I emailed them asking if they'd make an exception since I ran a 1:15 half in 2008 and have been out of running for over a year with various injuries, but got denied. So now I have one shot to qualify in January and am scrambling to get into 1:23 shape.
New policies arise to manage 42,000 runners. Race elsewhere. It's better than it was 10 years ago.
If I think I have a shot at qualifying I will be running the Warner Robins half on January 16. It's a flat, fast course with prize money and isn't too far for me. Check out the website if you are serious about qualifying for NY. http://robinspacers.org/museum/index.htm
About the lottery, I think there are only like 7-8,000 spots. I thinks its about < 10% to get in.
The accept about 50,000 entrants remember, a bunch of people don't show up. There were 43,000+ finishers this year.
The Manhattan half is on 1.24.2010 I believe. That's probably why the qualifying window end on 1.25.2010.
The NYC Half is on 3.21.2010 and is a pretty fast course. It is not $100 (at least it wasn't last year), but is $65 for members I think and $5 if you are not a member. Problem is that mid-to-late March can still have crappy winter weather in NYC, but it won't be 80 degrees and humid.