Perks for a sub-elite (2:29) marathoner

Most races, barring some world majors, will comp entry. You just email their elite coordinators and ask if you could have a spot in either their athlete development program or their elite field(if it's a lesser marathon). I doubt any marathons would give you a travel stipend though. You usually have to be closer to 2:15 for travel stipend or hotels. I also doubt non-prize money races do that, as you don't add any greater value to their field since very few sub-elites would go to a race like that to begin with.

Yeah comped entries pretty much everywhere except the majors but nothing more than that. That time is good enough for Chicago too. Maybe the RNR races? Those are ones where you could win some prize money but you're not about to quit your day job. Free entry, low bibs, front corral at races. Really not a huge change for you.

2.29 isn't sub elite, it's sub elite hobbyjogger.

Elite hobbyjogger is sub 2.20 and sub elite is sub 2.10.

AXC wrote:

I'm on a high after PRing by 8 minutes to run 2:29 in Boston.

Congratulations AXC, great accomplishment.

Congrats!

Locally, I’m not aware of much. RNR is under 2:27 for comped entry to either the half or full, 2:40 when you’re over 40.

Chicago ADP is 2:35, which gives you a nice staging area, start with the elites, and you might be able to register after the race is otherwise full.

Congrats, AXC. I'd love to run that time.

Start working on your vert and get 5th at western states. Turn running into something profitable for you instead of just a hobby.

2:29 is probably considered sub-elite if you are a woman 🤔

Film Rep wrote:

2:29 is probably considered sub-elite if you are a woman 🤔

Lol, the 10th all time American woman is 2:25

RBKboi wrote:

Film Rep wrote:

2:29 is probably considered sub-elite if you are a woman 🤔

Lol, the 10th all time American woman is 2:25

According to most of the smooth brains on this site, Americans aren't elite because of what Africans run

RBKboi wrote:

Film Rep wrote:

2:29 is probably considered sub-elite if you are a woman 🤔

Lol, the 10th all time American woman is 2:25

Most of the elite women aren't American 🤔 Most of the American women are sub-elite. 🤔

Film Rep wrote:

2:29 is probably considered sub-elite if you are a woman 🤔

Gotta love those jealous washed up D1 haters. We get it, your natural talent led you to a 3:48 1500m. Sorry blue collar running threatens your sense of worth.

Film Rep wrote:

RBKboi wrote:

Lol, the 10th all time American woman is 2:25

Most of the elite women aren't American 🤔 Most of the American women are sub-elite. 🤔

2:29 puts you in about 3000th place on female all-time performace list

I ran sub 1:10 half and sub 2:30 full back in 2015 and I live in the DC area. Over the years I was able to obtain comp entries to some races, Richmond half, New Jersey full, One City half, Columbus half. However, most of the time I was paying entry fees for the races I actually wanted to run (Cherry Blossom, Chicago marathon, Berlin Marathon, etc) but was able to get some comps for local races. It does make it much easier to actually get into Boston, Berlin, NY, etc since you can by pass the lottery and enter as a "seeded" runner, but you're still paying.

I had a 1:09:44 half and a 2:29:44 full in 2015 but Richmond would not let me into the full there with a comp, even though I qualified to do the same with the half (they were right though, blew up and ran 2:32). I've noticed many races tightened their standards within the last few years (maybe due to supershoes?) so that now most small to mid level races are asking for sub 2:27 and sub 1:08-09 (Philly) half with the majority not even bothering to offer comps anymore unless you are a true elite, likely due to COVID.

Film Rep wrote:

Film Rep wrote:

Most of the elite women aren't American 🤔 Most of the American women are sub-elite. 🤔

2:29 puts you in about 3000th place on female all-time performace list

http://www.alltime-athletics.com/wmaraok.htm

Not only is 3000th all time elite, but that list includes repeats from the same people. 2:29 is considerably higher on the all time PERFORMER list.

husky jelly and smelly wrote:

Film Rep wrote:

2:29 is probably considered sub-elite if you are a woman 🤔

Gotta love those jealous washed up D1 haters. We get it, your natural talent led you to a 3:48 1500m. Sorry blue collar running threatens your sense of worth.

3:48 for 1500 is super elite for a woman just like a 2.15 marathon.

This is a good post on what to expect OP & honestly the vibe for anyone who isn't really challenged by their BQ time but isn't close to an OTQ. A 2:29 & 2:39 male are both just grinding because they like the sport & like pushing themselves. I feel like super shoes aren't really trickling down to the local races because of what is described above. Most fast people want to run majors or big-time road races. Feel like there's more for-profit race companies that have come in & don't want to invest in any level of runner. Used to see more prize money at local races. Comped entries for reasonably fast times. Etc.

Reality for you OP is that you'll get the elite treatment at some majors & a lot of big races but will have to pay a lot of the time. But you'll also do it because you'll want to try to crack the top-50 or 25 at a major and will chase sub-2:25 now that you've run 2:29. You could try to make money as a trail runner or triathlete but both require totally different skillsets & training.

You can get a very good online coach. Just email me at ;

magic@coachjs.se

Welcome to magic coaching!

Seriously, posting about how to get a comped $125 bib? LOL