I think that they need to change goals for women along with champs places - there were virtually no women in the FGFA field, it was all 40+ men. I think most women who could get a FGFA also could get a champs place, so understandably enter that.
Its 'F'GFA for a reason - the relatively small number of women running at that pace can go off the champs start, and the regular GFA women get a reasonably clear start from green. I don't see any benefit from mixing 3:30 women with sub-3 men just to even out sex ratios, it would make the first mile carnage.
Plus if there were women in FGFA how could everyone have their last pee on the road five minutes before the start...
Blisters, well I am happy you don't decide the times! Quite frankly I think sub 3:10 is tough and should be gfa, I agree with much of the above that there is room for adjustments throughout to make all equal across age and gender splits. I would however note as previously mentioned, the point of gfa is to maximise entries without having a field full of slower runners, which would be no fun for anyone...
As long as it does not change this year I will be there in 2014, and as long as I am given ample notice I will endeavour to get whatever time required!
Shazmo, as said above 'fast', FGFA is a separate assembly area at the front of the red start. I'm not sure of the exact cutoff for being in it, but I think it is the male 18-39 standards (i.e. being GFA via having done a previous marathon under 3:10)
As a 40+ bloke - how fast would i have to run to get a Fast Good For Age as opposed to the normal GFA ? ( I didn't even know they had a FGFA until my brother got his !)
Website updated (see below) - must have been today. Not helpful that they arent releasing the times before the ballot
If you've already run a full marathon in a particularly fast time, you might qualify for an automatic 'good for age' entry into the 2014 Virgin London Marathon.
How do I apply?
Please refer back to the website at the end of May for details for qualifying times and details on how to apply. If you have any questions, please call us on 0207 902 0200.
Please note, only UK residents can apply for a good for age entry into the Virgin Money London Marathon. If you're applying from overseas you'll need to enter the overseas ballot.
To qualify for FGFA you have to have done a GFA time and it also has to be sub 3:15.
Whether they use their discretion, I don't know and of course since they made it easier for young men to get GFA they may start to have problems with too many at the FGFA start - it certainly has been much more crowded the last couple of years
Comments
Its 'F'GFA for a reason - the relatively small number of women running at that pace can go off the champs start, and the regular GFA women get a reasonably clear start from green. I don't see any benefit from mixing 3:30 women with sub-3 men just to even out sex ratios, it would make the first mile carnage.
Plus if there were women in FGFA how could everyone have their last pee on the road five minutes before the start...
PS - I did google it before asking, to hide my ignorance, but no luck
Blisters, well I am happy you don't decide the times! Quite frankly I think sub 3:10 is tough and should be gfa, I agree with much of the above that there is room for adjustments throughout to make all equal across age and gender splits. I would however note as previously mentioned, the point of gfa is to maximise entries without having a field full of slower runners, which would be no fun for anyone...
As long as it does not change this year I will be there in 2014, and as long as I am given ample notice I will endeavour to get whatever time required!
Shazmo, as said above 'fast', FGFA is a separate assembly area at the front of the red start. I'm not sure of the exact cutoff for being in it, but I think it is the male 18-39 standards (i.e. being GFA via having done a previous marathon under 3:10)
Thanks. I might just make the standard GFA.
Maybe they should call it RGFA.....really good for age
Shazmo: that's the championship start! (sub 2:45 men)
oh goodness me do the GFA women start at a different place then?
wibble...
I'm not sure if that was ever published by VLM. Maybe its a split based on numbers who applied that year.
What we need is the highest time from RW runners that got into the FGFA pen. I applied and got in FGFA with 3:02
Anyone with a higher time?
AR - I think you more than qualify after running 2:47 on Sunday!!! You should be in the FFGFA category!
LOL at the FFGFA !
I got 3:50.02 at my last marathon.
Was hoping that i'd get in on GFA on that, and have been told by people at my club that as long as it is under 3:51 i'll be OK.
Can anyone confirm this, or am I two seconds too slow?
For the record, i did call VLM, and the woman on the phone didn't know.
Thanks Cougie.
It is a mixed bag. They let someone in my club get a GFA at 3:52! So if they refuse, i'll feel a bit hard done by.
Will try the ballot too. But have never had any luck with that either.
Got a marathon coming up this winter, so will try to get a faster time to assure my entry!
Website updated (see below) - must have been today. Not helpful that they arent releasing the times before the ballot
If you've already run a full marathon in a particularly fast time, you might qualify for an automatic 'good for age' entry into the 2014 Virgin London Marathon.
Please refer back to the website at the end of May for details for qualifying times and details on how to apply. If you have any questions, please call us on 0207 902 0200.
Please note, only UK residents can apply for a good for age entry into the Virgin Money London Marathon. If you're applying from overseas you'll need to enter the overseas ballot.
Without wanting to be controversial it may be more favourable for one sex over the other in respect of missing the GFA by a few seconds.
I think we have to work on the assumption the qualification will remain the same. I am running on 12 may and will continue to assume I need sub 3;15.
Maybe they'll make it easier !
My conspiracy theory head is starting to get into gear.
Exactly.
If you knew you had a GFA place then you probably wouldn't enter the ballot!
Either way, good luck to everyone trying to get a place.
To qualify for FGFA you have to have done a GFA time and it also has to be sub 3:15.
Whether they use their discretion, I don't know and of course since they made it easier for young men to get GFA they may start to have problems with too many at the FGFA start - it certainly has been much more crowded the last couple of years
Blimey, they do like a good tinker don't they. Will be interesting to see if there are changes and in which directions for different categories.
I had 3 11 and was just an ordinary Gfa this year, so 3 15 is not the cut off. Maybe it was 3 10?
Got 3 05 this year so see where I end up in 2014.