Best spring marathons to OTQ

Also wondering. I'm registered for Houston but had some mild injury snags and schoolwork that rolled me, and really am not sure I can be ready so soon. Trying to judge whether I go down there just to get a feel for the marathon distance, or save my pennies are try for Ottawa or something. I ran Boston in the past (current PR) but haven't run a marathon in the past year.

On that note - does anyone know how stringent it is to get in the Elite Wave at Boston? OTQ-attempts won't make it in, right?

Looking at Strava activities for Ottawa, it does seem to be rolling and a significantly slower course than others. The GAP (grade-adjusted pace) on Strava adjusts for elevation changes each mile, and for these marathons says:

- Grandma’s: about equivalent to a fast course. It’s net downhill but has some slight hills, which cancels out

-Boston: says the net downhill is worth ~75 seconds compared to a flat course, even with the hills late in the race. Does that seem right??

- Ottawa: about 90 seconds slower than totally flat course.

- Rotterdam: about 50 seconds slower than totally flat course

Do those seem right?

OTQ Hopeful wrote:

not even a running nerd wrote:

London is a record legal course and I'm shocked that you wouldn't know that.

Boston and CIM are not "grandfathered in" technically speaking. They are OTQ legal courses under the rules as would any new course with similar dimensions.

Someone told me that a course wasn't allowed to be point to point other than those grandfathered in, though it seems like that isn't true.

Were they thinking world record eligible as opposed to OTQ?

The Illinois Marathon in Champagne is small, but the course looks pretty fast. From what I've heard and read, it is a very well run event. It is also sanctioned and certified. Last year, three guys ran 2:21 and it looks like there are typically guys in the low 2:20s although no one has ever run sub 2:20 there. It is run on the last weekend of April.

BONUS - they pay $3000, $1300, $700 to the top 3 plus a bonus of $500 if anyone breaks the course record (2:20:34). So, it sounds like you could have a shot at $3500. I plan on racing there, so maybe I should not be encouraging any other fast guys to sign up... I will be looking more for 2:22 than 2:19, I think.

Do you need competition or people to run with? Or are you interested / able to go for a solo effort?

Are you looking for a small payday as well?

You mentioned wineglass so presumably you're in the NE?

Cleveland is the weekend before Memorial Day, is decently competitive and is flat.

Ottawa and Buffalo are both on Memorial Day weekend in late May. Ottawa is competitive but not pancake flat, Buffalo is flat but way less competitive.

To back up my thoughts above:

https://runsignup.com/clevelandmarathon/results#resultSetId-117476

https://www.clevelandmarathon.com/events/marathon.aspx

http://maps.onemillionrevolutions.org/map.jsp?mapID=19050

http://scorethis-results.com/Results.php?raceid=20180527BFLM

https://www.sportstats.ca/display-results.xhtml?raceid=42854

didn't find elevation profile of ottawa upon quick search.

OTQ Hopeful wrote:

Looking at Strava activities for Ottawa, it does seem to be rolling and a significantly slower course than others. The GAP (grade-adjusted pace) on Strava adjusts for elevation changes each mile, and for these marathons says:

- Grandma’s: about equivalent to a fast course. It’s net downhill but has some slight hills, which cancels out

-Boston: says the net downhill is worth ~75 seconds compared to a flat course, even with the hills late in the race. Does that seem right??

- Ottawa: about 90 seconds slower than totally flat course.

- Rotterdam: about 50 seconds slower than totally flat course

Do those seem right?

Those are not accurate at all. Rotterdam is the fastest course (with the exception of a massive tailwind at Boston or Grandma’s). The total elevation gain for Rotterdam on Strava is way off. The only “hill” is the Erasmus Bridge which picks up only 40 feet of elevation. You cross that twice.

"Boston fast if you run it right (ie hall 204 and the current course record)"

GBohannon wrote:

The Illinois Marathon in Champagne is small, but the course looks pretty fast. From what I've heard and read, it is a very well run event. It is also sanctioned and certified. Last year, three guys ran 2:21 and it looks like there are typically guys in the low 2:20s although no one has ever run sub 2:20 there. It is run on the last weekend of April.

BONUS - they pay $3000, $1300, $700 to the top 3 plus a bonus of $500 if anyone breaks the course record (2:20:34). So, it sounds like you could have a shot at $3500. I plan on racing there, so maybe I should not be encouraging any other fast guys to sign up... I will be looking more for 2:22 than 2:19, I think.

Dang, this looks awesome (and reasonably close). I assume you got a comped entry as well?

Garmin_Guy wrote:

GBohannon wrote:

The Illinois Marathon in Champagne is small, but the course looks pretty fast. From what I've heard and read, it is a very well run event. It is also sanctioned and certified. Last year, three guys ran 2:21 and it looks like there are typically guys in the low 2:20s although no one has ever run sub 2:20 there. It is run on the last weekend of April.

BONUS - they pay $3000, $1300, $700 to the top 3 plus a bonus of $500 if anyone breaks the course record (2:20:34). So, it sounds like you could have a shot at $3500. I plan on racing there, so maybe I should not be encouraging any other fast guys to sign up... I will be looking more for 2:22 than 2:19, I think.

Dang, this looks awesome (and reasonably close). I assume you got a comped entry as well?

I just turned in my "Elite Application" on Tuesday and have not officially heard back yet. They did respond to verify that they got it and said they would be back in contact soon. I am pretty sure I will get a comped entry; they list 2:37 as the suggested cutoff time. I will post again when I get a response.

Boston would be your best target race and if the weather isn't right, you can use it as a hard training run and practice whatever you need to during the race. Then gear up for Grandma's marathon to end your training cycle. Rest up, and build back up again if needed for a fall/winter attempt at an OTQ.

If you end up racing Grandma's, you mentioned you have 4 weeks less of training for CIM as a last ditch effort. Well, if you plan to run something last minute and just want to get into the trials, perhaps you can race Houston instead of CIM as a complete last ditch effort. Get an extra 4 weeks and just pray you have enough left to run a decent time at the Trials come February. Good Luck! I'll be doing Boston this (2019) year and looking for an OTQ. But, you could do something like this:

Spring

Boston (main spring race)

Grandma's (back-up)

Fall/winter

Chicago (main fall race)

CIM/Houston (back-up)

Also, i'm guessing if you have a 2:25 or faster, you might get into the top seed with the elites, you would just have a low number and not your name on the bib.

vivalarepublica wrote:

stateroftheoblivious wrote:

Grandma's is on almost the longest day of the year. Early start to beat the heat. Meaning a real early wake up call.

The weather has been getting iffy over the last 20 years.

If it's cool with the wind off the lake it can be very fast.

Last year Kellyn Taylor ran 2:24:28 for US #7.

If it's hot or if the wind is in your face you are screwed.

Don't pick the last race in your list of options.

Pick an earlier one so that if the weather gods hate you,

you can use it as a training run for a few miles then

drop out and target the backup marathon.

The problem with Grandma's as a backup option is the travel and lodging is expensive AF if you decide to sign up late. Not exactly a boatload of rooms in the Duluth area.

Grandmas is great. Assuming you have the times they will put you in with a host family. I always get the same place on the island real close to the finish and events.

For Rotterdam, it looks like the hill the second time across the bridge is more like 100 feet; from -30 feet to over 70 feet. It also looks like there is another 50 foot gentle climb in the last couple miles.

did wrote:

Do you need competition or people to run with? Or are you interested / able to go for a solo effort?

Are you looking for a small payday as well?

You mentioned wineglass so presumably you're in the NE?

Cleveland is the weekend before Memorial Day, is decently competitive and is flat.

Ottawa and Buffalo are both on Memorial Day weekend in late May. Ottawa is competitive but not pancake flat, Buffalo is flat but way less competitive.

To back up my thoughts above:

https://runsignup.com/clevelandmarathon/results#resultSetId-117476https://www.clevelandmarathon.com/events/marathon.aspxhttp://maps.onemillionrevolutions.org/map.jsp?mapID=19050http://scorethis-results.com/Results.php?raceid=20180527BFLMhttps://www.sportstats.ca/display-results.xhtml?raceid=42854

didn't find elevation profile of ottawa upon quick search.

Answers:

- Definitely want competition / people to run with. Criteria for a good race would be this, a fast course, and good weather.

- Payday isn't a big factor - I work full-time and am financially stable, so care more about getting the time than making some money

- Not in the NE, but willing to travel to make it happen. Europe is obviously a bigger cost than others so would need to be a big advantage over other options

OTQ Hopeful wrote:

Gap Mangione wrote:

Those are not accurate at all. Rotterdam is the fastest course (with the exception of a massive tailwind at Boston or Grandma’s). The total elevation gain for Rotterdam on Strava is way off. The only “hill” is the Erasmus Bridge which picks up only 40 feet of elevation. You cross that twice.

For Rotterdam, it looks like the hill the second time across the bridge is more like 100 feet; from -30 feet to over 70 feet. It also looks like there is another 50 foot gentle climb in the last couple miles.

The clearance below the bridge is 41 feet and the lowest point in the entire country is 22 feet below sea level.

Nagano marathon was mentioned earlier in the thread. Does anyone here have experience or thoughts about this race? It's hard to judge the impact that the elevation profile would have on times; it's not pancake flat, but there aren't major hills.

Nagano is at 2500+ feet so I don't think that would be a good option.

areusure? wrote:

vivalarepublica wrote:

The problem with Grandma's as a backup option is the travel and lodging is expensive AF if you decide to sign up late. Not exactly a boatload of rooms in the Duluth area.

Grandmas is great. Assuming you have the times they will put you in with a host family. I always get the same place on the island real close to the finish and events.

Did not know that. Thanks. Entry fees and travel to Duluth are still quite a bit, but if money is less of a concern that should not a problem.

Also, I looked up some of the times for the big spring European marathon not named London and they seem worth a look. They have been mentioned here, Rotterdam, Paris, Hamburg all have good depth. Vienna, Prague, Rome less depth, but still better than pretty much every North America 'thon not named Boston.

vivalarepublica wrote:

areusure? wrote:

Grandmas is great. Assuming you have the times they will put you in with a host family. I always get the same place on the island real close to the finish and events.

Did not know that. Thanks. Entry fees and travel to Duluth are still quite a bit, but if money is less of a concern that should not a problem.

I'm guessing his entry would be comped if he's going for an OTQ. Not sure where OP lives though, which would effect the travel. If he's considering London, then this probably isn't an issue though.