I paid and didn't get in. But then it was my first attempt ever and I did get a 'failed' jacket (as I call it).
What has surprised me is how many apply and how many have applied for many, many years without getting in. Add to this I know some people who have got in 3 years in a row. Does seem a little unfair in that respect.
Ive been trying to get a ballot place since 2004, I always bequeath, and I have never managed to get in via the ballot same again this year......... maybe I am just unlucky!
Mr A - I think your standpoint is pretty weak here to be honest and you know it. I think you're buying time to try to come up with a better argument. Fair play but it's a bit transparent
My advice to Clive, Katie and others is don't bequeath - at least then, if you never get a place, you've never paid anything.
I can't see the point in the merchandise........people always ask you did you do the marathon if you wear it....and you have to lamely answer.no I didn't.I got this as a consolation prize because i didn't get in
Surely if the organisers were as conniving and money grabbing as the OP suggests, they would increase the entry fee? The London Marathon is as cheap as chips compared to the other world majors and I'm sure even if they quadrupled the fee, it would still be over subscribed.
My theory for what it's worth is that those who pay up front are often the most desperate to get in and are hence the most vocal about it when they don't. In comparison there are quite a few who enter without paying up front who aren't as bothered so perhaps don't complain quite so vocally when they don't get a place.
For the record, I entered once (didn't bequeath) and got it. My sister entered once (didn't bequeath) and got in. My dad didn't want to risk his chances with the ballot so just did a quick marathon elsewhere to get a championship place
so the biggest issue is the 90000 people who apply but dont get in. as everyone accepted is happy clappy
how about introducing wave starts and having everyone in and effectively making the start over a couple of hours. sure it would keep the roads closed longer but everyone would get in.
But will we then get people moaning the race had too many in and was too congested?
Dean: maybe because the Mall can still only hold so many baggage lorries, so many goody bags, so many people with medals? Tubes and trains would be congested all day? Hotels only have so many rooms?
Same old, same old. It has been like this since the mid 1990's. I have jacket from when I donated the money and did not get a place in the extra ballot years ago.
As everyone points out it is massively popular and many people will be disappointed. Try your luck at the lottery, probably got the same chance of winning.
I thought it was a scam when I tried to enter the ballot last year and couldn't get past the 'are you SURE you don't want to donate your entry fee?' page. I was sure, though, so didn't end up entering.
undercuts PP: 250 + tight shorts (slightly less salubrious GFA place), only offered to scammed Leeds runners. Essex runners need not apply. No Australians (do Sydney).
Ok. From the variety of different opinions we can agree to disagree but this is what I will do next year. Apply but don't pay and if I don't get in, give my £35 to charity. I don't need an more loser jackets thanks. my chances might even improve, allegedly? Thanks for the comments though folks.
Just to go back to the beginning - I didn't bequeath my entry fee and didn't get in. A friend did pay up front, and she did get in - on the 1000 extra places ballot. So it worked for her.
Comments
So many flaws in the 'if it aint broke' theory, but I'll have to go through them tonight as too busy at work Im afraid.
I paid and didn't get in. But then it was my first attempt ever and I did get a 'failed' jacket (as I call it).
What has surprised me is how many apply and how many have applied for many, many years without getting in. Add to this I know some people who have got in 3 years in a row. Does seem a little unfair in that respect.
Why has the pigging quote thing disappeared??
What Cougie said: Putting it out to tender wouldn't change the fact that squillions of people want to do it each year, but only 36,000 can.
Do you think another organiser would just say "hey, let's give EVERYONE a place"?
From my Essex club, four got in, three didn't. That's a very high success rate - clearly VLM likes Essex boys and girls!
I've no idea who bequeathed and who didn't.
Ive been trying to get a ballot place since 2004, I always bequeath, and I have never managed to get in via the ballot same again this year......... maybe I am just unlucky!
some people have been struck with lightening several times.......i never have.......
Mr A - I think your standpoint is pretty weak here to be honest and you know it. I think you're buying time to try to come up with a better argument. Fair play but it's a bit transparent
My advice to Clive, Katie and others is don't bequeath - at least then, if you never get a place, you've never paid anything.
.....but the " failed jacket" is pretty cool this year!...and it fits for a change!
Well if you like the merchandise that's another matter
We've got various garments hanging round at home, they are very useful.
I can't see the point in the merchandise........people always ask you did you do the marathon if you wear it....and you have to lamely answer.no I didn't.I got this as a consolation prize because i didn't get in
Some people will have the 'failed' jacket but still do the race: those who get a club place, or a gold bond place.
I'll give you a conspiracy. I DIDNT bequeath, DIDN'T get a place but they STILL sent me a jacket. I'm calling Watchdog.
My theory for what it's worth is that those who pay up front are often the most desperate to get in and are hence the most vocal about it when they don't. In comparison there are quite a few who enter without paying up front who aren't as bothered so perhaps don't complain quite so vocally when they don't get a place.
For the record, I entered once (didn't bequeath) and got it. My sister entered once (didn't bequeath) and got in. My dad didn't want to risk his chances with the ballot so just did a quick marathon elsewhere to get a championship place
so the biggest issue is the 90000 people who apply but dont get in. as everyone accepted is happy clappy
how about introducing wave starts and having everyone in and effectively making the start over a couple of hours. sure it would keep the roads closed longer but everyone would get in.
But will we then get people moaning the race had too many in and was too congested?
That'll never work, Dean. Think how crazy-rammed the Chandos would be by the time I'm on my seventh pint!
Funny how Sydney can cope with over 85,000 runners ........... but hey ho .........
Dean: maybe because the Mall can still only hold so many baggage lorries, so many goody bags, so many people with medals? Tubes and trains would be congested all day? Hotels only have so many rooms?
That sort of thing.
PP: seriously thinking about it but, better not; I've seen your shorts!
Same old, same old.
It has been like this since the mid 1990's. I have jacket from when I donated the money and did not get a place in the extra ballot years ago.
As everyone points out it is massively popular and many people will be disappointed. Try your luck at the lottery, probably got the same chance of winning.
I thought it was a scam when I tried to enter the ballot last year and couldn't get past the 'are you SURE you don't want to donate your entry fee?' page. I was sure, though, so didn't end up entering.
undercuts PP: 250 + tight shorts (slightly less salubrious GFA place), only offered to scammed Leeds runners. Essex runners need not apply. No Australians (do Sydney).
Ok. From the variety of different opinions we can agree to disagree but this is what I will do next year. Apply but don't pay and if I don't get in, give my £35 to charity. I don't need an more loser jackets thanks. my chances might even improve, allegedly? Thanks for the comments though folks.
Just to go back to the beginning - I didn't bequeath my entry fee and didn't get in. A friend did pay up front, and she did get in - on the 1000 extra places ballot. So it worked for her.
Think of the posh bogs
Thus you should be asking for ??200
The toilets wern't any posher just the queues were a lot shorter.
They used to be proper posh like, with sinks an' all. Carpet too. Now they're just ordinary portaloos with shorter queues.
My jacket's very short in the arms.
Carpet in a portaloo
Maybe 225 is fair on reflection; there was certainly no carpet. I'll rethink this one - I don't want to be accused of a scam.