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Cheers Donato. Awesome video. Wow. What a beautiful but brutal run. Huge congratulations on a brilliant run.

Well run Donato that was a tough race thanks for a great video it’s inspired me to have a crack at it next year👍

Great fell race well done

I did one of my long-runs there while on holiday and even the roads were tough. I ran one hill and was "toast" at the end of it. Gorgeous part of the world, lovely running location, but by eck you have to be tougher than me!!

The numbers of people trying to get in has gone crazy this year, Manchester nearly fully booked as well, new running boom

Good job, tough race, getting it done! Fun to run on grass at start and finish

Motivation for me is whatever gets you up out of bed and enthused to set at it.

No I’m not there those registered are far too fast for me hope it all goes well for you I’m loving the videos 👍

I feel for you, Donato. I did do that course before it no joke well done mate. 😂

Donalto I did the Beacon race one year & there is no doubt that is the hardest race I have done.

Well done, Donato. Looked like a tough old challenge. Pleased you recovered ok after a lie down. Hills, mud and dodgy terrain aren’t everybody’s thing and that’s fine. Sub 50 is a really good effort.

Good luck at great north run hope you qualify

I’m like 11 years old young boy and for some reason I kind of like French vanilla I had it today but it’s super hot for my mouth. I’m out for hot stuff so I blow on the cap of the coffee because it’s so damn hot😮‍💨🥵 but although it’s good🙂‍↔️😋😋 but when I today after a event, I got my mom a dark roast and a pastry, but for some reason I tripped on a curve and then my pastry was crushed, and I was sad of it😢 what happened? I was very angry so I had to go to the first aid booth and got myself fixed but for some reason, I had to sign a bunch of stuff until I can get like a Band-Aid just to know that I’m safe my knee and I just said to myself, I just wanna do one simple thing but sometimes I always have to fail anyways yeah, although it’s pretty good coffee

Well done looks amazing place

Hi Donato, Glad you recovered and well done for a great run. I love a good trail race myself. I’m tentatively starting my comeback after recurring injuries/ illnesses….don’t want to tempt fate so fingers crossed. Take care out there 😊

Love them

I don't bother with the ballot as my view is that if you want a place badly enough you'll train and get a GFA. I'd go with your second suggestion but perhaps suggest evidence of completing a licensed half marathon would shown sufficient commitment that a marathon offer would not be wasted.

And how long did it take to fully charge it?

12th no, perhaps one day....

100% agree with your first point that anyone who has done the London Marathon already should not be considered for the ballot. Not too sure on the second point as it could be a runner's first marathon that they want to aim for. I think the weighted system should be brought in for the ballot that based on your previous rejection rate, does help you with your chances. (This wouldn't be too difficult to implement in their IT system that processes the ballot - in fact, it would be quite easy to do). London Marathon will never listen to any of this due to their succession rate and they will only take notice if a celebrity who runs comes out and promotes the issue (or a runner who has competed to an Olympic level in the country). I have sent emails to some celebrities who always do the marathon (eg Chris Evans) and they have not responded as they do not want to rock the boat for themselves.

Muff Almighty

I got a no thru the ballot. Best mate also got a no. I guess there will be some who will be walking the route though. Charity places: £100 admin fee to pay if running for a charity, then a £2000 min to raise, it's a lot of money to try and raise.

they need to make it more like Western States - where you gain tickets by entering each year, so you are more likely the more years you enter - my 5th year no luck have runtwice for charity but now theres a 100 quid admin fee just to apply! and you have to raise so much, its really difficult - my first year i had to raise over 6000 pounds

Why wouldn't work from top to bottom of window but thanks ?🪟

Still think I'm 18 years old but I'm in my late 50s finding it a lot more difficult to run ultras . Thanks for a kick up the back side video unfortunately it's so true

I entered for the 4th time and my sis in law entered for 1st time ever.. She got in and I didn't.. 😂😂😂x

do it like Manchester on a first come first serve basis

Nope, third failure in a row. On a waiting list for a charity place but doubtful I’ll get the nod. However NYC 25 is looking promising

Cheers Donato. Points system, guaranteed entry after x amount of rejections are all feasible options in a fair world. Do you really think London care about being fair? They absolutely love seeing anguished posts from those rejected as it fuels the hype. At same time they will hand out places to those who’s faces fit into their marketing. Ps. I haven't entered ballot either but with respect, it's easy for us to not enter ballot when we already have a guaranteed GFA place.

Failed,.

Both very sensible ideas.

Controversial, no , common sense I say. They’ve also reduced club places by approximately 25%😢

Completely agree, all great suggestions. Someone put this man in charge.

I have a feeling Manchester will be more popular than ever despite (or in fact because of) taking place on the same day. Such is the demand for London how good would it be to have two, or even three, huge marathon events taking place across the country on the same day? The demand is clearly there if so many enter the ballot

According to Merlin Bird ID app, that is a Common Reed Warbler. It had trouble identifying the bird call until I changed the location to Worcester, UK.

All good suggestions Donato. I'd like to see them put a marathon on twice per year, he'll 3 or 4 times a year. The demands there isn't it 😂

Great video! I didn’t get in to London marathon for the 10th year of trying, of course I’m disappointed but happy for people that have got in, in whatever format. Though I do find it a very frustrating process, where I see people who have got in year after year, and I agree with what charities do, but don’t agree with how much you have to raise. I think London marathon should be inclusive, whether you have run no marathons or 200, think anyone should enter, but agree with if you have run it, maybe you can’t apply for a place for x amount of years after running it. I have run quite a few marathons and ultras, and know there are plenty of decent and good races out there apart from London

detail❤

Failed again…..thank goodness 😂. Think it would have blown the budget for my 2025 running plans!

Nope didn't get in, but had a back-up plan, so got into Manchester Marathon instead.

It was quite close to the beginning of your running journey (and mine too) when we met all them years ago after the North London Half (start of 2016). Incredible what we have both done since, especially you being 12+ years my senior. The Birmingham Half in 2015 was also my first big race after running just one previous Half in Norwich about 5 years earlier (but not taking up running properly again until 2015). What was your PB for the Marathon before you ran 3:02 in Manchester this year Donato?

How you have this conversation & not talk nutrition baffles me. Recovery & Running in your 60's is all about nutrition and you need 2g of protein / 1 kg of body weight per day to repair all the micro tears of tendons/muscles/ligaments, something I can only achieve via shakes. I find recovery from races at 61 is moderately more protracted than in my 40's, but recovery from injury is 3x - 4x longer. Runner's Hip or Knee (Bursitis) in my 40's? a week, maybe 10 days. Now at 61, a month for sure. Shoe rotation game is strong, I'm still good on roads, but I stay away from Carbon shoes, don't want the additional forces & stress they impose upon mechanics - feet/knees/hips.

Agree 100% mate I’ve thought this for a while being 61 now times have got slower but fully rested and I mean fully I can still get to where I was 4/5 years ago I have found using creatine helps with my recovery on a personal level anyway… keep up the good work see you about on the banks of the river sometime 👍

Watched the whole video. It seemed to go on for ages! Very different watching a < 20 minute parkrun video (when there's no pace/time/distance overlays) than running a parking around 20 minutes. 5k is definitely an endurance effort! I'm 53 and am hoping to go sub-20 soon, and I've been watching a lot of videos lately for inspiration, hence why YT recommended your video. My PB Saturday just gone (22 June 2024) was 20:15, with previous PB of 20:42 a couple of weeks before that. That's on a flat course at the coast with a bit of wind. Anyway, you're doing very well to be doing sub-20 minute 5.04kms at age 62. Inspirational. Well done, and long may you be able to enjoy running.

Really enjoyed that Donato, having broken 90 minutes for the first time at weekefor 1/2 @ 62, still believe we can accomplish great things, but we do for sure need longer recovery times. If we get our planning right we can certainly race hard but it's a big if, getting that mix right, perhaps recovery trumps racing.

Spot on👍. Still struggling with injury and recovery from Manchester half. Attempting the 5Km qualifying myself at Morecambe this Friday, but my first rule for racing is enjoy whatever the time.👍

Some thoughts. You can 'over-race', and indeed 'over-train,' at any age. Reflecting on my younger self I was definitely guilty of this. You feel you can run on the edge .... forever. No you can't. You produce disappointing results or you get injured. There is no doubt that you are perceptive and self-analytical. However, you appear to make the same unfortunate decisions as many of us do. Whatever our ages. You appear to admit to 'over-racing'. Ask yourself why is this? If you want to achieve a specific goal/time, you must respect what is needed to achieve your goal, You can't take for granted that your body will perform at your beck-and-call. You need to take care of it. Recovery and nurture. Prepare properly for goal races. Did you do this for the Wythhall & Hollywood? If you did .... well you roll the dice and get the result. Ce la vie. If you didn't .... well that's back to you. Just turning 65 next month and can appreciate your perspective. Looking to break 20 for 5K after slipping under 21 last month. Not run/raced for over 25 years and got the bug again last year. Great, isn't it !!!

Really good video Donato, I have been running for around 12 years haven’t had an injury that has stopped me from running for more than a week, soon as I turn 60 November last year got a knee injury stopped me from running for nearly 3 months, slowly getting better did my first half marathon last weekend in a ok time, so your video came at the right time, interesting facts about over 60s runners, thanks Donato 🥳👊🏼👍✌️👣🏃🏽‍♂️✅

Thanks Donato, for your very interesting and thought provoking video. Thanks too for the unbeatable cat and duck action!

Train from Hereford to London Paddington class 800 201