Charity event rather than a running one?

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PeterWard5 Apr 2012 1:34pm, 25 Apr 2012 1,904 posts	0 PeterWard5 @JRitchie I agree with your point. I just think that the companies that run the major races really take advantage of the charities in my view in charging big bucks for bond places. The atmosphere this year was immense and I chose the BHF to run for in memory of my father.
JRitchie Apr 2012 1:39pm, 25 Apr 2012 129 posts	0 JRitchie PeterWard5 I agree with you. The bond places charge and the minimum pladge did stick in the throat.
TnoP Apr 2012 4:00pm, 25 Apr 2012 1,532 posts	0 TnoP Just enjoy it for what it is. I couldn't run London this year because of injury but went down anyway to support my friends who run for Parkinson's Disease. Although I was envious of those 'inside the barrier' I had a fantastic day and cheered one and all to the rafters. It wouldn't get the coverage, kudos or publicity without the charity element and I for think think it is all the better for it. I've run big city marathons in NYC, Stockholm, LA and Rome and, while they were all brilliant, London's atmosphere sets it apart. So for me, I get annoyed with all the snobbery around London - it's a brilliant event, everyone smiles for the day and for those who want a quick race, there are loads of alternatives...
Devoted2Distance Apr 2012 4:15pm, 25 Apr 2012 884 posts	0 Devoted2Distance Having ran it for the first time this year, I'd agree that unless you're an elite or a charity runner (or a weirdo who loves all that noise and commotion just for fun) it's not a PB course and not anything special. I'd never want to run London again but for people raising money and the elites then it is obviously extremely significant and special to them. Don't see the point in debating this. Attention seeker
Johnny Blaze Apr 2012 4:32pm, 25 Apr 2012 14,535 posts	0 Johnny Blaze I got a pb at London on Sunday and I loved the "noise and commotion."It's called "support" where I come from.
Johnny Blaze Apr 2012 4:33pm, 25 Apr 2012 14,536 posts	0 Johnny Blaze But yes, it IS largely a charity event. I don't think there's any doubt about it anymore.
Stander Apr 2012 4:38pm, 25 Apr 2012 7,545 posts	0 Stander I'm obviously a weirdo. Maybe I need therapy so that I too can enjoy running a marathon surrounded by nothing but silence. The support is what makes the London marathon.
becca7 Apr 2012 4:42pm, 25 Apr 2012 3,829 posts	0 becca7 I think a lot of people on here got pbs and are neither charity runners nor elites. Nor indeed weirdos.
sheri3004 Apr 2012 4:42pm, 25 Apr 2012 11,546 posts	0 sheri3004 It might make me sound like a misery guts but it is the noise and commotion (though I know it is supportive) that puts me off a bit - then again I haven't done the London marathon so maybe it would feel different in reality. I don't feel happy generally in big noisy crowds, though, so I don't feel hugely drawn to massive events... Though I would still like to do it once, just to see
PeterWard5 Apr 2012 4:43pm, 25 Apr 2012 1,905 posts	0 PeterWard5 Stander spot on mate. Had low points in the race and the crowd picked me up and carried me along. The support was amazing.