The countdown to the next London Marathon has begun. Applications are now being accepted for the ballot on the London Marathon site. As before, applications will be affected by the category to which you hope to apply.
There are several categories of runner. Most runners will apply to the ballot, giving them a 1 in 5 chance of being accepted to run. Some will apply through charities or running clubs. Meanwhile especially capable runners can apply through the 'Good for age' entry process - they will be offered a place if they have a recorded race time a within a pre-determined value.
Tuesday 26 April 2011
Saturday 16 April 2011
Buster Martin, world's oldest London Marathon runner dies at 104
Sad news. I read that Buster Martin, arguably the oldest person to run the London Marathon, passed away this week, on April 13. He was 104 years old.
Pierre Jean 'Buster' Martin was, by my understanding quite a character. He led an eventful life, but was best known for having run the London Marathon at the age of 101 in 2008.
Buster had become a minor celebrity over his many years. Despite repeated allegations that his life story, including his age, was fabricated, he was highly respected in many circles. Being Britain's most senior employee, he was celebrated by the media. Politicians also admired him. Former Liberal party leader Menzies Campbell said that Buster was "living proof of why people should not be written off once they pass retirement age".
A former Brixton barrow boy, Martin gained celebrity in 2007, when at the alleged age of 100, he joined men’s magazine FHM as an agony uncle. With his unkempt Captain Birds Eye beard and wry humour made him a valued addition to the magazine. He also found fame with The Zimmers, a 40-strong group of elderly rockers who had a hit with a cover of The Who’s My Generation. He then gained further attention when he finished the 10km Great London Run in 2hrs 22mins, and once more hit the news when he was reported to have single-handedly beaten off a gang of three teenage muggers.
More than anything, Buster will alwas be remembered for his London Marathon run in 2008. During the winter of 2007 he could be found staggering around Docklands in his blue tracksuit, a familiar sight that attracted many supporters who made donations to his charity, the Rhys Daniels Trust. He complete the race in just over 10 hours, a magnificent effort, raising thousands for charity.
The marathon effort was somewhat marred by the controversy over Buster's age. There is conflicting evidence about how old he was at the time - 101 or 94. Because of this he was never included in the Guinness Book of Records.
As far as I'm concerned the age debacle is irrelevant. To finish a marathon at 94 is pretty amazing by anyone's standard. And it sounds like the world lost a great character too. RIP Buster.
Pierre Jean 'Buster' Martin was, by my understanding quite a character. He led an eventful life, but was best known for having run the London Marathon at the age of 101 in 2008.
Buster had become a minor celebrity over his many years. Despite repeated allegations that his life story, including his age, was fabricated, he was highly respected in many circles. Being Britain's most senior employee, he was celebrated by the media. Politicians also admired him. Former Liberal party leader Menzies Campbell said that Buster was "living proof of why people should not be written off once they pass retirement age".
A former Brixton barrow boy, Martin gained celebrity in 2007, when at the alleged age of 100, he joined men’s magazine FHM as an agony uncle. With his unkempt Captain Birds Eye beard and wry humour made him a valued addition to the magazine. He also found fame with The Zimmers, a 40-strong group of elderly rockers who had a hit with a cover of The Who’s My Generation. He then gained further attention when he finished the 10km Great London Run in 2hrs 22mins, and once more hit the news when he was reported to have single-handedly beaten off a gang of three teenage muggers.
More than anything, Buster will alwas be remembered for his London Marathon run in 2008. During the winter of 2007 he could be found staggering around Docklands in his blue tracksuit, a familiar sight that attracted many supporters who made donations to his charity, the Rhys Daniels Trust. He complete the race in just over 10 hours, a magnificent effort, raising thousands for charity.
The marathon effort was somewhat marred by the controversy over Buster's age. There is conflicting evidence about how old he was at the time - 101 or 94. Because of this he was never included in the Guinness Book of Records.
As far as I'm concerned the age debacle is irrelevant. To finish a marathon at 94 is pretty amazing by anyone's standard. And it sounds like the world lost a great character too. RIP Buster.
Wednesday 13 April 2011
Marathon Training on hold again
I thought I could get back into training for some runs this summer. Alas this isn't going to happen.
As I said in my previous post, I managed a short run round the local park and nearby streets. It seemed to go well at the time. However, that same day I started noticing twinges in my achiles, telling me that I wasn't fully recovered yet. It's so frustrating, but I think I may have to sit out the summer and rest my injury a bit longer. To put it politely, it's most frustrating.
I'm going to miss some good races this summer. There's the Regents Park 1ok, Clapham Common 10 Series and Great Scottish Run to name but a few. Then there's the Royal Parks Half Marathon in October which my girlfriend Beth is running. I'm sooooo envious.
Oh well, I guess I'll just have to takke it easy for a bit longer.
As I said in my previous post, I managed a short run round the local park and nearby streets. It seemed to go well at the time. However, that same day I started noticing twinges in my achiles, telling me that I wasn't fully recovered yet. It's so frustrating, but I think I may have to sit out the summer and rest my injury a bit longer. To put it politely, it's most frustrating.
I'm going to miss some good races this summer. There's the Regents Park 1ok, Clapham Common 10 Series and Great Scottish Run to name but a few. Then there's the Royal Parks Half Marathon in October which my girlfriend Beth is running. I'm sooooo envious.
Oh well, I guess I'll just have to takke it easy for a bit longer.
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