thousands of more newsworthy and inspiring stories in Dublin from people running anything from 2.20 to 5.20.

tHE vAGGABOND wrote: »

But as someone who was big, and lost a fair bit of weight and has now done a few marathons, I think anyone taking steps to sort their life out and start to take part in exercise should be encouraged and we should help and encourage them as much as possible.

Agree. I am in exactly the same boat (figuratively, we are not actually in a boat) as you. Exercise and healthy eating should be encouraged but extreme cases should not be the base example.

Van.Bosch

Munstermissy wrote: »

I say fair play to him, he got around which is the main thing and finished.

I am a total beginner and can only dream of completing a 10k, never mind even walking a maraton distance. Going on the comments above, I get the impression that the seasoned runners tend to look down their noses at the beginners/strugglers and from personal experience from races I have took part in my local area over the summer. I was probably paddy last in one of them but at least I got around and was proud of that myself.

Please spare a though for us lowly beginners:-)

There are plenty of seasoned runners on here who share their experience on here to the benefit of others and I don't think they look down their noses at anyone.

I think they are just respecting the rules of the event, which everyone who signs up agrees to.

As for you personally, everyone starts somewhere decent, if you want to and train hard running a marathon would be no bother to you. I started being unable to run 3k and have just completed my third marathon in 4 years. Keep running and maybe join the mentored novices next year.

Munstermissy

I am going on the comments on this thread and from my own personal experience. I'm on week 8 of couch 25k so I think a marathon is beyond me for the time being:-)

RayCun

Munstermissy wrote: »

I am going on the comments on this thread and from my own personal experience. I'm on week 8 of couch 25k so I think a marathon is beyond me for the time being:-)

This time 3 years ago I was on week 6 of couch 2 5k.
This time 2 years ago I had a marathon finisher's medal.:)

Van.Bosch

RayCun wrote: »

This time 3 years ago I was on week 6 of couch 2 5k.
This time 2 years ago I had a marathon finisher's medal.:)

And this time this year he is a seasoned runner sharing his experience with new runners!

RayCun

Van.Bosch wrote: »

And this time this year he is a seasoned runner sharing his experience with new runners!

This time next year I will be telling everyone who'll listen that, in my day, we didn't need gels, or garmins, or feet, and marathons were much longer, at least 50 miles, but still everyone would be finished and in the bar in time for the Angelus...

MrCreosote

Munstermissy wrote: »

I am a total beginner and can only dream of completing a 10k, never mind even walking a maraton distance. Going on the comments above, I get the impression that the seasoned runners tend to look down their noses at the beginners/strugglers and from personal experience from races I have took part in my local area over the summer.

I don't think that's the case at all. Everybody here started somewhere and most people can remember the trepitadion before first race.

What I'm trying to say is that there has to be a limit or cut-off beyond which people shouldn't enter. It's not looking down at someone to say that, it's just the reality of closing roads, running an event with volunteers etc.

Kurt Godel

RayCun wrote: »

This time next year I will be telling everyone who'll listen that, in my day, we didn't need gels, or garmins, or feet, and marathons were much longer, at least 50 miles, but still everyone would be finished and in the bar in time for the Angelus...

This time next year you'll be looking at bike porn and regretting not spending the extra €300 on your entry level wetsuit.

RacoonQueen

Slogger Jogger wrote: »

If I'm right the journalist started their marathon at 6am. When the organisers have gone to the trouble of phased starts and a reasonable limit in terms of keeping roads open an early start like this could set a bad precedence. Its pretty poor judgement to do it and then write about it IMO.

They weren't the only ones either. Walkers passed me before the first wheelchairs came by. The steward told me they started at 7. Gary and co seem to have started at 6 though. I don't think I saw them pass so that probably sounds about right. Remember seeing a fat dude but he was too skinny to be Gary I think...

RayCun

RacoonQueen wrote: »

They weren't the only ones either. Walkers passed me before the first wheelchairs came by. The steward told me they started at 7. Gary and co seem to have started at 6 though. I don't think I saw them pass so that probably sounds about right. Remember seeing a fat dude but he was too skinny to be Gary I think...

Yeah, some walkers were just passing us (around 14 miles) as the elites flew by.
I just don't see the point.

RayCun

Kurt Godel wrote: »

This time next year you'll be looking at bike porn and regretting not spending the extra €300 on your entry level wetsuit.

I've left instructions with some trusted associates. If I'm ever seen in a wetsuit, they'll leave me alone in a room with a revolver and give me a chance to restore my honour

ThePiedPiper

I've the utmost respect for all of the runners and walkers that put in some training, improve their lifestyle and complete any distance to the best of their abilities. However, I'll admit that at 9.50 yesterday morning, I was a bit bemused at a few walkers still coming around O'Connoll bridge, honestly just strolling. I don't know why somebody would want to pay 80 or 90 quid to enter a "race", and then stroll extremely slowly for 8 hours. I think 7 hours is a perfect cut-off, it's appropriate for walkers who do a bit of training and aren't at a health risk. Also at 9.10 or 9.15, 4-5 walkers took up half the road on O'Connoll street, having clearly started in Wave 1. This sort of stuff bugs me, if you want to spend 7-8 hours on the course, fine, go for it, but don't walk 4 abreast blocking the road for people who want to run the distance.

Dublin, in my opinion is overly genorous with the early starting, etc. I ran Budapest a few weeks ago. A bus follows the runners around at 5 hour pace, and anybody who hasn't reached certain km markers by a certain time has to get into the bus, as the roads are re-opened as soon as the bus drives by. Harsh, maybe. But, by 3pm, the entire city was cleaned up, no evidence there'd even been a marathon.

The Davestator

Did anyone else see the long haired rocker type lad who was strolling along in jeans, t shirt and shirt with a rug sack on? I thought he was just walking to a hostel or something and then noticed he was wearing a number!

myflipflops

RunForestRun wrote: »

Dublin, in my opinion is overly genorous with the early starting, etc. I ran Budapest a few weeks ago. A bus follows the runners around at 5 hour pace, and anybody who hasn't reached certain km markers by a certain time has to get into the bus, as the roads are re-opened as soon as the bus drives by. Harsh, maybe. But, by 3pm, the entire city was cleaned up, no evidence there'd even been a marathon.

In Fukuoka in Japan, you get pulled off the course if you don't remain on 2.46 pace!

hardCopy

Munstermissy wrote: »

I am going on the comments on this thread and from my own personal experience. I'm on week 8 of couch 25k so I think a marathon is beyond me for the time being:-)

Couch to 5K is the right way to start, run a distance you can manage and gradually increase until you can manage a race. Then you can continue to build up race distances as your fitness increases.

Picking the biggest race you can find and walking so slow that you have to leave 3 hours before the race starts just seems like a lazy way to say you've "done a marathon". Why not put the 6 months, 1, 2 or 3 years in like everyone else and make a proper go of it?

Pisco Sour

Is it just me who is bothered by the fact that the Indo published this gargage?

Again, let's glorify people who have only now decided to cop the fup on, and start making up for years and years of self-inflicted, destructive and intolerable behaviour!! :rolleyes:

JAMM222

I have to completely disagree with this thread, the marathon is for everyone, some people do it to raise money for charity, other people do it for personal reasons but nobody should be discouraged from doing it under any circumstances.

Itziger

Munstermissy wrote: »

I say fair play to him, he got around which is the main thing and finished.

I am a total beginner and can only dream of completing a 10k, never mind even walking a maraton distance. Going on the comments above, I get the impression that the seasoned runners tend to look down their noses at the beginners/strugglers and from personal experience from races I have took part in my local area over the summer. I was probably paddy last in one of them but at least I got around and was proud of that myself.

Please spare a though for us lowly beginners:-)

MM, let me tell you my tale. Five years ago at the age of 42 I wouldn't have been able to do the marathon any faster than the lad in question. And that's why I didn't do one. Then I started training. First day, 2k. I'm not joking. Then I moved up to 4, then 6, then 8. After a couple of months I hit 10 k in training. I was bloody chuffed. Still no plans for a marathon mind cos I wasn't in any way prepared. I did the first leg of a marathon (11k) and I was on my way. Next year I moved up to Half Mar distance. In 2011 I did my first full. Even though I thought I was ready, I suffered royally. Last October did my second. Better, but cramped again. Last month did my third. Improved again though lost a few minutes towards the end. In November I have number 4. Don't know why I signed up for this one tbh. What I'm saying is, it takes time to prepare properly for a marathon. It can be done. Anyone can do one. But you can't take short cuts (see DCM cheat thread for exception:)) and you have to put in the training. Good luck with the running. Keep at it and you'll improve. How much depends almost entirely on you.

rom

b.harte wrote: »

I think at one level the fact that he is trying to improve his life is commendable.
Inspirational?
Not by a long shot,.
With the help he is receiving he has a lot more going in his favour than others who walked/jogged the event within the allotted start/finish times, and there is no mention of them.
It peeves me no end when his name is touted on the airwaves and newspapers as someone who is inspirational.
Look, I wish him every success in wherever his journey takes him, the bit that annoyed me most has how crossing the line when there was a crowd cheering seemed important, satisfaction that you are going in the right direction comes from within, you shouldn't need back-slapping.
If the adulation is all that matters you're doing it wrong, unless you are right at the leading end, then bask away.
And yeah DQ, rules are rules.

Well ROM, looks like you and me won't be on Darcy's xmas card list. :rolleyes:

Ray is the root cause. Sure Ray has "Run 5K with Ray" where Ray doesn't actually turn up ? Now this guy is doing it the right way it seems http://www.irishcentral.com/news/-Irishman-lost-280lbs-and-goes-from-suicidal-to-marathon-runner-in-just-one-year-175570911.html Not looking for excuses, handouts or constant media attention and started on time.

ger664

JAMM222 wrote: »

I have to completely disagree with this thread, the marathon is for everyone, some people do it to raise money for charity, other people do it for personal reasons but nobody should be discouraged from doing it under any circumstances.

So long as they do within the rules of the race I have no problem with this. However walkers/runners starting outside of the race start time are in the same league as runners without numbers and they should have been pulled off the course at mile 26. Regardless of who they are.

walshb

Anything over 6 hrs and there should be a cut off.

Slogger Jogger

Not reported widely (unfortunately) but I see Mary Nolan Hickey in her 33rd Dublin Marathon broke 4 hours, in her sixties. Now there is an achievement.

ThePiedPiper

Why is the marathon for everyone? It's a tough event, a very long distance. If my grandaunt who is 97 years old and probably as fit as your average 70 year old decided she wanted to do the marathon, I can't imagine her family would encourage it. On medical grounds alone, any event where you spend 5-8 hours outdoors in cold conditions, especially if you have any sort of underlying medical issues, is a serious risk to your health. And I really don't mean this to be offensive, but most people taking more than 8 hours to walk a marathon probably have some health issues due to weight or whatever.

Before anyone accuses me of age discrimination, I'll point out that I encouraged my mother to run her last two marathons after the age of 65, and she finished both of these in 4:28-4:32, properly trained and prepared. And I also encouraged my father, 70 at the time, to walk a half-marathon, which he did in 3 hours 14. Properly trained and prepared. A lot of the walkers in Dublin were putting undue stress on their bodies.

Oryx

JAMM222 wrote: »

I have to completely disagree with this thread, the marathon is for everyone, some people do it to raise money for charity, other people do it for personal reasons but nobody should be discouraged from doing it under any circumstances.

No, the marathon is for those able to complete it within the allotted time. If you can't do that then wait until you are physically ready. I'm not trying to discourage anyone but rules should apply to everyone. I have a friend who walks it but she trains and she speed walks it.

Gary gets mentioned here a lot. I applaud his ambition but honest to god the papers annoy me. To me it's like they see him as newsworthy in a 'ooh look, it's a fat man doing a marathon' way and I dislike that intensely.

Pisco Sour

Oryx wrote: »

Gary gets mentioned here a lot. I applaud his ambition but honest to god the papers annoy me. To me it's like they see him as newsworthy in a 'ooh look, it's a fat man doing a marathon' way and I dislike that intensely.

I don't to be honest. He's just milking it at the moment. You'd have to question his motives at this stage! Lose the weight privately like anyone else. Being 42 stone is nothing to be shouting about!

jebuz

I seriously started questioning his motives when I saw the "sponsor a kilometre for €100" on his website, you want us to pay for your equipment and race entries?

I agree with the general consensus above, fair play to him for doing something about his weight issue but absolutely no need for the publicity or hype. Look at the guys putting in 100 miles a week, making incredible sacrifices and pushing their bodies to the limit, how is that different?

Everybody who has done the marathon has put as much effort into their journey, they have their own stories and the majority have built up their fitness through baby steps from smaller events and waited until they were ready for the big one. This guy, though commendable, is not ready to do a marathon and I don't see how the rules shouldn't apply because of his publicity.

ncmc

JAMM222 wrote: »

I have to completely disagree with this thread, the marathon is for everyone, some people do it to raise money for charity, other people do it for personal reasons but nobody should be discouraged from doing it under any circumstances.

And I have to totally disagree with this, why should marathons be for everyone? Are triathlons for everyone? I can’t swim, should I be allowed to enter a triathlon and maybe put someone else at risk due to my needing medical intervention or inability to complete the course in the allotted time?

I don’t think anyone is looking down on those who can’t run a marathon, I ran my first on Monday, like a lot of others, I started with the couch to 5k and in February this year, slowly started to increase my distance until I could follow a proper training plan. I was in wave two and the crowds were unreal, I was slowed down several times by walkers sauntering along who should have started at the back of wave 3. That’s not being dismissive of them, but I resent them taking up half the road and slowing down the runners who have trained hard all year long.

I have respect for people that complete a marathon, and the Dublin course is open long enough to facilitate walkers of a moderate ability, but anyone who is taking 8 and ½ hours should not be walking a marathon distance, they are obviously not physically fit enough to complete the distance. Gary was on Ray D’arcy yesterday and apparently he was green and looked fit to drop while out on the course, that can’t be good for someone of his size. Look at the amount of people who have trained properly and still need medical assistance or dnf. The marathon is a distance to be respected, not entered on a whim.

With regarding to Gary specifically, his weight has obviously plateaued. As Raycun says, there is obviously something seriously wrong with his diet or training plan. I respect him for losing the weight, but I don’t consider him inspirational. He had had every possible support and professional help and has been touted as some sort of celebrity. I find the stories on this thread of 60 and 70 year olds going out for no fame or glory and completing their first marathon in times that people 30 years younger would be proud of!

Munstermissy wrote: »

I say fair play to him, he got around which is the main thing and finished.

I am a total beginner and can only dream of completing a 10k, never mind even walking a maraton distance. Going on the comments above, I get the impression that the seasoned runners tend to look down their noses at the beginners/strugglers and from personal experience from races I have took part in my local area over the summer. I was probably paddy last in one of them but at least I got around and was proud of that myself.

Please spare a though for us lowly beginners:-)

Munstermissy, please don’t feel that way. I was a total beginner last year too, my training was intermittent at best and 4 miles was the very peak of my ability. It’s thanks to Boards and the help and support I received on the Mentored Novice marathon thread that got me to the start line, and the finish line in a respectable time. A lot of the seasoned runners on here (including Raycun) post on that thread and there is certainly no looking down the nose at anyone. In fact no question or worry is too stupid to ask! I think all the seasoned runners ask, is that everyone obeys the rules of the race and respects the difficult challenge it is.

kit3

Munstermissy wrote: »

I say fair play to him, he got around which is the main thing and finished.

I am a total beginner and can only dream of completing a 10k, never mind even walking a maraton distance. Going on the comments above, I get the impression that the seasoned runners tend to look down their noses at the beginners/strugglers and from personal experience from races I have took part in my local area over the summer. I was probably paddy last in one of them but at least I got around and was proud of that myself.

Please spare a though for us lowly beginners:-)

MM - read through the forum and you will see that there is major support and advice here for people of all abilities - and from people of all experience and abilities. Stick around and you'll see. As someone who started out 3.5 years ago at the age of 41 I find it invaluable. Thanks to everyone on here !

UCDVet

I can understand why people are against it - but I think it's a good thing.

A low barrier to entry will help get people motivated about running. It'll mean more people coming out for the event and more people who are going to keep running after it. Lots of benefits for everyone involved.

It might feel like it 'cheapens' what it means to say 'I completed a marathon', in some sense....but I think it will give more people a better appreciation for what it means to run a 2, 3, 4, whatever hour, marathon.

JAMM222

I completed my first marathon on Monday in a time of 6:25. I did it for crumlin as they saved my niece's life. Myself my dad and my brother in law crossed the finish line with her in our arms. We raised almost €7000 for Crumlin that's why we did it. Everyone has their own reasons for doing it and charity is usually a massive part of it. I think it's it absolutely disgraceful the snobbery from some people on this thread. The chap that did it to loose weight has motivated plenty of other people to make an effort which can only be a good thing.

Oryx

UCDVet wrote: »

I can understand why people are against it - but I think it's a good thing.

A low barrier to entry will help get people motivated about running. It'll mean more people coming out for the event and more people who are going to keep running after it. Lots of benefits for everyone involved.

It might feel like it 'cheapens' what it means to say 'I completed a marathon', in some sense....but I think it will give more people a better appreciation for what it means to run a 2, 3, 4, whatever hour, marathon.

Except it doesn't. When I started running I had no concept, none, of how much harder distances are as you extend them, or how hard it is to bring down your race times. That knowledge comes with experience.

And in my opinion those who do a very slow marathon and are content with that are picking an easy target. Its actually not a hard thing to attain. I'm not being elitist saying that. It's easier to walk a slow marathon than to run a shorter race.

Slogger Jogger

JAMM222 wrote: »

I completed my first marathon on Monday in a time of 6:25. I did it for crumlin as they saved my niece's life. Myself my dad and my brother in law crossed the finish line with her in our arms. We raised almost €7000 for Crumlin that's why we did it. Everyone has their own reasons for doing it and charity is usually a massive part of it. I think it's it absolutely disgraceful the snobbery from some people on this thread. The chap that did it to loose weight has motivated plenty of other people to make an effort which can only be a good thing.

Great credit to you and your relatives. Fantastic achievement. And a very worth cause Crumlin is as I know from visiting with my own kids.

I applaud that guys efforts to improve himself. If he has motivated others to get off the couch and better themselves thats obviously a good thing. However, when people sign up to do an event they should do it within the rules of the event and start at the appropriate time.

nerraw1111

Can we leave the knee jerk accusations of snobbery at the door?

It's a thread about the marathon and the quality of the participants. It's not about charity or inspiring others.

Plenty of marathons have a cut off point and require people to run the full distance. People are discussing whether this should be done at Dublin.

It's a sport. Same way people discuss the standard of other sports.

Pretty sure there was a bit of a reaction in the 80s when walkers were first allowed. Similarly, people are questioning the wisdom of allowing people to start a marathon before the marathon actually starts and where that's going to lead.

Kurt Godel

(Sick to the back teeth of meddling with this forum but...)

There needs to be a "jogging" or "achievement" forum separate from "Running". There's a world of difference between the fat bast*rd who conspires to woddle around the course looking for applause, and the fat bast*rd who does something about his weight and then starts improving his athletic ability. The latter is inspirational, the former (as evidenced by obese idiots breaking the rules in order to gain maximum limelight with minimal effort) are a f*cking joke, and should have no place here.