Boston is closed

on-line article about the quick registration:

By Peter Vigneron

Runners with fleet feet but slow fingers are out of luck: registration for the 2011 Boston Marathon, which opened Monday morning at 9 a.m., is already closed.

“We knew it would be quick, but we had no way to predict how quick,” said Guy Morse, executive director of the Boston Athletic Association.

“We’re pleased with the interest, but not pleased when qualified runners are shut out,” Morse said.

Some runners reported trouble with the online sign-up portal when registration opened at 9 a.m., but those issues seem to have abated after mid-morning. Morse said he had not heard from any runners who were unable to sign up before 5 p.m. because of computer problems.

As the registration window has narrowed exponentially, Morse said that he will consider re-configuring the qualification and entry process for the 2012 marathon. “We have to find ways to make it efficient and fair,” he said. “We’ll look at everything.”

Boston Qualifying Standards:

OUT: 80 mile per week

IN: 80 words per minute

gansett is a BS wannabe race. they tout it as the only marathon with a qualifying standard which is nothing more than a slam on boston's charity runners who literally raise millions of dollars for the right to run. meanwhile, they only raise the bar by 5 minutes per age group and don't have the balls to say "F you ladies, you do NOT get a 30 minute head-start!"

you wanna make it a runners' race? make the women's qualifying times 110% of the men's times. 3:05 for men means ~3:23 for women.

get over yourself

And I'm sure there are plenty of assholes like me who registered not even knowing if he wants to do a spring marathon. Registered just to have the option. Its 50/50 if I do it or not, meaning my spot may go to waste. Figured its worth $130 to keep a spot open for myself. I would have to think there are 100s in a similar boat.

It is not typically thought of as a marathon where you need to qualify, but it really is and it's tougher to qualify than Boston for a guaranteed entry. Course is just as tactical and difficult. weather usually better too. I dont know why Boston is somehow thought of with more prestige except historically when Boston had similar if not tougher standards (sub 2:50).

Would like to see them go to a 2-stage entry system. Establish some new "A" standards for entry - significantly faster than the current standards. Give these people a set time period during which ONLY they can enter. If any spaces remain after the "A" standard and charity runners (assuming they want to keep those folks, which is fair enough), then allow runners with the slower "B" (current) times to enter.

Sure it's more complicated than the current system, but it's probably a good way to get a better quality field - something that's historically been a point of pride for this event.

Can anyone provide a historical change of standards?

was 2003 the only year that changed it? also it would be great to see a change of average finishing times over the years.

What the hell does "raising millions" have to do with the race?

Why don't they do a walk a thon on the course another day? It would be in Boston. Same course. Same distance.

Oh right. Then it wouldn't have the same presitge right?

And why does the race have prestige?

Why not allow a one month period in which everyone can enter (preferably starting after NYC) and take the top XXXX times from each age group. That way you're getting the best of the best in each category and you don't have a 3:09:59 guy getting in ahead of a 2:28 guy because he can refresh his Internet browser faster.

The only downside of this is there wouldn't be a definite qualifying time for people to strive for, but I suppose it's an incentive to work harder and restore Boston to its former elite status.

Today's spectacle raises some interesting questions about the running industry/sport in the USA in general.

1) What will happen when the recession is over?

For a couple of years, people have been laid off or forced to work fewer hours. People have responded by working on "bucket list" items like the marathon, and spending more time exercising. Yes, people are spending $130 on a entry fee and other money on travel, but running is still a relatively cheap activity. At this rate of expansion, the Boston Marathon will eventually lose its luster and people will find something else to do with their money when they have it again.

2) What will be the race that captures the economic spillover of the Boston Marathon?

Clearly there are thousands of people looking for another spring marathon with a unique element, will another city step up and create a unique event out is still debatable or even if they can. Lots of great ideas from people posting on how to improve the entry conditions for Boston, but another race could step up. It won't be a small rural race in RI (sorry guys), because part of Boston is the incorporation of spectators.

3) Do any marathoners work non-desk jobs?

Although not 100% of those signed up today fit this category, with a 9am - 5pm sign up period, there was a large pool of people that had access to a computer during work time to sign up. This isn't like a concert that sells out in 10minutes because people can call up ticketmaster from their cell phone. I always get worried when a sport limits its entrants to only a select group of people (that doesn't mean it can't be selective on qualifying time because that gives people opportunity to improve).

4) Was this a good or bad day for the Boston Marathon?

Record demand, pissed off people not getting in, issues with computers, national media attention: might be a mixed bag.

Fukuoka anyone? wrote:

Why not allow a one month period in which everyone can enter (preferably starting after NYC) and take the top XXXX times from each age group. That way you're getting the best of the best in each category and you don't have a 3:09:59 guy getting in ahead of a 2:28 guy because he can refresh his Internet browser faster.

The only downside of this is there wouldn't be a definite qualifying time for people to strive for, but I suppose it's an incentive to work harder and restore Boston to its former elite status.

Love it!

They do have a walk a thon on the course another day and that gets even more people than the Marathon.

http://www.jimmyfundwalk.org/htmlcontent.asp?cid=98617

My post from an earlier thread:

Everyone needs to understand, the BAA doesn't give a shit about who is in the race as long as it fills.

About the only people who care about what the race used to be and the qualifying standards hang around here.

And the BAA, I think they'd rather have 20 lbs overweight 5 hour running soccer mom because she'll bring her family and spend more money than a 2:40 guy.

What kinds of stories do you hear more of before the race. A 2:30 guy out of college, a 35 year old training for a 3:10, or Mary Beth Appleass raising money for charity?

Sad to say, but the old Boston is gone forever. Next there will probably be a lottery instead of Q times.

I don't like that idea since all courses are not alike.

The best solution is to have a two week registration period where everyone can enter - say starting on Nov 1st to Nov 15th.

Those with a qualifying time 15 minutes faster than the qualifying existing time get an automatic entry.

The BAA then could spend two or three weeks to verify the times.

There would be a variable rate of extra open spots. Run a lottery on say December 1st based on people who have run a marathon under the existing qualifying times to fill the available spots.

Give the BAA another month to verify people who won the lottery have really run qualifying times.

Have a second lottery for spots opened up from those who wanted to defer their entry and for spots who had won the lottery who really did not have a valid qualifying time in early January.

A three step process that would not be hard to implement.

I'm wondering will they not allow people going for OT qualifying times to enter if they missed the entry deadline? ie men who have run 2:20-2:21, women who have run like 2:49? I can't believe how stupid the registration system is when compared with NYC, Chicago, Houston, etc.

dean moriarty wrote:

I registered on February 13th when I ran in 2007. What changed between then and now!?

Panic set in.

"And the BAA, I think they'd rather have 20 lbs overweight 5 hour running soccer mom because she'll bring her family and spend more money than a 2:40 guy."

OK, first off, the BAA, who I am supposed to hate (and sometimes do) because I run for Whirlaway and we're like the Brewers compared to the Yankee-like BAA, is not just a bunch of assholes.

In my capacity as a club rep and president, I wrote many letters on many topics to Guy and to Gloria Ratti and got personal, kind responses each and every time. Mike Pieroni has always been solid with me as well.

Second, the idea that they would actually think in such a manner as to favor a "5 hour soccer mom" because of the economic impact she would have over anyone else is ludicrous and is coming from someone who I imagine also thinks we never landed on the moon.

The BAA is big business no doubt, but try to keep things in perspective.

ho hum wrote:

I'm wondering will they not allow people going for OT qualifying times to enter if they missed the entry deadline? ie men who have run 2:20-2:21, women who have run like 2:49? I can't believe how stupid the registration system is when compared with NYC, Chicago, Houston, etc.

I know that in the past Boston has "found room" for OTQ caliber runners after open registration has closed.