Does anyone know if the Boston marathon has a sub-elite developmental program similar to the one that Chicago has? I\'m going to register on September 9 and pay my entry fee on my own, I know I don\'t qualify for any entry/travel reimbursement, but is there someone I can contact to ensure that I\'m close enough to the line and get to do some striders around there?
Or does Boston just not do that unless you\'re a John Hancock Elite Athlete?
Depends, how fast are you? If you're in the first corral you'll be close enough to the line.
yeah, if you can't get in a few striders before a marathon, you are totally screwed.
You can mock me, but if you've participated in a US champs marathon as part of twin cities or run in the top-100 program in Chicago, you'll know that it makes a difference, and that there should be a different level of treatment for the guts who are running under 2:25. It's not just about the strides; I was just trying to provide an example but I guess you don't get it.
Thanks though!
I've done both, and while it's nice, I wouldn't say it makes that much of a difference. Not waiting in line for a bathroom is great, but it's not going to determine whether you run fast or not. The work you did in training is far more important than a couple strides before a 26 mile race.
Also I disagree with the idea that "there should be a different level of treatment for the guts [sic] who are running under 2:25." We really aren't any different from the vast majority of the runners at these races. We have no chance of winning, so what does it matter if we are not right on the line? I'm not going to discredit the amount of work you put in (as I am right there with you), but we don't deserve any special treatment.
the hills are alive wrote:
Does anyone know if the Boston marathon has a sub-elite developmental program similar to the one that Chicago has? I'm going to register on September 9 and pay my entry fee on my own, I know I don't qualify for any entry/travel reimbursement, but is there someone I can contact
I would encourage you to reach out to Marc Davis - mdavis (at) baa.org
There are two levels for the elites at Boston. One is called the John Hancock Elite Team, the other is just called the BAA Elite Team. John Hancock athletes are the sponsored pros and some others who are at the top of the field. The BAA elite team includes more people who get some special treatment for race weekend - A special bus to the start, elite fluid stations, and VIP tent at the finish. (Not hotels, flight, etc.) Those people are almost all shooting for an OT qualifying time. In total there's about ... maybe 30(?) each for men and women.
You should shoot an e-mail to the BAA to see what they say. It's worth a shot. From what I've seen, those BAA elite spots are usually taken up by NE/NY club team members and guys/girls who consistently perform well or are clearly capable of getting an OT type time. (Especially in the case of the women, who will have to run the race alone since they start ahead of the field.) In fact, I think the BAA elite team for the men may be even smaller because of this, but I'm not sure.
But either way, it shouldn't make that big a difference for you. The elite fluid station is by far the biggest advantage for the elite - not position on the starting line. Even if you start at the front of Corral 1 you should be swarmed in seconds if you don't go out at 5 minute pace.
As someone already posted, there is a BAA elite (the non-elite, elite group. Not sure what the standard is but I was given entry and had run 2:20.
OK, you win, I'll never do strides before a marathon again. Thanks for continuing to bump the thread so that people who actually know the answer to my question or have something otherwise meaningful to contribute to my knowledge of the Boston Marathon respond.