Update - there is no update

Hello, Internet!

I've not yet had a response from Hull Marathon to the letter I sent on Monday evening. I will keep you posted.

In the meantime, I wanted to cut and paste this piece, from a Hull runner, who articulated the issue very well.



Thanks again for the support - I'm blown away. I did a tough 12 miles this morning, and will go out again for another 6 - 18 miles in one day. It might not be quite how Mo trains, but it's all miles on the legs (and us slower runners need to get creative with our time management; slow running takes longer to train for!)

Claire x

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Posted by Rachel Anderson:

"I think there are a couple of separate, but intertwined issues here. 

The first issue is that the organisation of this race has been far from clear. Claire - you've always stated that you check T&Cs closely and wouldn't enter races with cut-offs that you couldn't meet or that wouldn't allow headphones. I am sure you did the same this time. Races have cut offs, we all know that, and there is no issue with the concept of a cut off, for whatever logistical reasons necessary, per se. Also, many ban headphones. Again, completely valid. I know that you don't disagree with either of these issues. However, the rules of any race need to be CLEARLY stated from the moment the race is advertised. These rules need to be accessible from standard webpages AND mobile sites. Also, the sign up process must make it clear that these rules exist and, in this instance, should not allow someone to select a estimated finish time of over 6 hours. Given that they are allowing 'slower' runners to sign up then they need to have a workable contingency plan for those runners and CLEARLY state what it is. Currently, this contingency plan is confusing. They need to sort this out and then communicate it to those individuals that it might affect. OK - the race is in its first year and mistakes might be made. It may be that allowing people with estimated finish times of over 6 hours to enter has been an oversight. If so then they the organisers cannot bury their heads in the sand over it; they need to do something about it. Change their webpage and also communicate with those individuals that have already entered about how they intend to proceed. Given that the mistake is theirs I would expect what the do to involve some concession on their part. Ideally, a mechanism by which these runners can finish the race. 

The second issue is a much wider one regarding inclusivity of running as a sport. It is an important issue and one that extends far beyond the Hull Marathon. It is also one that, I fear, is unlikely to be resolved here. However, that doesn't mean you should stop trying. I, personally, think Hull is the perfect place to raise such issues and that the organisers are, to some extent, missing a trick by not doing so. As you know, I'm not from Hull, but I have taken this city as my home and it has its problems. Issues surrounding obesity, disability and lack of opportunity are rife here. Also, it is a city that is trying to pull itself out of the shadows. This is an opportunity to do so; it is a new event in a city where these are hugely pertinent issues. It is also a city that has a vibrant and close-knit running community. My experience is that the different running clubs within Hull (and surrounding areas) make running accessible to a wide range of individuals and are generally very supportive of each other. I truely believe that, if they asked, the running community of Hull would pull together to make this an inclusive event. One that is set apart from others BECAUSE of its inclusivity. There are plenty of other big city marathons; I'm not sure Hull can compete with those. So, why not make itself different? 

The second issue deals with issues of idealism that I don't think will happen. But, that does not mean that these issues shouldn't be raised. The first issue is one that has to be dealt with if the organisers of this marathon want the event to be successful and to continue in future years."