London marathon runners 'called fat and slow' by contractors

[BTTD]

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-london-48125731

"James Miller, 35, had been running for a dementia charity. ... He finished in just over eight hours...really demotivating to see the course being dismantled around us....even had to ask for directions at a couple of points as the route wasn't obvious"

8 hours ffs. 26.2 miles / 8 hours = 3.2mph.

I have a dislike for charity runners, especially ones that can't actually run. The London Marathon was originally set up by and for running enthusiasts, and not money grabbing charities. If you can't run, a marathon probably isn't for you.
If you want to go for a walk, go for a walk.

[bhinso]

Not a huge fan of the London Marathon, probably jealous because I couldn't do it.

Apparently it's really difficult to get into, you have to have huge sponsorship support.

I guess most people do it for ego. They interviewed one woman on the news who said "The last few miles she became blind in one eye, and had to crawl over the finish line".
But still glad she did it

[Nobby the Bastard]

[BTTD]

[Easy-X]

I read that article. TBH I'm not surprised over grumpy contractors: probably didn't appreciate having to work on a Sunday.

However, a pace runner claiming the water stations had been packed away - ppl could die from dehydration - and then to be accused of lying about it!

Seems to be a tendency with any well established charity event or organisation: a rotten core. Oxfam, Comic Relief, WWF now the London Marathon
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[ThunderGuts]

I get (and support) doing these things for charity, but there has to be a degree of realism over it. It's a marathon; the name alone is synonymous with massive effort. As said above, it should only be attempted by people sufficiently fit and able to do it.

Let's not forget this is London - it's not taking place on a coastal footpath, the roads being closed are causing doubtless large amounts of disruption to the area; it's not reasonable to prolong this. There should be a cap; the race ends at a certain point, if you've not finished, tough - you just go onto the footpath and walk back through the streets (or a bus comes through and sweeps everyone up).
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TG.

[bhinso]

[thx1138]

[thx1138]

oh and I have never raised sponsorship in a running event ever, but I think most of them now donate money to a cause. Many running events are profit making enterprises for the organisers, and I guess that by bigging up the charity element, smooths the way for them with local authorities etc

if I did run a marathon, I'm sure i'd find the London one easier than some smaller ones, due to the atmosphere and enthusiasm of others carrying me along, but I think half-marathons are my limit

only once twice did i do a fundraiser, and both times it was (for me) real effort

Walked London to Brighton 65 mile route in just under 20hrs, 800 started 400 finished. Toughest thing I've done. To be honest, I only raised money cos I had to, to enter it.

Cycled non stop Bedford to Fareham, solo effort, raised money for a local charity. But I would've cycled the route anyway. Doing it again on Sunday actually, but not sponsored.

[Freddyfruitba...]

What really boils my piss is people seeking charity sponsorship to do a sky dive, or climb Everest or the Grand Canyon or whatever; they deal is usually that the participant has to undertake to raise X amount of sponsorship, and have to cover Y amount of the cost of the trip upfront themselves - where "Y" is significantly less than they'd have to pay if they were doing the activity as an ordinary, non-sponsored trip.

If you want to go on an adventure holiday, then pay for it yourself and don't expect me to subsidise it for you FFS
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[pepperami]

[chickenstrip]

Otoh, if you're mug enough to pay for me to go off and have fun, I ain't turning it down. Not that I've ever done a charity event. I could be considered a charity case though.
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Chickenystripgeezer's Biking Life (Latest update 19/10/18) Belgium, France, Italy, Austria tour 2016 Picos de Europa, Pyrenees and French Alps tour 2017 Scotland Trip 1, now with BONUS FEATURE edit, 5/10/19, on page 2 Scotland Trip 2 Luxembourg, Black Forest, Switzerland, Vosges Trip 2017
THERE'S MILLIONS OF CHICKENSTRIPS OUT THERE!

[Lord Percy]

[MCN]

[thx1138]

sponsored bandwagon ride

[Polarbear]

Wifie and her sister run. Her sister does all these big events.

What utterly amazes me are the events that will only let you run if you have got a certain level of sponsorship. Wifies sister is doing one soon where entry level is £2000.

So after donating your time and effort you are still expected to give them a minimum of 2 grand.

I'd be telling them to GTF and donating my services to some little charity run where they are thankful for all the support they can get.

Boils my piss as well that wifeys sister is stupid enough to go along with their antics. I told her this and was sent to Coventry by wifie for it. Bliss
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Triumph Trophy Launch Edition

[Easy-X]

I can understand the £2000 bar. If they didn't have it, and ppl collecting a couple of quid for their local charity were all running, it'd end up being a 3 day event with the number of participants!
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[LustyLew]

The marathon is a shit long day. People don't see the volunteers getting up at 5am to be on the road for 7am "just in case something happens". You then stand around for hours doing fuck all.

The road closures shut down London for an entire day. Some parts (Wapping and Bermondsey for example) get cut off, get your car out before 7am or you're stuck! Want an ambulance? The crew have to carry their kit and WALK.

If people want to walk for 8, then 9 then 10 hours and so on, cool! Want the 'marathon experience'? Fab! VLM will have to ask TfL to close the roads for an additional two or three hours for the WHOLE COURSE. Who's going to pay?! The runners will have to foot the bill.

Or, here's a shocking idea. Train. Train hard. Even BEFORE you've got applied for a place. If you're too unfit (read fat or lazy) to complete the 26.2 miles in a reasonable time, don't enter. The marathon IS inclusive. If someone with NO FUCKING LEGS can complete it, some tubby fucker who sits on their arse all day can train to, too!

There should be a 7 hour cut off. Don't cross the finish line 7 hours after you started? Sorry, go home.

[Skudd]

They should ban them from roads, there are enough parks to run around. They should have number limits of less than 200 people doing the run and it should be done at night to avoid any impact on normal people.

You could have a few pressure cookers dotted around the course just to keep them motivated and us amused.

They also need to ban it on Eco warrior grounds as the carbon foot print for a jogger is massive compared to the guy sat at home watching TV.
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[bhinso]

I might do one to raise funds to bring Shamima back.

[thx1138]

[BTTD]

[BigTim]

these people need to grow up!

I could walk it quicker

Its getting too big like red nose bullshit day, they need to restrict number off entrants and have 4-5 hours max time.

these people actually expect folk to stand around for 9 hours to watch some twat walk past them.

[Skudd]

[Wonko The Sane]