York Unofficial Marathon

Interesting. It appears this is happening and I hear there are a few up for it, so my mate says anyway. She said there is a route on mapmyrun and she said there is an email address: yorkunofficialmarathon@hotmail.com

I'll give that a go and see what I get. Watch this space as they say.

I've heard a similar story I think I'll be up for that. Looks a good route, any idea how many people are turning up?

I'm not a member of a club so it would be nice to do a long run with some other people instead of just the Ipod for company!!

I guess there will be no way of telling unless the "organisers" have some idea through correspondance.

As someone that lives in York and does a few long runs around there I like the sound of it. I'm guessing there will be no markers, water stations or anything but I think if you try and loosely follow the route or run with others then what harm can be done. Sounds like a good opportunity to meet some other runners like you said.

I may well see you there!

Is the route on Mapmy run then? I've not looked yet.

I contacted the e-mail address and got a response.

It is on the event list but the date is for next year, they are going to amend that and confirmed it was 8am on Saturday 20th November 2010 (not 2011).

There is a map on mapmyrun called york unofficial marathon - that's the route. There are no marshals, water stations, tee-shirts - well anything really. It seems you are responsible for following the route or making your own one up! I looked on the map and there are some shops you run past where you could buy water. So it looks like it is just a bunch of runners that have set a route and are running it. I'm definitely going to turn up, what can go wrong!!!

He or she (they gave no name) did say that there is a pub next to the Museum Gardens where they are thinking of going to afterwards. It gets better and better!

I was also told that this was only dreamed up this week but they have had a few responses of people running some or all of the route.

Anyone else up for this?

Sounds like a good idea, & could be fun - but not sure about the traffic aspect?

If the runners are seen to be causing 'an obstruction' to the free-flow of the traffic, maybe the local Constabulary may put the brakes on it all, as it's not 'officially sanctioned'?? (

or could they??, seeing as it's not official?)

I'd be interested myself, but will be plunging through the mud, brambles & rocks of Baildon Moor that day at a Bingley Harriers event (ridden it in 07/08 & run it in 09)

http://www.bingleyharriers.co.uk/html/h_v_cyclists/hvc.htm

No More Nails wrote (see)

. The police can't stop people going for a run surely! They could nick the Knavesmire Harriers everytime they have a club run otherwise.

I know, but if the word spreads & (say??) 400 turn up................

Not trying to be a party-pooper, but just thinking of the safety aspects also

(perhaps someone should 'tip the wink' to the local Hospital/Yorkshire Ambulance Service?)

Well that's 400 people who would have to look out for themselves really. In the same way those people do when they run on their own. I'm pretty sure that you wouldn't get 400 or even 40 turn up but the number is really irrelevent.

It's not a competitive race so if someone is silly enough to push themselves to the limit when they know there is no one looking out for them then I'm afraid they'd only have themselves to blame. That won't happen anyway.

http://www.mapmyrun.com/run/united-kingdom/-york/604128630844044894.

This is the route. The "organisers" have stated that this route is to do the full 26.2 miles but they would encourage any level of runner to join at the start to run as much or as little as they like. There are loads of places for short cuts.

There's a link to a map that I put on previously that will show you where it is. There's a car park at the bottom of Marygate which is right near the start..

Museum Gardens open at 07:30 apparently

I am going to join! Great idea.