Just to add, we had 4 applicants for the places at the original deadline, not 3.

God rest us merry gentlemen (women) - not us! but we will for another 2 weeks! Not even gold, frankensence and myrrh could sway you?

So, the odds are lenghthening. As things stand, it's a bit like Strictly Come Marathoning. Someone must leave the show for good tonight after the run-off. For the record, I'm prepared to have my credentials fully examined by Alesha Dixon.

We three (OK, four) runners from North Herts are
One on his high horse, one in a car
One on a scooter bibbing his hooter
Following yonder star...

This is turning into quite a marathon thread.

Rossi - it was only 26 miles - you've now added the 0.2.

I've spelt out 'Statto for London' with weed killer on the cricket pitch.

I have some sympathy for you, you wanted something that no one else wanted.

A marathon thread - but we do need to travel afar! Us Wise men (+1?) will see amid the winter snow, great tidings of great joy will bring to Statto and his running men! So hark the herald squirrels sing!

"I've spelt out 'Statto for London' with weed killer on the cricket pitch."

Boris won't be happy about that.

... and lo, the the three wise men were actually four and they in their turn were joined by a number of shepherds, who had been keeping watch over their flocks by night in the fields nearby, when ...

An angel of the Club appeared to them, and the glory of NHRR shone around them, and they were afraid. But the angel said to them, "Do not be afraid. I bring you glad tidings of great joy. Today in the town of Letchworth, three London Marathon places remain available. You will find the application forms wrapped in a Word document and lying in a website".

Merry Xmas to wise men, shepherds and angels all (and good luck in the draw)!

The deadline for applications has now been reached (AND Statto, it will not be extended!).

The draw will take place next Tuesday, 15th December.

Thanks Christine. You will still put my name in the hat though won't you?!

We three kings of Nhrr
Wearing our our luminous yellow
weve travelled so far
field and mountain,moor and marathon
Guide us to the perfect outcome!

Peace on earth and goodwill to all squirrels

Just 5 'hits' to go before the magic 1000!

Drat - knew I was supposed to do something yesterday. Is there really no chance of extending the deadline?! I'd like to have a double entry just in case I get a horrible race number from my original entry.... just imagine getting 666!

Thankfully, I already have a place, courtesy of my "good for dog" time at the Barking marathon. I would have done an even faster time had it not been for the high concentration of lamp-posts on the course!

It's good to see that that Statto and his 'wise men' will have some compeition for a club-place, now that the shepherds been brought in from the fields. Given their remote working environment, it was only fair that they were given a little more time to understand what was going on in the stable.

All,

While shephards watched
this string with glee
one seated in Iraq
The Chairman of the Club came down
To sort out all the flak

Fear not she said
For mighty dread
Had seized their troubled minds
A marathon place I bring
To 3 of all mankind

To you in Letchworth
Town next week
A marathon draw will take place
The organiser who is Christine Sharp
Who's handled this just ace

Thus spake the Chairman
and forthwith
Will appear some lucky squirrels
3 runners praising luck who thus
shall represent the club.

All glory be to
those we choose
And to the rest be peace
God speed henceforth
From NHRR to them
Now train and never cease.

Happy Christmas to you all.

Rich

Dickie, you clearly have too much free time on your hands!!!

Lindsay - Exactly my thoughts!

I so want to hear Dickie singing his carol...... can I request a sing-a-long version is posted on this forum?

Tip for Dickie - you can record onto your mobile and then upload onto here.... then we can vote for different categories and give you marks /10 eg lyrics fitting to melody etc etc
But that's only if you have the time.....

Forget about X Factor. Dickie for Christmas number one!

This could be funny ! Come on Dickie, lets hear you!

I guess there is no one to blame
We're leaving ground (leaving ground)
Will things ever be the same again?
It's the final countdown.

How many wise early-birds will catch the worm, and which shepherds can start washing their marathon socks by night?

And the Three Kings left empty handed:

Wise Men Utd 0-3 AFC Shepherds (AET)

Utd made most of the running in this tense local derby, but failed to get on the score sheet. The Shepherds made a late rally, scoring three times deep into extra time.

Utd fans were unhappy that the game was not settled in 90 mins however, following a controversial disallowed goal in the 88th minute from highly rated veteran striker Roy Statto.

For those who weren't there last night the people who got the club marathon places were Richard Harbon, Nicky Kemp and Sue Foot. Wishing you good luck with the next few months of training, hope you remain injury free and that you enjoy (?) the race in April.

Commiserations to all the other applicants.

With goal line technology that would have been a goal Statto and in this winter wonderland you would be now training for the marathon, the back 3 or 4 it seems didnt get a look in! were they even in the hat?

I think one of the AFC Shepherds scorers also put the ball in their own net, but this went unnoticed by match officials. This may not be strictly against the rules, but some referees may have registered this own-goal under the GFA priciple, which I think stands for "Goal not For but Against".

Roy Keane has lambasted the Wise Men's attempts to get their controversial London Marathon Draw replayed.

The Wise Men appealed to FILMD (Federation International de London Marathon Draws) after their 3 - 0 aggregate defeat by the Shephards on the basis that the winning draw came after a blatant Basra Shephard late entry.

But Ipswich boss Keane said: "They can complain all they want but the Shephards are going to the London Marathon - get over it.

"The Shephards were there for the taking and the Wise Men didn't do it. Same old story."

The Irishman, who made 65 appearances for the Wise Men as a sheep, continued: "If I'd been there in the dressing room after the draw, I wouldn't be talking about the late entry. I'd focus on why the Wise Men didn't . They should've cleared it.

"These are skills and lessons you learn as a schoolboy.

Runners World Article

Merry Xmas Roy.