Just wondering.. Has anyone ever done this? Anyone entered the ballot for next year?

I haven't, but I would love to do it one year...

Maybe you should enter the ballot then

Far to many other runners for me to enjoy it.

I entered the ballot one year but didn't get a place. That was about 15 years ago and although I would still love to do it, I have no time to train - 3 kids, work full-time, etc

I run a bath occasionally.

That's my kind of exercise!

I also jump queues

A friend of mine entered the ballot for this year's marathon and won a place. Unfortunately, the letter informing him of this got lost in the post, and the first he knew of it was about four weeks before when he received the letter advising him of the final arrangements. He decided that he couldn't get marathon fit in the time available, so has deferred, and is therefore guaranteed a place.

I'm looking forward to seeing him in his shorts and mopping his brow afterwards

I appear to have entered myself in the ballot for 2010's London Marathon...

Chill. You probably won't get in

...but I might get in...

...and before anyone asks, I shall wear a T-shirt and shorts. I will NOT wear a silly costume...

Which charity would you run for, Barry? I bet you could get a lot of sponsorship from the forums.

Probably a stroke related charity BM.

There is I believe about a 1 in 5 chance of success in the ballot, I'll keep my fingers crossed...

Good luck, b-c!

I didn't know you were a runner.

Thanks mel2! 'Runner' I think is stretching it a bit , but I have done 10K runs before, and I think nothing of brisk walks from the centre of London out to, say, North Greenwich along the Thames Path. I enjoy a bit of a leisurely jog too...

Not even if between us all we managed to make you a clarinet costume???

I did it in 2006 - never again!!!!

I wanted to do it though, and am glad I did, but it hurt. By the end, I could hardly lift my legs over the speed bumps!! Also, I found the long Sunday morning training runs boring.

I ran for the British Heart Foundation (my dad died quite young from a heart attack), and raised £1400. Although I didn't dress up, I did wear a Mohican wig and got my name printed on my vest. It was nice to get comments from the crowd as I was running round.

I stick mainly to 10ks these days, with the occasional 10m and half marathon.

Very sweet sentiment Maizie, but...er...no!



Well done Nick!

I can't imagine how hard it must be ro run any distance in a big costume

I can just about run around my back garden, does that count?

Seriously though, I believe if you keep your rejection slips and apply every year after so many years (either 3 or 5) you are guaranteed a place.

I was quite impressed with myself on Sunday though - I am a country bumpkin through and through, and I actually drove across London (which I've never done before, always get the train) to get to the Barbican to see Lang Lang, and the only evidence that there was a marathon on that we saw was 3 people in orange wigs.

Yep - if you get rejected for 5 consecutive years you're guaranteed a place

*makes note, but still hopes he's accepted for 2010*

My sister in law wants my brother to do it, so my sister has entered herself and our brother into the ballot. Fingers crossed.

He would love to do it, so it would be fun if he gets in.

I kind of... just...er... entered the 2010 ballot.

It was only a slip of the finger that made me send that link to you

Well done : let's hope that 'team ABRSM forum' all make it through the ballot!

I used to be a runner many years ago and ran 5 marathons with a best time of 3 hours 2 minutes

Then I ran the London again in 2003 after a 16 year break and ran 3 hrs. 13 mins.

Every year I watch the marathon and wish I was running again.

Maybe I will enter again...

Regards, Peter.

click here

I ran it in 2005 and it was brilliant - but very very hard. The photo is still up on my wall and it makes me feel good everytime I see it.

I only entered because I was a runner who got fed up of having to say no when people asked if I had run the marathon. I'd run and cycled 'mass' events before and found the experience offputting, but London is so well organised it's a really good experience.

Best of Luck Barri. (With both getting a place and doing the run)
If you really want to run it and you don't get a place you can try to get a charity place but you usually need to commit to raising around £2000.

Thanks smd

Didn't get in

Unlucky Barry, still it'll give you an extra year to train for 2011...

Regards, Peter.

If I keep applying 'til 2014, I get an automatic place then...

Oh well, look on the bright side, Barry. You'll have more time for playing instruments, organising/attending forum events, going to concerts...

Better luck next year. I wonder how Miss Ross did in the ballot?

My cousin does marathons and 50 mile runs. Despite his efforts, he has failed to persuade me to take it up

I can walk several miles without issue, but running, ugh! I walked god knows how many scores of miles while backpacking too... mostly because my stupid friend had the navigational skills of a lobotomised baboon.

She's not heard yet...

Bad luck Barry. Don't stop applying - or training

Oh I'm applying 'til 2014 - or until I get in at an earlier year...

I ran (slowly) the London 3 times over 20 years ago, as people have mentioned it was such a great experience, so many people of all standards run it so you are never alone, the crowd were amazing and it was worth the 'pain' afterwards of not being able to walk properly for a couple of days.

As it's entirely on the roads (and cobbles when I did it) you really need to invest in a very good pair of running shoes - and a pot of vaseline !!

I gave up long distance stuff when I had children and now 'my' time is devoted to music. Wouldn't mind running/long distance walking again but would not be happy doing anything half-hearted and there's only so much time in the day

Just put my application in for the 2011 London Marathon, which is on 17th April 2011...

Good luck Barry

Thank you

I'm still putting the training in...

Will pick up your luggage at Piccadilly station in July and let you make your own way then.......

But...but...the London Marathon course is largely flat...

It's only the last bit that's uphill.

Cheers

Any other forumites entering for 2011?

Only a month 'til I know if I'm in. I want to be in...

If you don't get in you can always apply to run for a charity and it's fairly easy to get a place this way. There is a minimum amount you need to raise for them though-it's around £1500 which is easier to raise than you think

That's true . If I don't get in, I might see if I can set up a justgiving site. The only slight concern I have is the charity I want to run for isn't one of the mainstream ones (and before people ask, no, my charity isn't the barry-clari fund for the purchase of new instruments )