London Marathon - 25 April

Peckham

There's a few of us here doing it, and there's a month to go until the big day, so thought it might deserve a thread separate to our individual training logs to discuss race-related matters.

Has anyone received their race magazine yet? Think we're due one that gives us final race logistics.

dermCu

I got it yesterday. Arrived home from work all psyched up to go at my big mid-week session and there it was staring me in the face.

One surprise - they have created a new section called 'fast good for age'. They've moved this from the green start to the red. It looks like this section will have its own boxed off area at the red start. Its probably a better way of doing it. I started from the green start before and it was a real pain in the ass as they ushered the celebs, sponsors and guests to the front causing a blockage for all the GFA runners behind them.

How did you get your place - ballot, GFA etc...?

TFBubendorfer

I thought the GFA option was only available to UK based runners.

Gringo78

TFBubendorfer wrote: »

I thought the GFA option was only available to UK based runners.

Only available to runners submitting application with a UK address....i.e you just need to use a uk based friends address.

dermCu

TFBubendorfer wrote: »

I thought the GFA option was only available to UK based runners.

It is but I'm based in the the UK.

Peckham

I'm in GFA - does that mean I'm in the "fast GFA"? I got in with 3:00:00 which is exactly the cut-off point for GFA....

Peckham

With 12 days to go, thought it might be good to resurrect this thread. Following the Rotterdam, Connemara etc. race reports, our time in the sun (although hopefully not too much sun!) is nearly here.

Am starting from the Fast Good for Age pen. Anyone else going from there?

Disappointed to see that Katie Price (aka Jordan) has withdrawn from the race.

List of "celebs" (in the loosest sense of the word) to look out for in the race (list stolen from runnersworld.co.uk):

Princess Beatrice of York (with armed protection guards)
Holly Branson (you wouldn't guess who she's related to)
Sam Branson (there's a connection here)
Mark Chapman (fanous sports presenter)
George Burley (any Scotland fans, now's your change to throw your haggis at)
Nick Anstee (never heard of him. Former Lord Mayor of London. London Marathon board member)
Jenni Falconer
Mark Goodier (Smooth Radio DJ fantasic)
Ricky Groves (Eastender's very own Garry Hobbs)
The cast of Emmerdale (now there's a surprise!)
The cast of The Bill (well they looking for jobs now, anyway)
A mix cast of Casualty, Holby City, Coronation St, Doctors and Taggart)
Michelle Heaton (model, LibertyX, z-list celeb)
Lorraine Kelly (predicted time 6 hours)
Russell Howard
Natalie Imbruglia (yes, its really her. 4 hours her aim)
George Lamb (brilliant)
Eddie Jordan (obviously no grand prix on April 25th)
Jo-Emma Larvin (celebrity superstar)
Lee Latchford Evans (celebrity superstar)
Tegla Leroupe (former London Marathon winner. You won't get her. She's aiming 2.40)
Nell McAndrew (pretty fast lady)
Rich McCourt (one half of Dick and Dom)
CJ de Mooi (states as actor, singer, TV presenter and president of the English Chess Federation)
Steve Rider
Gordon Ramsay (this is his 11th marathon in 11 years)
Elen Rivas (spanish model and ex fiancee of Frankie Lampard)
Ben Shephard (GMTV, z-list morning host)
Michelle Ryan (one for the boys, she's aiming 3.30)
Iwan Thomas (former athlete)
Gary Speed (former footballer)
Tony Tobin (a TV cook)
Jessie Wallace (aka Kat Slater)
Dennis Wise
Ricky Whittle (one for the girls)
Dominic Wood (one half of Dom and Dick)
Anna Williamson (children's TV presenter)
Daniel Woodgate (Madness)

Krusty_Clown

Will be interesting to see how Dennis Wise gets on. I wouldn't mind calling Gordon Ramsay an annoying pr1c3, as I sped past him. Good luck to the rest of them. There's nothing quite like a marathon to make one feel like a very ordinary man (or woman), when one looks at the times at the top of the field.

RacoonQueen

I really hope Gary Speed stamps on Dennis Wise as he runs past him.

dermCu

Yip, I'm the same - fast GFA red start. Don't know about you but taper madness is starting to kick in (after only 2 or 3 days).

Thank god the "celebs" are at the green start - there's bloody loads of them and they'll all be ushered to the front. Cue start line mayhem.

eliwallach

I think that May guy (previously 16 stone etc etc - can't think of his first name) finished in 2:21!:eek: - just outside British Commonwealth qualifying time.

Equally astounding that Bob Hope guy from Emmerdale (can't think of his real name) finished in 3:13 dressed as a baby.

Ramsey failed to finish.

ekevosu

eliwallach wrote: »

I think that May guy (previously 16 stone etc etc - can't think of his first name) finished in 2:21!:eek: - just outside British Commonwealth qualifying time.

Equally astounding that Bob Hope guy from Emmerdale (can't think of his real name) finished in 3:13 dressed as a baby.

Ramsey failed to finish.

I saw Ramsey on the telly after 6 miles I think it was and the guy looked absolutely knackered.

Looked like a great day for it. I'll have a look at your training logs but how did boardsies get on in this race?

found another thread under training logs on this.......

Peckham

Daily Telegraph - The Day Gordon Ramsay Gave Up