Well I have now entered 4 times to run the London Marathon and yet again not got in.
Absolutely gutted as this is probably the fittest I've been in ages. Still a long way off from Marathon running but wanted to do it with my daughter.
Do we pay the extra £28 and do the virtual ? It would be our 1st marathon run .
Bit deflated tbh.
I'm with you.
I know so many people that have entered 7/8 times and never got a place, yet I know a few of my friends have been lucky to run 3 or 4 times in a row, bagging a place everytime they enter.
I put my name in the hat genuinely not expecting to get in, but today I'm a bit disappointed to receive the "sorry, but don't give up" email.
Really not sure about the virtual option either. Maybe that's the motivation i need to actually get to 26.1 distance but how can I possibly say I'm part of the London Marathon when I'm running around Plymouth. I could be doing the virtual Manchester Marathon, or NY Marathon or Boston even.
Oh what to do???🤷♂️
Yorkshire in October? I’ll probably do that one again.
There are so many people who repeatedly do London. I think if they have done it once, they should leave it for others to have a go! Seems so unfair.
I don't know why they can't organise it better that if you entered last year and didn't get a place, you could enter this year with your name in the ballot twice. Fail again, then next year your names in three times. Doesn't guarantee you a place, but increases your chances against those who ran the previous year.
Or maybe make it that you can't run two consecutive years?
It is very unfair
No to virtual. Find another one. Yorkshire is in October. Manchester next April hopefully? Edinburgh next May? Definitely do an actual race.
I've never really thought about doing anything other than the London Marathon. It's on my bucket list along with a Triathlon and cycling LEJOG.
With Covid still making things a little uncertain I think I'll knock it on the head this year, and maybe look at some of the others around the UK in 2022. I hear Manchester is supposed to be a good option.
Although only a half, in also quite tempted by the Great North Run. Maybe that'll make up for the missed ballot result
I did read an article on a newsite that sports meeting with thousands of people may not be able to start for at least 3 years, that could include large gatherings such as running events, let us hope that it will be earlier than 3 years.
Ha ha if you can get in the GNR. Also ballot place. I’ll do the GNR since I live 40 minutes away but 70,000 runners sends my anxiety into overdrive. Doesn’t appeal to me in the slightest but it’s one of those runs you have to do once. I’ll do Manchester marathon for definite as it’s flat. Maybe next year.
‘Only a half’.....eh? 🤔.....always an achievement, I reckon, whatever the distance 👍Mx
I did the virtual VLM last year, you did feel as you were part of something special as we had numbers, the app, etc., and got a lot of support locally - passing cyclists, motorists and other runners, and you did feel as though you were part of something different and special, almost as a ‘one off’, apparently all of us that did it are all Guinness world record holders......(for a little while at least.....😂)......however the weather was atrocious.
Would I do virtually it again? Absolutely not.....(this is me personally and not in anyway against virtual runs of any kind) ............it was special to me, given the times we are in and all the circumstances at the time, but I have no wish to repeat it. I completed a marathon, job done......London is the only one I’ve ever wanted to do, i have that medal and t-shirt, (don’t get me started about the fiasco afterwards of getting said bling)...... I’d love to have run around London on THE course, but it’s not to be, (I’ve tried about 4 times - not going to bother anymore) .....
So, yes, if Marathon is your goal, there’s plenty of others out there, nothing wrong with ‘virtual’ , but I’m happy with the one I’ve done, I have no need to do anymore....and I do have an ‘official’ London Marathon result.......I’d also add, that I did have company, and started very early in the morning........personally, I could not have done it alone.....
Mx
I totally get where you're coming from. I think if I had run the virtual last year, knowing it was the only London Martathon event and considering the circumstances we were in, it would have felt special and I'd have loved it. the solidarity of 'we're all doing this together' really would have added to the run.
But to run a virtual alongside the actual inperson event, I'm just not so sure.
I think I'm going to try to rally around some local runners who want to do it. Maybe create some form of informal event where we all start together and run the same course? If thats possible.
Yes, that’s exactly it, I’m sure we got the support going round because the ‘actual’ wasn’t possible and they made a thing of it in the media etc., it seems to me this time - and forgive me if this annoys anyone - but it’s more of a money making exercise.....tagged on the side.....But then who knows if and when ‘proper’ events will really get going again, including VLM.......? So it’s an option.....
Mx
I'm sorry Smiffy. I got an email from Run Through that I will paste here in case any of these races are good for you (I know it's not the same!) plus there is Manchester Marathon around October time and of course as you say the virtual!!
AUGUST
Wimbledon Common Half Marathon - Sunday 1st August
Chase The Sun Olympic Park 5k & 10k - Wednesday 11th August
Clapham Common 5k & 10k - Sunday 15th August
Thorpe & Egham 10k and Half Marathon - Sunday 22nd August
Lee Valley VeloPark Races - Saturday 28th August
Run Dorney 5k, 10k & Half Marathon - Sunday 29th August
SEPTEMBER
On London Half Marathon - Sunday 5th September
Chase The Sun Olympic Park 5k & 10k - Wednesday 8th September
Newbury Racecourse 5k, 10k & Half Marathon - Sunday 12th September
Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park 5k & 10k - Saturday 18th September
Hampton Court Palace Half Marathon - Sunday 19th September
Lee Valley VeloPark Races - Saturday 25th September
Running GP at Goodwood Motor Circuit - Sunday 26th September
OCTOBER
Colchester Stampede Half Marathon - Sunday 10th October
Chase The Moon Olympic Park 5k & 10k - Wednesday 13th October
Run Dorney 5k & 10k - Sunday 24th October
Wimbledon Common Half Marathon - Sunday 31st October
NOVEMBER
Hertfordshire 10k & Half Marathon - Sunday 7th November
Chase The Moon Olympic Park 5k & 10k - Wednesday 10th November
Run Alton Towers 10k & Half Marathon - Sunday 14th November
Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park 5k & 10k - Saturday 20th November
Lee Valley VeloPark Races - Saturday 27th November
Cheers thanks I will have a look 👍
Sorry to hear that. You're in the majority though! I did the virtual last year and it was very special, being my first ever marathon. I really wonder if the real thing will go ahead this year; if it doesn't, that will make the virtual event pretty special again I reckon, with even more chance of bumping into other entrants wherever you run it. Alternatively, as others have said there are many other large marathon options you could try - to be honest your first marathon is going to be very special wherever you do it!
I entered the ballot in the post-run craziness of my second HM which happened to take place on the day of the London Marathon. I didn't get a place but my friend did so I have signed up to the virtual to train with her and if the race doesn't go ahead we can run together. The buzz of the virtual event was lovely here and I would love to experience the real thing but I am completely happy not to be amongst a huge crowd at the moment. I have already lined up a drinks station and cheerleading team outside one friend's house and hope to garner more support along my route. I am still waiting to experience the thrill of a race with other people (I started running in January last year) but solo or pair plodding will have to do for now!
I’m not a fan of lotteries for many of the reasons you’ve mentioned already in this thread. But it I suppose is that much more special if it does go your way eventually. I had one big race last year that was deferred, but I did it anyway on the day with some friends helping and it was such a great experience. No crowd, no bling but good times were had with the other runners that ran that day with me. A solo effort would have been a very different story I am sure. I hope it goes your way next time around!
Final big run of the year 
Is this marathon training plan ok? :)
Not this time (again)!
