Just when you thought you could put your trainers away in the cupboard again!
We have managed to secure five charity assisted places for next year's Edinburgh Marathon!
This means that up to five people can run in the event for GAL on Sunday 27th May 2007 (bank holiday weekend so you can recover on Monday!). We can also use the places to enter the Hairy Haggis Team relay - each team is made up of four people who will run a leg of the marathon course each (approximately 8 miles).
As these are Charity guaranteed places, you need not enter the public ballot (which closes on 1st December). The relay race is only open to charities this year. The minimum sponsorship we ask you to raise is £500 - of which a £50 non returnable deposit will be required to secure your place (this can then be deducted from your £500 minimum). If you enter a team - the minimum amount is for the whole team.
You will also receive a GAL running T shirt or Vest along with a training guide and support from GAL.
The race is a full marathon - 26.2 miles and the relay is split into four legs on the same course.
The Edinburgh Marathon is the second largest full marathon in the UK.
The route for 2007 will be very different to previous events - as well as including the start on Princes' Street in the shadow of Edinburgh Castle, runners will head out of the city and into the countryside and coastlines of East Lothian before heading back to a finish at Musselburgh Racecourse.
Over 5 million pounds have been raised for charity since the race started in 2003!
For further details see the official website for the marathon
To participate runners must be at least 18 years of age on race day for the full marathon and for the relay the minimum age for runners is 17 on race day.
If you are interested in taking part in the event for GAL and would like an application form or would like further information, please contact me lorna@gal.org.uk.
We now have our first team for the Hairy Haggis Relay event -
Caroline, Moira, Linda and Lea !
We still have four more charity guaranteed places left though - you can run in the main marathon event or use one of the places for a team of four people.
If four people are running 26.2 miles in total - how come they run 8 miles each? Is there a large overlap - the team will be running a total of 32 miles!!!
Amanda, have you done any running lately?? If i could sort out the logistics of getting to the start point etc i think i might do the relay to prove to myself i still can!! Think i was about 21 last time i did a half marathon and i will be forty this month so it would be a major challenge, but worth it to raise money for GAL...
I have been running since May. To cut a long story short I had problems whilst pregnant that ment I was on crutches and house bound towards the end. After having Hazel I started running because I could!!!
The 10k relay would be no problem there is plenty of time to train not sure I could do a half marathon though so we would have to find a couple of willing runners to make up the numbers
I don't know for definite if I will be able to run on the day so don't want to take up a space that someone else could have - otherwise my name would have been first on the list
I really enjoyed the 10K and would love to do the marathon as my next challenge! I will see nearer the time if there are places left, but am hoping they will fill up before then
Well done Gail and Amanda ! - we just need another two people and we have our second place filled up with a relay team. It is a fantastic event and you will enjoy it don't worry. If I can do a 10K anyone can!! I was always the worst at running at school and came last at just about every cross country event. My teacher used to shout at me
"Lorna McPhedran - youv'e got the longest legs in the class and your always last!!" So glad I have proved her wrong on that point recently
We have three charity places left now - anyone interested in doing the marathon ??
I have started training only managing 3 km at the moment but I'm sure I'll get better. I am hoping the wind isn't as strong on the day as I was exhaused trying to run in it yesterday.
Me and Amanda still need another two people to make up our relay team, so for anyone just thinking about it but not sure if you could do it this is a blatant attempt to get you to join us
I went out for a run earlier in the week just to see how unfit i now am and to plan my training. I have not ran for over 8 year, i will be forty in two weeks time, i have asthma and arthritus in my knee and to top it all i still smoke (and am really jealous of anyone who has had the willpower to give up the ciggies!!)
I decided to follow Lorna's training blog from the Scottish run and started slowly with the run for 1 minute/walk for 1 minute and repeat 10 times...I managed it but only just and looked like i'd ran a marathon when i had only been out the house for 20 minutes
I am still determined to do the relay run though as plenty of time to train and raising money to help more Grey's will give me all the motivation i will need to do it, even if i end up walking half the way (which i hope i won't).
I'm sure there are loads of you out there who are much fitter than i am and we can all encourage each other...If i can do it, anyone can!!
Hi Gail sounds like a good start. The main problem I have is worrying about what state my wobbly bottom looks in lycra it aint a pretty sight
I am working on a friend who happend to mention her life long ambition is to run a 10k. She will regret mentioning it soon and am sure will be diving in bushes when she sees me coming
Your are making a good start though by gradually building up the runs - it's amazing how quickly you do get better as when I first started I felt terrible. I will send out some training info to you that I have gathered - I basically used the Tesco race for life website to follow a 5K plan to start off with. By the end of about 6 weeks you should be able to run for 30 mins continously if you follow it
Just a quick update - we have now one full team for the Marathon relay and two volunteers for the second team - we need two more runners for the team to be complete.
We also have another 3 places left if anyone is interested in doing the full marathon! The ballot is closed now so you can only enter with a charity or running club place. Hope some of you will take up the challenge!! :biggrin