Fancy achieving a world record at the London Marathon ?

seren nos wrote (see)

But as its not well known to those outside the running community or to those who live near one......it doesn't have a great potential to bring people into the sport

Cheerful Dave wrote (see)

seren nos wrote (see)

But as its not well known to those outside the running community or to those who live near one......it doesn't have a great potential to bring people into the sport

I'd disagree there.  They may not do much direct marketing, but when people who know I run ask me about it I do suggest parkrun as an easy way to try an organised event rather than just running alone. 

Cheerful Dave wrote (see)

seren nos wrote (see)

But as its not well known to those outside the running community or to those who live near one......it doesn't have a great potential to bring people into the sport

I'd disagree there.  They may not do much direct marketing, but when people who know I run ask me about it I do suggest parkrun as an easy way to try an organised event rather than just running alone.  The local running shop (run by a certain pirate) runs beginners courses for women (many of whom are middle aged housewives) that culminate in a parkrun.  OK, maybe some of those were inspired to start by watching a marathon, but many wouldn't get beyond wishful thinking without that stepping stone

But are they not already in the running community?

BTW Bristol parkrun starts  in April, with tests runs on 26th March and 9th April and hopefully going live on 23rd Spril

musketeer wrote (see)

But are they not already in the running community?

The running shop obviously is, but the folks on the course are beginners.  I don't think anyone's suggesting a parkrun would be the first time someone pulls on their running shoes.  Some people like to keep their running relatively low key at first, and parkrun is a great way of having something to aim for without the razzmatazz of RFL, for example.
 

We did have a guy with a fridge on his back at MK parkrun

Is there any cake left?

Wasn't this guy by any chance?!

Ultra Sparkly Bridget wrote (see)

We did have a guy with a fridge on his back at MK parkrun

Is there any cake left?

Jeepers wrote (see)

parkrunfan, while I agree with a lot of what you say, just check seren out before you go much further.

You might find, for eg that she runs park runs as part of her mara training. 

And that she's one of Forum Six. . .

I think it's fair to say that she has grasped what running is about in all honesty.

Just sayin' . . .

 I think it was taking in the spirit it was intended (or hopefully anyway?)

On the parkrun front, I did say 'if you havent already'

and the 'grasping what running was all about' was in direct response to the comments regarding fancy dress being a big part of attracting people to running. Thats all.

Anyway, just to throw some facts into the equation, the number of women in the early London marathons were:

1981 330 (4.3%)

1982 1,393 (7.7%)

1983 1,677 (8.5%)

1984 3,210 (15.2%)

So there was nothing wrong with the early tv coverage in terms of attracting women into the sport, in just 3 years there was a 10-fold increase in numbers and a 4-fold increase in the percentage of the field they comprised. Pretty impressive growth figures.

The women's times ranged from 2:21 to 8:25, so a complete range of abilities.

parkrunfan wrote (see)

Jeepers wrote (see)

parkrunfan, while I agree with a lot of what you say, just check seren out before you go much further.

You might find, for eg that she runs park runs as part of her mara training. 

And that she's one of Forum Six. . .

I think it's fair to say that she has grasped what running is about in all honesty.

Just sayin' . . .

 I think it was taking in the spirit it was intended (or hopefully anyway?)

On the parkrun front, I did say 'if you havent already'

and the 'grasping what running was all about' was in direct response to the comments regarding fancy dress being a big part of attracting people to running. Thats all.

Oh, OK, hadn't picked that up, sorry, thought it was aimed at seren. 

I've done the GNR and parkruns in fancy dress, not for charity - just for a bit of fun.  The kids watching love it and the support is really good.

I was very aware of trying not to get in anyones way, and made all efforts not to cause an inconvenience at the water stations.  To be honest all feedback I got from the other runners was positive, except maybe a couple of folks in the final mile who didn't wanna be beaten by a girl in a ballgown.

Having said that, linking 50 people together is daft, it may break some record, but I'd put money on the fact that there'll be injuries resulting from it on the way round.  I did some training in the big pink dress I wore, and it took a good while to get used to the size of the thing. 

I've seen the lasses at my local bootcamp trying to run together carrying a length of rope, it almost always ends up with one or two dropping off the end, and the rest crashing together in the middle.  I hope the 50 are gonna do at least a few training runs first

Jeepers wrote (see)

Jeepers wrote (see)

parkrunfan wrote (see)

Jeepers wrote (see)

parkrunfan, while I agree with a lot of what you say, just check seren out before you go much further.

You might find, for eg that she runs park runs as part of her mara training. 

And that she's one of Forum Six. . .

I think it's fair to say that she has grasped what running is about in all honesty.

Just sayin' . . .

 I think it was taking in the spirit it was intended (or hopefully anyway?)

On the parkrun front, I did say 'if you havent already'

and the 'grasping what running was all about' was in direct response to the comments regarding fancy dress being a big part of attracting people to running. Thats all.

Oh, OK, hadn't picked that up, sorry, thought it was aimed at seren. 

LOL

How about a pair of running shorts and a running vest? Outlandish I know, but it might just catch on if you're brave enough to start the trend.......

LS21 wrote (see)

I'm doing the Park Run tomorrow dressed as a pair of centipede testicles in a Bat Man outfit wearing an Elvis wig