tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8103021577378959995.post3551310095338826512..comments2020-02-24T20:12:26.157+00:00Comments on Knitted Back Together: Dear Hull Marathon, AKA This Girl Can'tClaire Boyntonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00741791798019657751noreply@blogger.comBlogger11125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8103021577378959995.post-53353190836183463632015-08-29T01:29:59.452+01:002015-08-29T01:29:59.452+01:00Fantastic blog post and completely agree with all ...Fantastic blog post and completely agree with all of your sentiments and arguments. You are a strong and inspirational voice for those who run and love it, whatever the pace. I hope the organisers hear and respond.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8103021577378959995.post-22627052669565908692015-07-24T23:05:48.787+01:002015-07-24T23:05:48.787+01:00You are an inspiration and I am APPALLED about thi...You are an inspiration and I am APPALLED about this! I hope that the organisers change their stanceAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8103021577378959995.post-61465343668307718732015-07-22T17:53:45.109+01:002015-07-22T17:53:45.109+01:00That should be 800cc. Even I'm not that bad ;o...That should be 800cc. Even I'm not that bad ;o)Claire Boyntonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00741791798019657751noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8103021577378959995.post-13784749160055320032015-07-22T17:52:10.623+01:002015-07-22T17:52:10.623+01:00Hi Stephen, thanks for taking the time to leave yo...Hi Stephen, thanks for taking the time to leave your comments on the blog.<br /><br />The reason I have spoken out about it now is because this is the first year the race has been organised. I am hoping that, by speaking out, it will maximise participation. This would also increase profits too. It would also be fairer and is an opportunity to set Hull apart as a city that celebrates the best in everyone - a real festival of running. In 2017 Hull will be City of Culture - why should we not set our standards high? Us slower runners fully admire the achievements of the faster runners; it would be nice if it was felt that that was reciprocated. Having said that, until now I have only ever been met with encouragement, support and celebration by the running community, which is kind of why I wanted to speak out. <br /><br />I didn't think I needed to phone the Race Director personally to ask his permission, given that his website gave me the option of choosing "7 hours +" as the time for completion. My point is that the organisers should have been far, far clearer about the cut off. They may have made a mistake - fine, mistakes happen - but they should be contacting everyone who has already signed up and telling them personally what the contingency plan now is.<br /><br />I appreciate your support in the last paragraph. I wanted to ask you whatever gave you the impression that I don't train regularly? I'm training at the peak of my ability, just as the faster runners are too. Our effort is the same; our outcome is different. If Mo Farah is a Porsche (in terms of power to weight ratio) then I am a Bentley with an 80cc engine. <br /><br />I'm working on it though. I am currently eating clean, running three times a week (one of which is a long run; 18 miles today) and weight training 3 x per week. My current pace is literally a snapshot of where I am on my journey so far, it's not a measure of my effort. When I weighed over 20 stones I couldn't walk to the end of the drive without crutches or a wheelchair, so I'll happily take my 18 miles.<br /><br />I reckon, with a good wind, I should be looking at 6hrs 30 mins. Don't want to commit to that, though, as things can go wrong on the day and I might need to walk a bit longer.<br /><br />I hope to be sub 6 hours next year.<br /><br />Claire xClaire Boyntonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00741791798019657751noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8103021577378959995.post-5263756225197578412015-07-21T10:41:57.016+01:002015-07-21T10:41:57.016+01:00As a slow, female, older 'runner' who aspi...As a slow, female, older 'runner' who aspires to running ALL the way round Parkrun I applaud you. Anyone tackling a marathon and all the necessary training should be encouraged. If an organiser has a problem that prevents them taking runners who may take longer than a particular time they should be up front about it.<br />Good luck with your training. The Material Ladyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03497096076083752062noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8103021577378959995.post-75200606714468229172015-07-20T20:07:06.054+01:002015-07-20T20:07:06.054+01:00Right On!!! If they don't proclaim a course cu...Right On!!! If they don't proclaim a course cut-off time in those places, then you didn't agree to it in your release. #ParticipantNotPedAnnehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15325195365190586576noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8103021577378959995.post-47059721742536524472015-07-20T19:26:28.356+01:002015-07-20T19:26:28.356+01:00Brilliantly written letter!!! It was shared on run...Brilliantly written letter!!! It was shared on run to be Facebook group and I shared it on FB and Twiiter. Many people are behind you and hope you get a full apology and full support for the length of the marathon, however long it takes you!!<br />Let us know if they see the light and respond.<br />Good luck and hope you have a good run.<br />Who are they to say how long it should take - are all of them running??<br />Best wishes Maritahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13325620384806220029noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8103021577378959995.post-65560244462794739482015-07-20T19:14:07.518+01:002015-07-20T19:14:07.518+01:00Oh my goodness, Claire! That is so not cool of the...Oh my goodness, Claire! That is so not cool of them! I'm a very new runner and I have nothing but good things to say about the running community so far so this really disappoints me.<br /><br />I agree absolutely with your belief in and admiration of the runners at back of the pack .....<br /><br />What a tremendous, heartfelt and sensible letter!<br /><br />I hope they revise their rules and you can go out there and show them what you're made of soon!Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05967917097219380676noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8103021577378959995.post-18843799170053141332015-07-20T12:57:10.196+01:002015-07-20T12:57:10.196+01:00Hi Claire, I'm sure you have read various resp...Hi Claire, I'm sure you have read various responses to your complaint. Quite a few saying you really you have read the website properly before entering. Also that perhaps if you know you are going to 7 hours, then the first ting you should do is contact the race director personally to discuss it with them. These are things to consider for next time.<br /><br />I think it's great you want to run, but you must respect the event organisers decisions. My suggestion would be to go out there and be determined to train hard and beat 6 hours. You CAN do that you know. If you are determined. If you really, really want to run....then have a goal....make a commitment to train. Do hill sessions, speed interval sessions, tempo runs and long runs. Go out running 4-5 times a week, like other runners who are determined to improve their times. I'm not saying you haven't worked hard...but work harder. Run a marathon in under 6 hours. Go on. Do it.Stephen Cousinshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03803878258835213927noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8103021577378959995.post-14222494201706397952015-07-19T14:22:55.588+01:002015-07-19T14:22:55.588+01:00Well said Claire this is a case of discrimination ...Well said Claire this is a case of discrimination and if you have paid you should be able to finish no matter what time you make. And start at the front xAnonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10839899795643651100noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8103021577378959995.post-50075124710733256382015-07-19T14:22:46.036+01:002015-07-19T14:22:46.036+01:00Well said Claire this is a case of discrimination ...Well said Claire this is a case of discrimination and if you have paid you should be able to finish no matter what time you make. And start at the front xAnonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10839899795643651100noreply@blogger.com