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DT19 - death toll is in excess of 2,000 now
I think a lot of countries will follow Switzerland's ruling to ban events with more than 1,000 people, their ban is until 15th March.
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-wales-51663493?ns_linkname=wales&ns_mchannel=social&ns_source=facebook&ns_campaign=bbc_wales_news&fbclid=IwAR3rHyn6phuKTU2_XGE-czNxXINddkEPEAdTRKUlaTgqFyx6dJJXuKa7qm4
Just been reading this. If you think you might be slower than 7.45 you'll get to start in waves 2 or 3. I see the logic as you get a head start on the sweep, but to me another ridiculous length to become inclusive!
Biggest issue in that article is saying she ran the marathon,21min/mile is not running,its barely walking pace.
Yes, Shades it is good that they want to bend over so far backwards like this, whilst at the same time almost culling club places etc.
Ian, yes though i suspect there wont be anymore than about 300 people in this position, spread over 3 starts. Though, why stop there, perhaps put them all on the fgfa or champs start to give an even faster start.
But London is an elite race and the rest a charity run, that's what the organisers want it to be.
Ian - I haven't done London since they introduced wave starts but most people say it's still very crowded, even some of the sub 3 runners said it was crowded in places.
If any of these back of the pack folk want to start further up I'm sure it would only be a handful of them and they've been told to start at the back of the waves so wouldn't affect most runners
this is the full article
https://www.runnersworld.com/uk/news/a31134200/london-marathon-back-of-the-pack-runners/
Yes, as per above London can absorb 300 or so runners scattered over 3 starts.
London is crowded even at just sub 3. I started on fgfa last year which was fantastic until we merged with the other starts at around the 3.05-3.10 pace. It took me to Canary Wharf to get ahead of both those 3 hour pacers and after that it was good.
I take great pride in being one among many official pacers who first raised the matter that there is about a third of the total entrants who finish after 5 hours - that is approximately 14,000 runners. These people need more support than those interested in knocking off a few seconds to get a PB. I can still knock out a 4:00 hour marathon if I bothered but was happy pacing at 5:00 hours for a few years. Last year I was asked to pace at 5:45 and loved it. This year I am pacing at 6:00 and looking forward to helping those in need. I am sure that the organisers having had 40 years experience are doing their best to cater for everyone's aspirations given the constraints of the course and can only think of having different starts for different paces as something not yet tried (apart from the Green start).
I always recall my first attempts when I was absolutely rubbish when I tried longer distances - despite having a 30:14 PB for 10,000m.
With over 160 marathons (including the Six Star Marathon Majors and 35 Londons) behind me I really want to help those starting out and therefore feel sad when I read some of the messages.
My missus tried to stop me running after I retired the world's oldest marathoner - she has since started parkruns - her first attempt was 1 hour 3 minutes, her PB now is 39 minutes. Only runs once a week and now on 220 parkruns.
Slowly but surely.
Incidentally, I run Barking Parkrun (about 2 miles from home) she runs Valentines Parkrun (635m away) because she couldn't stand my 'nagging'.
I invariably return home before she does.
I can't complain as I cannot cook.
BUT, this the "London" we're talking about and its just not the same as other runs, see Shades opinion. For any club/keen runner there are loads of low key marathons out there where they can run their little socks off going for PBs
However, to the great british public there's only one marathon, London, and that's where they want to "run" and feel part of the spectacle, even if it takes them 6hours+ and good luck to them and I defend their right to do so.
Some charities rely heavily on monies raised from the marathon, they will be the losers in this.
Of course if the government announce a blanket ban of events over x number of participants, then that's that... London could reduce numbers same as Tokyo, and run just elites.
I've exceeded my £2k fundraising target, but will source an alternative event so I can run a marathon on behalf of those who sponsored me.
I've my eye on some options just in case. Newport and Peterborough are week before and much smaller so unlikely to be cancelled.
Half marathon cancelled, yet only after all participants had crammed in to the expo to get their race packs.
I know what pace I have been asked to in VLM - it is 6 hours. That is 13 minutes 43 seconds a mile or or 8 minutes 31 seconds every Km.
I was pacing for a 3 hour finish at the Big Half today. The text message said I did it in 3:00:00. The corrected results said 2:59:57.
senidM, I get that, and it's a pity that everyone who wants to can't take part.
But the numbers just aren't viable, so rather than excluding those who've put the time and effort in to be there on merit, if you can't let everyone in, then why not restrict it on the basis of how much people actually want / deserve to be there?
There are real runners out there who can't get a place because they're given to walkers who can't or won't put the effort in to train properly. Just doesn't seem right.
And once again, sorry, but if you really have put the effort in, GFA, is not unobtainable, just not easy!
I know. London marathon seems desperate to be PC and all-inclusive, which is all very laudable. It's just a shame that the UK's biggest and most prestigious marathon is less about running and more about charity and political correctness. Having said that, I'll still be there next month.
And you're right re GFA - not easy, but if you really want to run London, not impossible, just need to put the effort in.
Yes, but the key word there is 'currently'. If come 10th April, there is a mass outbreak in London, they'll pull it if they think it will aide public health. It would be a ridiculous over reaction to just pull it now.
A lot are asking what will happen to places. The VMLM terms state that charity places will be returned to the charity and other places will be refunded. Probably would cause a lot of upset to those lucky enough to grab a ballot place who would much rather be automatically entered into next year i'm sure.
I am looking at lower key back ups. On the same day as London, local to me is the stratford upon Avon mara. Entries for that close on 22 April.
PeteM77, yes great news, although I intend to run the course on the day regardless - the Rebel Run.
There are two others on the same day.
London Rejects and I can't believe its not London.
Details at the link below.
https://www.apex-sports.co.uk/document/item-64-2017-18-uk-marathon-listing
Harminder, thanks for the link, I'll take a look.
So this morning I watched Matt Hancock interviewed on bbc breakfast and he was specifically asked about London and said that as things stood there were no plans to cancel London or any other mass events. Then I see an article from the metro on fb with the headline 'London Marathon could be cancelled because of coronavirus, Matt Hancock warns'!!!
My concern is that if the media make enough fuss about this it will become a self fulfilling headline.
'....it will become a self fulfilling headline.'
Dunning Kruger effect methinks