If the Boston Marathon is virtual again, should it eliminate qualifying time to enter?

I personally wouldn’t run any marathon virtually. I don’t see the point of putting my body through that, for a “race” whose result doesn’t count/isn’t official.

I had been training for Boston 2020 before Covid. I do think it waters down the brand by opening it up to anyone this year, but as far as I’m concerned they’re already kind of doing that by allowing those charity runners.

Anyway I think 2021 is screwed for large marathons. None of the majors will be in person. Same with the Olympics.

My take:

I would run it as a virtual event again unless the B.A.A. did a stupid move and tried to charge something like $200 for a virtual event. I would want to support the B.A.A. but not feel like I am getting ripped off. I actually enjoyed the virtual event last year. It gave me something to train for and it was fun planning out a course. With that said, virtual events can only go on for so long. I am good with one more.

I see qualifying times as a fair way to distribute a limited number of spots to run the Boston Marathon. The event is about tradition and the crowd support. There is nothing inherently vital about the qualifying times. The race didn't always have qualifying times and the qualifying times have changed over time.

Since there is no limit to the number of runners who can run from Hopkinton to Boston, I don't see the reason for qualifying times if it is a virtual event again. The B.A.A. can take in a few extra bucks in entry fees and there may be more runners/walkers who would purchase race merchandise. The marginal cost to add more entries would be very small so it could help the B.A.A. llmp along if they get more participants since they probably lost a lot of revenue from sponsorships.

I did one virtual Boston, and am glad I did, but will not do another. I was able to run a small real local marathon in November and will do something similar this year if Boston doesn't happen as I hope it does.

If they eliminate qualifying times it won't be Boston in any meaningful sense.

Paying big prices to run virtual races is a joke. I have done a virtual race and paid for it. However, I consider the payment a contribution to the race to support and keep the racing industry alive and do it on very specific occasions. Another virtual Boston Marathon with qualifying times or not would water down the Boston Marathon Standards.

I agree the cost of entry has to be low and it is mostly a gift to the race organization.

However, I would prefer a second virtual event than nothing. Last year the virtual gave me something to train for and was the only virtual event or race I did.

It usually costs organizers of the race a lot to put on the event with road closures, police, security, equipment,paying people (although most may be volunteers) but a virtual race has none of those costs.

I will do it again if it is a reasonable cost,last year I sold my medal for $125,so made a profit and kept my tshirt and hat.

Birkoboy wrote:

I will do it again if it is a reasonable cost,last year I sold my medal for $125,so made a profit and kept my tshirt and hat.

Haha your hat.

I am wondering if they would consider a two tier entry fee.

Say $50 for runners who ran a qualifying time and $75 who did not run a qualifying time.

How would that go over?

This is the 125th running. I would rather see the whole damn thing cancelled than done "virtually." Make the 125th an actual race, even if it is not held until April 2022. I ran the 100th and plan on doing the 125th and 150th. I want to actually run from Hopkinton to Boylston Street for these races.

I think that the well-known reputation of the Boston Marathon qualification standard is an important part of it's appeal to a lot of people. If you were to throw that away, even just for one year, there could be a long-term negative effect.

On the other hand, the Boston Marathon is tremendously popular. Perhaps the popularity could remain by allowing many more people to be a part of it.

If they eliminate the qualification standard it could diminish to the size of other less popular big city marathons, like Philadelphia, or it could remain wildly popular like the major marathons.

If they keep the standard intact, then I think they will maintain the sellout at their maximum limit indefinitely.