Could I go to the Olympics - Training

weirdo

13/04/2008 at 10:41

Okay to start with I probably have no chance. My last Marathon was 4 hours 15. Not fantastic but not bad.

I was however thinking that in 2012 I will be 34 and wanted to know what the process would be to compete in the Marathon at the olympics.

The obvious one is get a lot faster. But even if I was fast enough how would I qualify. Do you have to do a certain number of races? If so which ones?

As I say I am not delusional but was curious what someone would have to do.

Peter

Try Taffia

13/04/2008 at 11:29

A lot of work.

Local guy to me as we speak is running his guts out to qualify. He runs a lot of races. Want to wear british kit, qualify at age groups for tri

Grendel3

13/04/2008 at 11:34

Check out the Alex Velo thread the guy who has gone from running 4 hours something as a big fat bloke to around 2:30 in two years and his attempt to qualify for the Beijing Olympics

Edited: 13/04/2008 at 11:36

Big David

13/04/2008 at 11:34

You have to achieve a qualifying time.

I have been trying to find out what it is for 2008, and 2012, but I have not found that info so far.

If a lot of folks get the required time then you have to be one of the fastest to be selected.

Try Taffia

13/04/2008 at 11:37

richy gardner i looking for 2.12, dan robson is looking for 2.11.

rich was 3rd uk male last year, i think he needs 2nd

Grendel3

13/04/2008 at 11:47

SUb 2:11 big dave

weirdo

13/04/2008 at 17:12

So if I ran 2:11 in any marathon before 2012 I would get to go?

Surely it is more complicated than that.

Not that I could run 2:11!!!

Boniface Earl Jones

13/04/2008 at 17:36

2:11 and be selected. If there are 5 Brits under, say 2:10 and you run 2.10:30, the chances are you won't be selected.

The complicated bit is picking the right parents.

MikeB

13/04/2008 at 17:57

http://www.ukathletics.net/EasysiteWeb/getresource.axd?AssetID=17937&type=Full&servicetype=Attachment

Read the UK:A selection policy document.

sensible

14/04/2008 at 11:15

For this year, the A standard is 2.11 and the B standard is 2.15. In track events, any country can take up to three athletes if they have achieved the A standard within a set time period before the Olympics, normally Jan 2007 to August 2008 in this case. Think it's the same for the marathon but in World Champs they have sometimes allowed up to 5 in the team.

So, if you got sub 2.11 in the qualification period and no-one else did, you would go. If you and five others achieved it, then the selectors would have to choose which three ran, depending on factors such as pb, championship experience, age, potential etc.

Steel Magnolia

14/04/2008 at 12:02

You need to find a country with a low selection criteria. I think the Falklands had runners who were around the 3.30 mark last time? (or was it the commonwealths?)

PhilPub

14/04/2008 at 14:17

Hmmm... If it were me I'd check on citizenship requirements for Equatorial New Guinea and then brush up on my swimming.

Try Taffia

14/04/2008 at 14:21

Look at eddie the eagle and eric the eel.

Find a sport where the UK does not even have a standard that is high.

candy ollier

14/04/2008 at 15:01

eg football, cricket, rugby, beach volleyball or petanque

Try Taffia

14/04/2008 at 15:03

I don't think a hariy bloke is the image for beach volleyball!

marders

18/04/2008 at 22:21

Well, I hope my parents have helped in some way, inadvertently on the genes front, but more importantly, I get a more relaxed qualification criteria being from Equatorial New GuineaZealand! 2.15, only need to shave of 13 mins in about 4 years now, managed 30 mins over 7 months so can't be that hard

Johnny J

20/04/2008 at 20:12

The quicker you run the harder it gets to improve. You won't get anywhere near the standard on less than 100 miles a week.
JJ

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