English
If like me, you were one of the unlucky ones to have received a “sorry” letter from Dave Bedford this week, don’t let it get you down.
I have applied for the London Marathon every year since 1994; some years I have been successful, others not.
There are a few things you can do if you were unsuccessful:
1) Hang up your running shoes
2) Convince Mr Bedford he has made a mistake
3) Go for a charity place
4) Look for an alternative race
1 & 2 are clearly not viable options and if you are unable / unwilling to go for a charity place, you will probably want to find an alternative. To help you, I have set out my top five alternatives to the London Marathon.
1 Paris Marathon
Summary: French chic plus everything that a large scale city marathon provides
Date: 11 April 2010
Terrain and profile: Road, Flat
Field: 40,000 places, entry is open c21,000 places already taken
Enter at: www.parismarathon.com/marathon/2010/us/r2_sinscrire.html
Cost: 58 – 90 Euros
Additional requirements: You will need to submit a Medical Certificate with your entry
2 Boston Marathon
Summary: The 144th running of the world’s oldest annual marathon
Date: 19 April 2010
Terrain and profile: Road, undulating with the infamous “Heartbreak Hill” 20 miles in
Field: 25,000 places, entry is open
Enter at: www.registration.baa.org/2010/cf/RegAthlete/pg_WebApp.cfm?mode=start
Cost: $175 for overseas runners
Additional requirements: You will need to meet qualifying time standards and submit proof with your entry
3 Rotary Shakespeare Marathon
Summary:
Date: 19 April 2010
Terrain and profile: A predominately flat multi terrain course.
Field: 3,400
Enter at: www.shakespearemarathon.org.uk/
Cost: £23 / £25
Additional requirements: There is a cut off time of 2 hrs 25 mins for marathon runners completing the first lap and 6.00 hours for completing the course.
4 The Great Welsh Marathon
Summary: The 2st ever running of the Great Welsh Marathon, which takes part along the Millennium Coastal Park in Llanelli
Date: 19 April 2010
Terrain and profile: Billed as fast, scenic and traffic free
Field: 250
Enter at: www.runnersworld.co.uk/events/registrationinfo.asp?sp=&v=6&EN=52801
Cost: £22 / £25
Additional requirements: None
5 Brighton Marathon
Summary: Another inaugural event, this one is in “London by the Sea”
Date: 19 April 2010
Terrain and profile: Road and promenade, billed as fast
Field: 12,000 places already taken but, entry opens again in early November and there are a number of charity places still up for grabs
Enter at: www.brightonmarathon.co.uk/entry.html
Cost: £40
Additional requirements: Register on the race website for details of entry re-opening
However, why not take the opportunity to try something a little different? Ranked below are 5 ultra alternatives:
1 Forces March 2010
Summary: 131 miles over 5 days in as an individual or in a team of 4 from Ilfracombe to Bulford Camp
Date: 27 – 31 May 2010
Terrain and profile: Challenging, with many hills and valleys along the way
Field: Not published
Enter at: www.forcesmarch.org.uk/entry.asp
Cost: £115 per person
Additional requirements: Each team must have their own support crew and vehicle to assist with transportation, camp set-up and equipment supplies. There is also a sponsorship target of £1,000.
2 Underround
Summary: A 42km route visiting all 42 London Underground Stations
Date: Anytime you like!
Terrain and profile: The streets of London
Field: However many you can get
Enter at: The course details can be purchased at www.rorycoleman.co.uk
Cost: £10 for the course map
Additional requirements:
3 Two Oceans
Summary: 40th running of “the worlds most beautiful marathon”. 34.8 miles from Newlands to Constantia Nek, South Africa
Date: 3 April 2010
Terrain and profile: Offroad and undulating
Field: 10,000
Enter at: www1.twooceansmarathon.org.za/home due to open any day now!
Cost: R150 – R235
Additional requirements: 7 hour time limit. Age 20+ only. There are qualifying standards for overseas applicants.
4 Coventry Way Challenge
Summary: Walk or run the 40mile circular countryside route along the Coventry Way
Date: 18 April 2010
Terrain and profile: Offroad and undulating
Field: Not published
Enter at: www.acoventryway.org.uk/acw_chal-next.htm
Cost: £10 per person / £20 Team
Additional requirements: 15 hour time limit
5 Calderdale Hike
Summary: 36m or 27m route over the South Pennines
Date: 10 April 2010
Terrain and profile: Harsh and mountainous
Field: 350
Enter at: www.acoventryway.org.uk/acw_chal-next.htm
Cost: £10 per person / £35 Team
Additional requirements: A long list of rules: www.calderdalehike.org.uk/rules.html. Most notably, you must be able to navigate
My next event is the Pembrokeshire Challenge 3 day ultra on 6 – 8 November. My knee is still a little sore after London to Brighton but I am really relishing the prospect of spending 3 days running along the beautiful Welsh coast. Entries are still open if you fancy joining me (details here)