I have seen quite a lot of race reports where people have said they have now got GFA for the 2014 race. The website currently only has the standards for 2013 on there. Do some people have insider info or are they just hoping that the requirements stay the same for next year? I currently have a fast enough time but am not counting my chickens until I see the 2014 times.
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I think the times have been static for a few years, so people are assuming that they will qualify. No one has a defnite place in VLM 2014 yet, as they still have to apply for the GFA place - but its not a ballot so as long as your time is good enough you should be OK.
I guess the 2014 GFA criteria will be added next week after the marathon and prior to the ballot opening, as they'll want to prevent GFA-qualified applicants filling up the ballot entry system.
They muck about with them every few years - in 2003 the GFA time for U40 men was 3:15, for 2004 it was 3:00, then it went back out to 3:10 around 2008/2009 or so. Usually there are rumours of an impending change before any official announcement, and if there were any such mutterings they'd be on here by now, so I'd be surprised if there are any changes for 2014. Especially, as stutyr points out, that the ballot entry is so early these days.
I'd feel very let down if I was given false information.
They really should change the GFA times to make them rational & fair, but I'm not holding my breath!
ooh I hope they dont change them for my category 40 mins! I got 4.11 which means I now qualify, I am so excited to have done that!
They need the GFA people to spread the field out or you'd have a big gap after the elites went through, and then a logjam of people running 3.45 or so.
If they do tinker with the ages they'll still want to keep people flowing through. I think ?
(is it just me that's a bit fed up of fastest marathon in "insert wacky costume here" ?)
I just checked the VLM website and it says that the GFA times and application process won't open until the end of May. That seems bonkers, as I now feel as if I have no choice but to enter the ballot, in case they change the criteria and I no longer qualify.
Anyone know something I don't?
Thanks
Hi Kitten Kat - I just ran 3.50.38 and I'm 50, so the previous limit was 4 hours. If they change it to 3.50, I'll have to go to Virgin and kill someone!!
Sorry folks - on reflection, my last comment was probaly a bit tasteless, given recent events....I'm sure you all knew what I meant.....
if i have a good for age time is that a deffo entry or should i do the ballot as well? I have a 3:06 from berlin last year for the over 35's - not sure what to do?
New times are now on the VLM site! They have changed my category (men 18-40) from 3:10 to 3:05.
I trained to run sub-3:10 to get a GFA time in October last year and on the day busted my balls trying to break 3hours. In the end I ran 3:01:32.
Looks like it was a good job that I made the extra effort on the day!
This will upset a lot of people.
But the new times are more rational, same age groups for men & women with a measure of some consistency. Still a lot easier for women by the look of things...
I agree that they make more sense, but a number of people, including me, have previously contacted VLM to ask if 2014's times would be the same as 2013's and were told they would be.
It seems I need to change gender, train harder, run faster and age 30 years... then just maybe I could hope to qualify!
Good thing you were quick then!
Doesn't impact me, as my qualifying time was 3 years ago rather than 2, but I can appreciate that runners will be disappointed if they no longer qualify - and cross if they were told that GFA times weren't going to change!
I'm 43, male, with a recent 3:11. Was excited about getting a GFA and having a sure marathon scheduled for next Spring. But I'm American and just read the small print: GFA is for UK runners only. Sigh.
... or for those with a UK based friend/relative that can post off the entry forms for them.