Is it too early to start this 
Technically I’ve got a race as I’ve deferred my Brass Monkey place this weekend, I’ll need to pay again but didn’t fancy that much distance this weekend when I knew I’d get carried away and not jog round 
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I have entered Manchester Marathon today.
Target 3h10m - 3hr20m
PS £85 with fees… tier one had gone, think that was £79 with fees
Tier 2 was £79 plus the £5.xx booking etc
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I went to the dentist this morning. My dentist (V55 category) ran Manchester (2hr51m) on Sunday and “felt pretty OK today” - he didn’t even take yesterday off of work. I’m in pieces for days after a marathon. He’s running London on Sunday as well - as you do (he’s not quite as bonkers as TC though).
Anyway, he mentioned that he might run London next year again but try and raise money for charity. The charity he was thinking of is Myeloma UK (Multiple Myeloma is a blood cancer) - which he remembered was what my mum had (and some TT family members). He then said maybe we should both run London next year… They only way I’m getting on that start line would be a charity place and this would anyway be the only charity on my mind. He gets a GFA every year easily but for me it would charity or ballot.
Hmn… maybe I should chat to him some more about this…
PS. He said that he thought Manchester at the weekend was excellent - he thoroughly recommends it.
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I had differing experiences at Manchester, first time in 2017 was utter misery but partly my fault, although there seemed to be long dull sections without much support.
Second time about 4 years ago was much better, slightly different course, much better support, it’s a big field so lots of people to follow.
I’m sure you could get a GFA but would involve some focus and a qualifying race before it opens!
Easier said than done!
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Yeah, if I were to try for a GFA what I’d probably do is hope to get a good block of training and then run one of the Goodwood racing track marathons - you can pretty much enter these at any time up to the day of the race (and they’re only about 8 miles from home so no logistics to worry about) - but you’ll be exposed to the elements on that course and hardly any sheltering/drafting with other runners. As you say I’d need to focus and not get injured - and I’d need a marathon PB on the day. Easy.
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I’d realistically need 3h - 3h2m for GFA (wiggle room)… officially 3h07m atm, until they drop it again.
I thought I was close at one point but I’m not so sure now.
My current VDOT has me at 3h12 high, Runalyze at 3h12m30, Garmin 3h12m50, various other estimates / methods in the 3h16 - 3h20 bracket.
If I did six weeks with long runs with some quality I am certain I could achieve a significant PR, although we will never know because I am not going to try it. 
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PS any one doing Manchester 2027 and thinking of doing a 18 week Marathon training plan that would start on 14/12/2026
And,
London ballot opens this Friday
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I age up to V55 this year, so have a shot at GFA if I could get a good block of injury free running in.
That is a very big IF though at this age!
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Its only 5 minutes slower though.
3h12 isnt it?
Yeah, it’s not much slower, but every little helps!
Ironman have already started spamming me for 2027 races opening and to be quick!
Fruity can relax for now as Lanza wasn’t mentioned 
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Cape Town has been confirmed as the eighth marathon major for 2027.
Doesn’t particularly appeal and still think I’ll stop if I ever get into Tokyo!
Tokyo is the only major I’d be interested in.
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How does this work? Is there qualifying criteria that a marathon has to meet to be considered?
Or am I being cynical in that it’s a commercial decision as people chase the full house?
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Bit of both I think, they want to expand the majors and quite a few applied, Sydney got in last year and now this one. Vaguely recall about 4 got shortlisted a couple of years ago.
I think it’ll expand and is as much to raise their profile. But big city marathons are still popular.
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$$$$$$$$$$
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Google says:-
To become an Abbott World Marathon Major, a race must undergo a rigorous, multi-year candidacy process and consistently pass AbbottWMM’s operational, safety, and promotional criteria for two consecutive years. (Candidate Races)]
A marathon seeking this prestigious status must meet the following core benchmarks:
- Operational Excellence: Flawless execution of large-scale logistics, encompassing elite runner management, expansive start/finish staging, secure road closures, and accurate timing.
- Global Broadcast and Media: The ability to produce international television coverage and attract a global audience.
- Elite Field Competitiveness: The capacity to draw the top-tier professional marathon and wheelchair athletes in the world.
- Mass Participation and Demand: Massive field sizes, coupled with high demand for general entry (usually managed via public ballot or strict qualifying times).
- Anti-Doping and Medical Standards: Strict enforcement of World Athletics anti-doping protocols and the implementation of world-class medical and safety facilities along the course.
- Substantial Financial Investment: Major corporate sponsorship and a significant local economic impact.
The series consists of the Tokyo, Boston, London, Sydney, Berlin, Chicago, and New York City Marathons, with the Sanlam Cape Town Marathon officially confirmed as the eighth member
So basically an Elite field, promotion, closed roads, field size or to put it another way £££££££££
Shanghai next then, most probably…
More than 150,000 people registering for the Shanghai Marathon every year.
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If anyone is feeling wealthy the 70.3 WC in 2027 is going to be in Chattanooga, apparently it was there in 2017 and Gomez won it. Probably won’t be the downstream swim though!
Late August so probably hot as well, but could be a nice holiday at the same time.
My guess is that the cost and travel might make rolldowns a bit longer from European races, qualifying starts in early July.
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I’ve done the Shanghai marathon quite a few times and when they announced their major candidacy the price for foreigners shot up from around £60 to over £100. Still remains about £30 for Chinese nationals though - extremely good value at that price
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