Marathon entry through tour operator

gearoidol

im thinking of trying London marathon 2015,i missed the ballot and was wondering does anyone have any experience or feedback with using a tour operator package with guaranteed entries?

Is there any downside barring the extra cost ?

menoscemo

I had very positive experiences of going through a tour company to Boston this year (I already had my own entry, just used them for flights and accomodation). TBH I couldn't have found my own flights/hotels any cheaper. And there was a great sense of cameraderie among the group and I would do so again if travelling to a transatlantic marathon. That said getting to/from London for the marathon is very cheap from Dublin so unless the prices of the tour company are very competitive it would not be worth it IMO.

The only downside for the guys who got their entry through the tour company for Boston it that they were put in the vary back wave so those chasing a decent time had no chance. I am not sure how this would work for London though as there are very few qualifiers so you might get a better starting position.

gearoidol

menoscemo wrote: »

I had very positive experiences of going through a tour company to Boston this year (I already had my own entry, just used them for flights and accomodation). TBH I couldn't have found my own flights/hotels any cheaper. And there was a great sense of cameraderie among the group and I would do so again if travelling to a transatlantic marathon. That said getting to/from London for the marathon is very cheap from Dublin so unless the prices of the tour company are very competitive it would not be worth it IMO.

The only downside for the guys who got their entry through the tour company for Boston it that they were put in the vary back wave so those chasing a decent time had no chance. I am not sure how this would work for London though as there are very few qualifiers so you might get a better starting position.

thanks for the reply,
I would be worried about starting position alright as I would be trying to break sub 3

BeepBeep67

I don't believe London do tour operator places, only GFA, Championship, ballot and charity but I stand to be corrected.

slingerz

i reckon a charity spot is your best bet really at this point

menoscemo

BeepBeep67 wrote: »

I don't believe London do tour operator places, only GFA, Championship, ballot and charity but I stand to be corrected.

No, the guys who I travelled to Boston with certainly do London marthon tours with guaranteed entries.

Cabaal

menoscemo wrote: »

No, the guys who I travelled to Boston with certainly do London marthon tours with guaranteed entries.

was it this crowd?
http://sportstravelinternational.com/

gearoidol

Cabaal wrote: »

was it this crowd?
http://sportstravelinternational.com/

Yes I believe they are the company who do tours including guaranteed entry

menoscemo

Cabaal wrote: »

was it this crowd?
http://sportstravelinternational.com/

yes

Hard Worker

menoscemo wrote: »

The only downside for the guys who got their entry through the tour company for Boston it that they were put in the vary back wave so those chasing a decent time had no chance. I am not sure how this would work for London though as there are very few qualifiers so you might get a better starting position.

Boston would've changed your start for you if you had good evidence of your pb's. Unless things were unusual this year with the added numbers in the race.

menoscemo

Hard Worker wrote: »

Boston would've changed your start for you if you had good evidence of your pb's. Unless things were unusual this year with the added numbers in the race.

As I say I was lucky and had my own entry in wave 1 so it made no odds to me...just one or two of the lads in wave 4 corral 9 didn't seem know about that though.....good to know all the same.

PVincent

Sportstravel are excellent. You can get a London spot with them but you will need to get in touch with them to register your interest as it sells very quick and they only get a small number of places. They also coordinate all the Charity places as well. I have been abroad 4 times with them and they do a great job to get you there, look after you at the marathon , and get you home. Martin Joyce and his wife Colette are very professional, they understand runners and their needs , so you will have no issues with them. No one else in Ireland gets guaranteed places in the big marathons. Hope this helps

menoscemo

PVincent wrote: »

Sportstravel are excellent. You can get a London spot with them but you will need to get in touch with them to register your interest as it sells very quick and they only get a small number of places. They also coordinate all the Charity places as well. I have been abroad 4 times with them and they do a great job to get you there, look after you at the marathon , and get you home. Martin Joyce and his wife Colette are very professional, they understand runners and their needs , so you will have no issues with them. No one else in Ireland gets guaranteed places in the big marathons. Hope this helps

+1

robinph

There are definitely tour operators doing London as anyone who was in the Strand Palace will have noticed the large number of French people staying there as part of a package.

opus

menoscemo wrote: »

+1

I had a good experience going to the Berlin marathon with them in '10 as well.

Boston is in my plans for next year, already have a qualifier so will probably use them for the trip based on your good experience this year.

average_runner

Cabaal wrote: »

was it this crowd?
http://sportstravelinternational.com/

Travelled with this crowd to ny last year. Very professional and top class

RubyK

average_runner wrote: »

Travelled with this crowd to ny last year. Very professional and top class

About how much is the London package? Could be an option for a friend of mine.

yaboya1

RubyK wrote: »

About how much is the London package? Could be an option for a friend of mine.

About €1,000 for the lot I think (flights, accommodation, race entry etc)

RubyK

yaboya1 wrote: »

About €1,000 for the lot I think (flights, accommodation, race entry etc)

Thanks for the info yaboya1

gearoidol

thanks for all the info here and on pm, sounds like a great company ,hopefully all going well will be using them next april

Hard Worker

opus wrote: »

I had a good experience going to the Berlin marathon with them in '10 as well.

Boston is in my plans for next year, already have a qualifier so will probably use them for the trip based on your good experience this year.

I have been tour guide in Boston for this company on five occasions, including last year when the bombing happened. I couldn't make it this year with them as I was otherwise engaged.
However, I hope to be back with them in Boston next year. It's a fantastic marathon in a great city.