Tracksmith BQ Qualifier Singlet Being Attacked

Even if one can't hit the BQ or make the time cut, no one is really technically excluded from the race as long as they make a commitment to fundraise or contribute a minimum of $5000 before the fundraising deadline.

BQ has become part of the American marathon scene identity. I suspect a majority of marathons have a "BQ Bell" at the finish next the the "PR Bells."

This was one of the earlier comments from the apology post. There is a good reason why I shunned running clubs that popped up all over in recent years. I enjoy doing my solo runs.

"Interesting that there are people who literally can’t see that this is about more
than just an instagram post or a singlet. It’s about systems, structures, and attitudes of racism, sexism, ableism, elitism… An apology for a post is a start. But it can’t be the end. There’s more
work to do, and frankly I think we’ll see what tracksmith has “learned from this” with continued action over time."

There is no Race Completion Shirt. The only Race Completion thing you get is a medal.

The shirt your get (that you cannot buy) is a Participation Shirt - and it is provided to you in your Bib pickup package.

It's just what I said before:

"Most people aren't stupid, they're capable of spotting what you have to do/say to gain an advantage, be part of the cool kids club, or whatever it is they want to do . . . people turn into expert learners when there's a social advantage to be gained."

The quoted commentator has picked up on the language one needs to use to turn one "offensive" thing into a whole systemic this-that-and-the-other, and how to argue that since Tracksmith was offensive one time, that makes them pretty much responsible for going out and destroying all the systemic this-that-and-the-other that the poster thinks he/she/xe/they/beep/boop/bop knows all about and is definitely not just repeating stuff heard on Reddit.

"they were tying that in with the singlet being only available to those that made the actual standards for this year, meaning those who made the cut off and registered and will race."

Wrong again.

baa.org

Qualify | Boston Athletic Association

Open link

"Current qualifying standards can be found below."

The qualifying standards are fixed until the BAA decides to lower them again. They have been lowered by 5 minutes twice in the last decade and are the most competitive standards in several decades. Anyone who exceeds these fixed qualifying standards DID BQ and DID meet the "actual standard." The additional cut-off has nothing to do with the qualifying standard and simply reflects field size limitations and the varying number of QUALIFIERS from year to year.

Stay toxic, LetsRun

I cannot imagine anyone who did not run a race wanting to buy anything associated with that year's race. These people you are talking about likely don't exist

If that is the case, why would they explicitly state in the ad that they are limited to those who have both qualified and registered for Boston (everyone else being "joggers")? Answer: exclusivity for its own sake as a badly miscalculated PR marketing strategy, even if it is a slap in the face to 11,000+ runners who met the standard indicated by the letters printed on the singlet.

they want to give those running the race a special thing for making the standard.

news-flash: some things in life can exist to be exclusive, this race included. If you missed the cut-off (myself being included in the bunch), train harder - it's a very competitive race full of people who commit half a year to ensure they're under a cutoff. We all know the trends of these larger races allowing more and more charity entries. Especially after a few years post-covid with a break from cutoffs, people had to assume the cutoff would be harsh. Guess what, that's life!

Re: "jogger", barring charity entrants, no one is a jogger running the race. The BAA wants this race to be "fast" - that's up to them. The 5 hour marathon crowd isn't entitled to have a chance to run it - go run literally any other race. If you are really offended by being called a "jogger", then you likely weigh your achievements based on other perspectives and need to grow up

The special thing being given to those running the race is the privilege of running the race. I understand that it is a way for time qualifier entrants to distinguish themselves from charity runners, but that can also be done through bib # and corral and a variety of other means.

Look. It's a free country, and companies can sell whatever they want. But I am also free to point out when they are needlessly being douchebags and when a toxic running culture gleefully aids and abets this sort of behavior.

Alienating 11,000+ runners who worked hard to meet the BQ standard is completely unnecessary. Why not call it a "Boston 2023" singlet with roman numerals, like they sell for the other World Majors? Calling it a "BQ" singlet and then excluding 1/3 of the qualifiers this year (the 11,000 out of the 33,000+ who ran BQs) is what is colloquially referred to as a "dick move," and no amount of ad hominem attacks, browbeating or other BS will dissuade me from this fact, sorry.

I speak for the 11,000+ voiceless BQ runners, that 34 year old guy with a 2:54:35 who is being told he can't run (to make room for the thousands of charity and invitational entries and other time qualifiers with far more generous standards), and is now being told by Tracksmith "not that you wanted it, but just in case you were curious, you can't even buy a singlet with BQ '24 printed on it - this race isn't for joggers."

The running community needs to seriously self-examine.

This is still going on today.

Stop being slow.

Stop whining about a silly piece of material that you probably wouldn't have bought anyways.

I seriously cannot imagine what's "toxic" about wearing something that shows you've reached a certain level in the sport. It's a sport, for God's sake! Superior performances are superior performances. If you think it's douchey to advertise it, that's fine, it's your opinion. I'm not unsympathetic to that opinion, even. Heck, if that was the actual complaint of the Insta whiners, I wouldn't bother posting in this thread. But all the inclusivity whiners at the back of the pack should "self-examine" long enough to remind them the "hobby" they want to be inclusive is actually a sport, which means there will be some level of exclusivity based on performance. Running is probably the single MOST inclusive sport there is, since there are opportunities to participate regardless of skill level and you can do so on your own terms.

How many times are you going to repeat yourself here?

BQ can meet either of two things. It can mean you hit the pre-established time standard during the qualifying period, whether or not you even intend to run the race. It can also mean that you actually registered and met any cut-off time and are entered in the race.

The former is a provisional standard, and you're welcome to brag about it up until registration starts. Once registration closes though, the latter becomes the more relevant "BQ" and the former mostly just becomes an OK marathon time. It's a bit weird to say you BQd if registration has closed and you're not in the race.

First off, notice how everyone is "speaking for" these 11k people. On both the deleted post and now the apology post, I'm not really seeing many of these 11k who care. I am apart of the 11k and guess what - this is at the bottom pit of my worries. I also never asked you to speak for me. I am an adult and I got over it. To get all worked up over this = you have one of the most privileged lives in human history. Seriously.

Call it a dick move, you're free to do so. It was likely a move made strategically, as their Silver Medal sales every summer have a few years backlog of unsold BQ singlets. Now, they can make exactly as many as they need. It is their choice to make one piece Boston related apparel exclusive to those ACTUALLY running the race. They will sell other Boston themed shirts and shorts like they have in years past.

The running community is fine. Sales are up more than ever and there are clubs designed for slow runners. It is more en vogue than ever to be a fat person running, seriosuly. Brands are starving for "non runner" types running to promote because it sells them more merchandise. TS from the beginning was made for the "serious amateur runner" and they choose to highlight these types. They use OTQ/those keeping the pro dream alive runners for their model shoots, they have a great Amateur Support Program to help fund those striving for the pro life (see: Cravont Charleston, Mason Ferlic, many others).

Bottom line - them highlighting remarkable amateurs DOES NOT EQUAL diminishing those who aren't "remarkable" by time standards. Those who feel this is true have been caught in the web of entitlement and selfishness that has propped up seemingly through social media.

There is no "provisional" standard. The standards are the standards. If you ran a BQ, you ran a BQ, period. If you miss the cutoff, you say precisely that: "I BQ'd, but missed the cutoff." Normal humans then say "that's too bad, you'll get it eventually." Toxic assholes on LetsRun call you slow and then glorify a $70 singlet with "BQ" printed on it which excludes 1/3 of the people who BQ'd.

You know what this comes down to. TS was always an elitist in many forms and there is nothing wrong it. I wasn't going to buy their $100 shorts either way. But you know who did? A lot of back of packers. I begin to notice many of their singlets at races just before Covid started. I don't follow their social media stuff but did they go out of way to cater to these people to increase their sales? Perhaps they were lead to believe TS was jogging/jogger inclusive/woke company. Now their feelings are hurt because they didn't/can't BQ and they think their achievements are not recognized. This is why I run on my own. I don't want to hi-five everyone after a run or whatever. Finish my run and shower.

Why aren’t Boston marathon finisher medals available to purchase by the public?!? What, just because I didn’t qualify or race means I can’t get a medal? It’s incredibly elitist to deny us who run everyday the chance to have a Boston marathon finisher medal.

No one has called someone that hit the BQ but missed the cut off time slow.

What we're tired of is that part the 4+ hour marathon gang that thinks they're so damn entitled to everything.

The modern day runners world effect

Finally, someone who gets it.

I am not defending back of the packers. I find much of the vitriol on the TS Instagram post comments pathetic.

To aim for a BQ time is a noble and worthy endeavour. As is any athletic accomplishment within the limitations of each person's individual ability.

My problem is when someone actually does the work, meets the standards posted on the website to be deemed a "qualifier," then a d-bag running apparel company and its sneering patrons go out of their way to seek to invalidate that achievement (as if being squeezed out of registration due to field size limitations wasn't enough).

The irony of all this is that we're all hobby joggers, save the few elites who may anonymously post on this forum and actually win prize money regularly. Alas:

"Some people try to be tall by cutting off the heads of others.” — Paramahansa Yogananda