Virgin London Marathon 2011

[marathondan]

Well whaddya know, I got a ballot place. At only the 5th (non-consecutive) time of trying, I guess that makes me one of the lucky ones.

A shame I don't actually want the place. Assuming I wouldn't get in, I've already paid for a place at Brighton (the week before London), chosen a charity and come up with a fancy dress plan, with quite some personal attachment. Of course it would be quite special to run London in the Olympic year, and I was already assured of a place in 2012 under the 5 year rule.

So I guess the obvious plan is to defer until next year. Has anyone ever done this? Is it strictly on the basis of injury or illness, or is it basically no questions asked? It feels slightly churlish to not take up the offer. Then again maybe I'm ascribing too much greatness to the VLM organisation.

And yes, two marathons in a week would be a worthy charity challenge. But I know how long it takes me to recover from one, and I think at my level I would seriously risk injury.

[Seafront Plodder]

It's no questions asked Dan, or at least it was when I deferred.

Gives you a goal in Olympic year though.

[Bierzo Baggie]

Aren't you just a little bit tempted to run both of them?

Sorry, shouldn't have asked...

[marathondan]

Aren't you just a little bit tempted to run both of them?

Get thee behind me, Satan!

Yes, it would provide a great challenge. I do think there would be a significant risk of injury / crawling home in 6 hours for the second one. Trouble is I've already mentally committed to a crackpot fancy dress scheme for Brighton.

Hang on though! Brighton in fancy dress means a gentle 5 hour race, so I'll be fresh for London a week later...

Nah. I have my limits, both mental and physical.

But if I defer London, there's no reason why I couldn't do the double next year...

[stillwaddler]

I didn't get a place - yet again...6th time of trying, 4th consecutive attempt. Haven't got the energy to do a gold bond place again so will def. be doing Brighton...will I get one for 2012 ? - would be good, I could celelbrate my 60th in style!!!

[marathondan]

So have you missed the cut for the 5-in-a-row rule in 2013? I understand that they are phasing the rule out; I would have qualified for 2012 but I'm not sure if you're still in or not?

[Seafront Plodder]

The local rag here is bigging up the Brighton Marathon, but the fact remains they still don't have a major sponsor for the event.

[stillwaddler]

So have you missed the cut for the 5-in-a-row rule in 2013? I understand that they are phasing the rule out; I would have qualified for 2012 but I'm not sure if you're still in or not?

Well, apparently if you had alredy applied at least twice in succession before 2011 they will honour the agreement....we'll wait and see.

[marathondan]

The local rag here is bigging up the Brighton Marathon, but the fact remains they still don't have a major sponsor for the event.

How much d'ya reckon it costs to put on? Anyone got any idea?

If they can get 10,000 people to pay 50 quid then I'd guess they're quite well on the way to financing it. I think it would be great for the event to be able to carry on at that level, if nothing else to provide a good outlet for all the London rejects. There seems to be a surplus of marathon runners in the South-East.

[El Gordo]

I was also knocked back again. I think that's the 3rd or 4th consecutive. I had a mail a while back saying that I was still eligible for the guaranteed-entry-after-5-rejections rule.

[stillwaddler]

maybe we can meet up in 2012?? time is running out for me, my little legs will be worn down to stumps soon:-) I'm thinking of volunteering for helping out at the Olympics, they will be doing quite a lot of the footie up here.

[marathondan]

What are you doing for accommodation at Brighton this year SW? Avoiding the train this time? I haven't booked yet - not sure if the family are coming this time, or just me.

[stillwaddler]

I booked the Travelodge at Preston Park opposite the start. We stayed in Worthing last year but got caught up in the parking problems at the university and only just made it to the start before the off -- They seem to be sure the parking problems will be ironed out this year but I wasn't willing to risk it.