Hi!
Who out there has a place already? I've got one by virtue of having had to pull out this year.
It's a relief being able to train without having to worry about whether I've got a place or not, but all the same, I'd have loved to have run this year after all that training.
Good luck to all of those hoping for a place via the ballot
)
Iain
Comments
dave h
I have a place via a golden bond place. The best place to look for charity places is in runners world. I ran for Phab this year and i am doing the same again next year. I also have posted my ballot form off and, will enter my club ballot. What ever way i get in i will be running. My training has started, and as i have a blank vest, if anyone or a bussiness would like to sponser my clothing, i would in return a) be grateful and wear your logo on all my training clothing as well as my race gear.
It certainly makes a difference training knowing that you already have a place.
Sheila
I am lucky to have a guaranteed place due to being Good for Age from my time at London this year, but I tried 4 times before I got in and it might sound a bit sad but everytime I got my cheque returned early December I felt pretty sick as I had endured training in the dark and bad weather and was often planning my runs over Xmas to be knocked back again!!!
For those that don't get in, keep trying each year as it is definitely worth the wait.
Start by applying through the ballot. There's a substantial chance that you'll be rejected, but if you're one of the lucky ones whose name comes out of the hat you will have your own place and can choose your own charity, even a small local one that doesn't have golden bond places. You're not committed to raising a four-figure sum, so the fundraising pressure is off. Most big charities are happy for "own-place" runners to join their teams.
If you're rejected in the ballot, start contacting charities for a golden bond place and be prepared for some heavy duty can-rattling and jam-making.
If you haven't done a sponsored event before, it's surprising how many people are willing to donate. ou can assure them that if they are paying for you to suffer, they will get good value for money!
For future reference, the Great North Run and several other major events are first-come-first-served, so you can avoid the need to take a golden bond place if you're quick to apply.
Cheers, V-rap.
I got a 'good for age' time this year, and just can't decide whether to enter for 2003! I had thought I'd give myself a break from it - I found the training a huge time drain (but run a lot anyway!). But it does seem criminal not to take up a gifted place....(but will I regret it when on 3 hr training runs in February??!)
Anyone else having the same dilemma???
Is anyone running the Dublin Marathon?
Carrie
Are you?
What time are you hoping for at Dublin? Very brave to take on 2 marathons in a year..your 3 hr runs must be a weekly fixture year round!!!
I am hoping for a 3:30 max at Dublin which will give me the confidence to train for a 3:15 at FLM next year.
Each year I plan to do the FLM (whenever I get the chance to get in that is) and ANOther overseas one that I haven't done.
What time are you hoping for next year at FLM?
Does anyone know when the guaranteed entry forms get sent out as I want
to run for a charity the real way and dare not tell them I am in unless I see it written
in blood on 400 year old parchment signed by the queen.
Chris Smith
www.ropsley.org.uk
The entry form says that you must write before the 18th October so I should imagine that they will wait until after then before sending out guaranteed entry forms perhaps.
Think big!!!!!!
I'm running in Dublin!
I like to push it!
Should be under 3:15 this time (Third time)
Enjoy the Guiness in Dublin, many of the Ropsley Runners will be there on a
club organised trip. You WILL see them!
other races in one year like I did in 2000. That is mad! Get a nice fit body but sleep well.
Fint the nearest bar to the finish and that should be where our runners are.
Cheers,
Chris (Off to the Gym now)
In terms of when to apply for a guaranteed charity place, do it is soon as you can but remember that quite a few charities ask you to enter through the ballot as well and don't actually give out their places until the ballot results come out in December.
That way they get two bites of the cherry - if you get in through the ballot their can give the place they would have given you to someone else.
On a separate note, what evidence of your time in this years FLM did you send with your letter?
Sorry but that is sub 3:16
You wont get in with it.
Wolfy
I sent the official certificate from previous London.
A photocopy will do though as they will check anyway.
Chris
Cheers