Who's entered the ballot for the Olympic Park Run? - General running

RoadRunner76

25/10/2011 at 16:27

5 mile run, finishing by crossing the line in the Olympic stadium. There are 5,000 places up for grabs, to be drawn by a ballot - if you're chosen, it's £15 entry fee which includes various goodies including a runner's t-shirt and two stadium tickets (for the event presumably).

I've entered, has anyone else? Hopefully I'll be getting a couple of park runs under my belt before that comes around.

Sussex Runner (NLR)

25/10/2011 at 16:34

You probably won't be able to move. Think it will be more a promotional event than a proper race/run

RoadRunner76

25/10/2011 at 16:37

I hope I'd be able to go at least at a sedate pace - if not, that's put a bit of a downer on that - no point just walking five miles, what's the fun in that? Probably won't get picked anyway.

Edited: 25/10/2011 at 16:38

Wilkie

25/10/2011 at 16:39

It's in the bottom ten of events I'd choose to do.

Do you have to run through the shopping centre to get to the stadium?

And £15 for a five miler?

seren nos

pirate

25/10/2011 at 16:42

5000 runners.only a 5 mile race and having to get into a stadium for a track finish............seems like there might be a bottle neck

fast runners maybe about 23 mins...........slow runners at 60 mins...so 5000 runners finishing within 38 minutes....all inside a stadium......can't imagin ethere not being a problem

Edited: 25/10/2011 at 16:44

FerrousFerret

25/10/2011 at 17:10

I'm actually quite excited about it, I've never run on an olympic track before. That said, if it's a rerun of my experience of applying for olympic tickets then I haven't got in.

Wilkie- IIRC it goes 'through' the olympic park. I don't recollect having seen a route map.

Sussex Runner (NLR)

25/10/2011 at 17:54

I don't recollect her saying it did. She asked a question.

WRXMANIA

25/10/2011 at 18:41

I have entered - once in a lifetime event I reckon, slow or fast.

Johnny J

25/10/2011 at 18:47

Don't raise your hopes too much.There's a 5000 limit and almost everyone I know has entered including most of my club.
JJ

RoadRunner76

25/10/2011 at 19:25

£15 for 5 miles does sound a bit steep, but most 5 mile runs don't finish crossing the Finish Line at the Olympic Stadium! Chances are I won't get picked, but it can't hurt to apply, eh?

What's annoying is they reserve the £15 on your account as soon as you enter, but only actually take the money if you get chosen. Between now and then that money's unavailable, which is a bit of a pain. But as others have said, it's a once in a lifetime event - but there are probably millions of runners around the country and that doesn't go into 5000. We'll see, eh?

Edited: 25/10/2011 at 19:26

The B Team

25/10/2011 at 20:20

I've entered. But on the basis that I've failed to get a FLM/VLM place 5 times in 6 years (the gap being missing applying, not that I was successful!), failed in the GNR every year since it went to a ballot system, and not getting a place in the first Kielder marathon last year which was done by ballot - i.e. every single race ballot I have ever entered, I'm not holding out much hope! I figure I probably have more chance qualifying for an actual Olympic place than being successful in the ballot (i.e. no chance whatsoever).

Edit to add: and I didn't get any olympic tickets either!!!

Edited: 25/10/2011 at 20:21

Badly Drawn Bloke

25/10/2011 at 21:03

Thanks for the heads up folks. Entered.

S_L_O

25/10/2011 at 21:15

I entered hoping that I may one day be able to show the grandchildren my Olympic medal...

Catalin Bond

25/10/2011 at 23:07

I entered. Not expecting to get in. Just thought it would be a nice way to see the stadium. Don't really care about times so (hopefully) won't mind bottlenecks.

Wilkie

26/10/2011 at 16:12

The organisers have really got the marketing right on this, I'll say that for them.

Making it a ballot so ALREADY people are saying "will I get in?" - nothing is as desirable as something unobtainable.

Making it a "once in a lifetime event" - will you be surprised if actually, since it was SO successful, they decide to hold it again the following year? I know I'm a cynical old bat, but I'd put a tenner on that!

And where is all the entry money going? Good causes? I couldn't see any information about that on the website.

Ultra AJH

pirate

26/10/2011 at 16:16

I entered. If I get in fine I get to see the olympic track and run on it. That would be cool.

If I dont then it wont ruin my life.

I dont know why people on here have to be so bloody miserable about everything.

Dont enter if you dont want.

geena p

26/10/2011 at 16:39

I've entered, it will be fun if I get in, if not I'm not going to be that bothered, just seems a nice way of seeing the Olympic park and stadium for the first time.

Perhaps they will put the event on again the next year, would I be interested? no probably not, I'd like to do it in the Olympic year, it wouldn't be so appealing otherwise.

RoadRunner76

26/10/2011 at 16:43

Ultra AJH wrote (see)

I entered. If I get in fine I get to see the olympic track and run on it. That would be cool.
If I dont then it wont ruin my life.
I dont know why people on here have to be so bloody miserable about everything.
Dont enter if you dont want.

That's how I see it - I know there's very little chance of being chosen, but if I am it'll be an amazing experience. If not, then so be it - it won't haunt me for the rest of my life or anything.

PhilPub

26/10/2011 at 16:58

Well it will literally be a once in a lifetime opportunity to enter the Olympic stadium and cross the line before any Olympic events take place. Hardly life changing but still pretty bloody cool. I'd be up for this if it wasn't likely to be way too soon into my injury rehab.

And 5,000 runners is hardly a guaranteed bottle-neck at the end of a 5 mile race is it? I can't see them sheperding you through turnstiles to get into the stadium, innit.

Funny Hat

26/10/2011 at 17:03

If you cant beat em !!

I have entered, if I get in I will do it walking in an Antique Divers Suit, should be finished a week later !!