The London Marathon.

[Chippy_Tea]

Has it had its day and become an inconvenience, reports today are saying the slower runners (walkers) were verbally abused by staff and one on radio 5 live was hit by a clean up truck as it followed them closely cleaning up the roads, a resident also said its an inconvenience as they block all the roads so you cannot go anywhere until the race is finished.

One report of many -




Jack Glenny, 24, who ran Sunday's race with his twin brother Joe in aid of the Cystic Fibrosis Trust, said that one of the 'proudest moments of his life' was ruined by nasty comments and mismanagement that made him feel like a 'nuisance'.

The billings account manager, who competed the race in just over seven hours and raised £6,000, said: 'We felt extremely let down by the organisation, we were forced to move out of the way for a marshal van, workers were taking down barriers and posters the whole time.

'We were berated and told "run, fat boy run" and then when we crossed the line, after having to move for some workers taking down the scaffolding, I overheard an official saying "these lot should have left at 6am, the f****** amount of time it's taken them to run this!"

Some runners also reported being hit by chemical spray used by cleaning teams to remove temporary road markings - with at least one participant apparently receiving burns.

This year marked the first time that the London Marathon used official pacers for finishing times slower than six hours, meaning that slower runners were kept on track by a pace-setter.

https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/ar...buse-slower-runners-cleaners-branded-FAT.html

 

[Slid]

I did the London in 1992 and was devastated by my dreadful performance at 2:53. The idea that a marathon race is completed in three times that time is a joke. A four and a half hour cut off is entirely reasonable. No need to close the roads for people who are basically just walking it. Running a marathon is a personal challenge and the take-over by so called "charities" is the main reason I regard the London Marathon as a pathetic disgrace. "No entry unless you can pledge £x". What a joke.

 

[Minimag1]

Agree somewhat with the above, I did the New York Marathon a few years back, but got quite bad shin splints about 5 weeks before the marathon, which severely limited my training. I still completed (much slower than I had hoped), but did it under 5 hours. I would have been annoyed not to allow to run because of a slow time, but 7.5 hours and walking pace is taking the piss a bit

 

[Chippy_Tea]

It seems the race is now less important and its more about the charity runners/walkers how many people would watch if it was just a bunch of elite athletes trying to win and beat the record time, maybe they should have a shorter course for the charity runners/walkers.

 

[TheBigWoo]

I've run it the three years previous to this and to be honest I've always thought that the slower runners perform a far greater feat of endurance than I do. I can't imagine being on my feet for 6 or 7 hours. From my perspective as a club runner I've found the whole event to be brilliantly organised. And remember running keeps the beer belly at bay. No more drink for me until Sunday though... Belfast marathon this Sunday!

 

[Leon103]

The report I read indicated that there was about 1000 in the 6.5 hour plus groups, out of 40000 odd isn't that much really. Surely they are told the cut of times etc. Every event I have done as advertised the cut off/broom wagon times

 

[Clint]

Couldn't run one but I could eat a few...

 

[Chippy_Tea]

I cannot remember the last time I ran for anything.

 

[Druncan]

I've been running since the Great North Run 1981. Blaydon Harrier member, orienteer. Then Fell running, two day mountain marathons and ultra marathons. Still running with my buddy (lurcher dog) Even with knackered hip joints nothing is so satisfying or clears my head better. Kitesurfing is my other sport though.. My biggest mistake was stopping ultra running. My last 35m Ultra 2017 took me 8hrs 30mins. With my team here we have raised about £4,000 for charities in memory of friends I miss. There is so much bad *hit in the world, running and competing is a natural human instinct at whatever level you do it at. I respect them that do it as the hardest step is the first, then one foot in front of the other, repeat.

 

[Graz]

I don't think it's had its day by any stretch of the imagination. It's one of the most prestigious marathon events in the world and hugely over subscribed year on year. As for the residents, it's London FFS, you can't move about easily anyway so one day of having the centre closed off to traffic (on a Sunday) is hardly an inconvenience.

There will be a backlash resulting from the abuse of the slow runners, the organisers need to allow for this if they want it to be an event accessible to all and therefore delay the clean up operation a bit as well as schooling their marshals / officials in being a bit more tactful. For some even walking 26.2 miles is a real achievement at a least they've got of their backsides to do that which is more than can be said about some of the populous.

Off the back of running my first half marathon in Stratford-Upon-Avon last weekend I entered the ballot for next year's London marathon. Don't suppose I'll get a place but it would be a honour to run it and if I did get in I'd be raising as much money as I could for Cancer Research in honour of my Dad and my sister-in-laws partner. Would hope to get round it in under 5 hours!

Stratford was lovely, good crowd to run with and a lot of the local residents were out the front of their houses on route giving out sweets etc.

 

[samale]

I did the London in 1992 and was devastated by my dreadful performance at 2:53. The idea that a marathon race is completed in three times that time is a joke. A four and a half hour cut off is entirely reasonable. No need to close the roads for people who are basically just walking it. Running a marathon is a personal challenge and the take-over by so called "charities" is the main reason I regard the London Marathon as a pathetic disgrace. "No entry unless you can pledge £x". What a joke.

If your running a sub 3hr marathon your well above the average runner, all runners deserve a bit of respect regardless. Some of them so called slower runners put a lot of effort in. Completing a marathon is a great achievement.

 

[Gunge]

I cannot remember the last time I ran for anything.

I can.... was around 1986 when I ran in a wobbly line from the boozer to the chip oyl before they shut. Wasn't in London tho'.

 

[ElvisIsBeer]

s'nickers to all that

 

[MrRook]

Couldn't run one but I could eat a few...

I get winded driving 26 miles.

 

[Richie_asg1]

I applaud anyone who can do this. I look odd just walking quickly.