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.
Showing posts with label marathon. Show all posts
Showing posts with label marathon. Show all posts
Tuesday, 26 April 2011
Friday, 17 September 2010
Olympic Marathon route to change for London 2012
London 2012 organisers want to alter the planned Olympic marathon route. The plan is to have the finish line on the Mall, similar to the current London Marathon. This a significant, possibly controversial, suggestion breaking with established tradition that the race should finish in the Olympic stadium.
The route change has been suggested to allow easier access for spectators and to showcase London. Organisers worry that spectators will be less inclined to flock to the sections of the race over towards the east end of the city, near the stadium. Similarly, they also don't foresee much TV interest in these 'less touristy' areas. They have proposed a new route. Runners will pass by numerous sites of interest, finally reaching the finish line at the Mall near Buckingham Palace. However not everyone is pleased.
Local officials from Newham, the Olympic host borough, have expressed their disppointment. They are strongly of the opinion that the Olympic Marathon should finish in the Olympic Stadium.
Paul Brickell, the council's executive member for the olympics said "We are disappointed London 2012 organisers are considering moving the marathon finish to the Mall, rather than the olympic stadium in Stratford".
The council is proposing a compromise that can take in the sites of central London while retaining the original promise to finish in the olympic stadium. That sounds pretty fair to me.
The route change has been suggested to allow easier access for spectators and to showcase London. Organisers worry that spectators will be less inclined to flock to the sections of the race over towards the east end of the city, near the stadium. Similarly, they also don't foresee much TV interest in these 'less touristy' areas. They have proposed a new route. Runners will pass by numerous sites of interest, finally reaching the finish line at the Mall near Buckingham Palace. However not everyone is pleased.
Local officials from Newham, the Olympic host borough, have expressed their disppointment. They are strongly of the opinion that the Olympic Marathon should finish in the Olympic Stadium.
Paul Brickell, the council's executive member for the olympics said "We are disappointed London 2012 organisers are considering moving the marathon finish to the Mall, rather than the olympic stadium in Stratford".
The council is proposing a compromise that can take in the sites of central London while retaining the original promise to finish in the olympic stadium. That sounds pretty fair to me.
Tuesday, 27 April 2010
London Marathon Result
Hours upon hours of training, and hundred of miles of footwork, all came to a climax on Sunday. Yes, it was the London Marathon.
Despite London Underground's best efforts (the Northern line was closed) I made it to Blackheath without any bother. After some warming up, during which the elite women set off, I headed for the start line.
This time round I was at the Blue start. Last time, in 2001, I was at the Red zone. I'm not quite sure what the difference is, but my suspicion is that the Blue zone is for faster runners. Anyway, off we went.
Well, off we went for about 400m. Then, dead-stop. What the blinking flip!!!? I couldn't believe it! After all the organisation that goes into the race, and we still have to suffer a bottleneck so close to the start! PB chance? Slipping away... Luckily it all fixed itself and we were off in earnest.
The first two or three miles are always the quietest, but that doesn't last. It wasn't long before we hit the crowds. Then it was constant cheering and encouragement. This was what I remembered from my previous London Marathon, and this year's crowd was every bit as encouraging as before.
The fantastic atmosphere didn't end. From the east end pubs (The Albion, Rose of Denmark, etc), past the Gypsy Moth in Greenwich, over Tower Bridge, through Canary Wharf and onto Embankment, at last leading onto Birdcage Walk and past Buckingham Palace to the finish line, the crowds were amazing. Like many, I was a wreck at the end, but the atmosphere kept me going.
My plan of beating 4 hours fell apart at about the 20 mile stage. My legs started giving up on me, my knees in particular. My training wasn't what it should have been. I didn't do enough long runs, and I suffered for it.
The end result was i finished with a time of 4 hours 23 minutes. I've still to beat 4 hours, but the day was great fun. Perhaps I'll try another marathon later this year. With that in mind, I went to the pub:-))
Despite London Underground's best efforts (the Northern line was closed) I made it to Blackheath without any bother. After some warming up, during which the elite women set off, I headed for the start line.
This time round I was at the Blue start. Last time, in 2001, I was at the Red zone. I'm not quite sure what the difference is, but my suspicion is that the Blue zone is for faster runners. Anyway, off we went.
Well, off we went for about 400m. Then, dead-stop. What the blinking flip!!!? I couldn't believe it! After all the organisation that goes into the race, and we still have to suffer a bottleneck so close to the start! PB chance? Slipping away... Luckily it all fixed itself and we were off in earnest.
The first two or three miles are always the quietest, but that doesn't last. It wasn't long before we hit the crowds. Then it was constant cheering and encouragement. This was what I remembered from my previous London Marathon, and this year's crowd was every bit as encouraging as before.
The fantastic atmosphere didn't end. From the east end pubs (The Albion, Rose of Denmark, etc), past the Gypsy Moth in Greenwich, over Tower Bridge, through Canary Wharf and onto Embankment, at last leading onto Birdcage Walk and past Buckingham Palace to the finish line, the crowds were amazing. Like many, I was a wreck at the end, but the atmosphere kept me going.
My plan of beating 4 hours fell apart at about the 20 mile stage. My legs started giving up on me, my knees in particular. My training wasn't what it should have been. I didn't do enough long runs, and I suffered for it.
The end result was i finished with a time of 4 hours 23 minutes. I've still to beat 4 hours, but the day was great fun. Perhaps I'll try another marathon later this year. With that in mind, I went to the pub:-))
Monday, 19 April 2010
London Marathon countdown
It's less that 6 days to go now. Come this Sunday I'll be doing my second marathon tour of London. As ever, I'm feeling that odd mix of dread and anticipation - dreading the pain, but anticipating the amazing atmosphere and the buzz of achievement.
This will be my 10th marathon. My first was the 2001 London Marathon. Since then I've run marathons in Edinburgh, Atlanta, Vilnius and Athens. All these have been great fun. However, nothing has been quite as invigorating or memorable as running 26.2 miles in London. So, this will be a much anticipated return to where it all started.
This will be my 10th marathon. My first was the 2001 London Marathon. Since then I've run marathons in Edinburgh, Atlanta, Vilnius and Athens. All these have been great fun. However, nothing has been quite as invigorating or memorable as running 26.2 miles in London. So, this will be a much anticipated return to where it all started.
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