Major marathons like NYC should set aside more bibs for time qualifiers. Agree or disagree?

I agree completely that mega marathons should reserve more bibs for time qualifiers. Is that elitist? I don't see how. If someone puts more effort their training and racing than others do and it pays off with better performances I think that should be recognized and rewarded. As things are now races are devolving into being "events," sort of like parades are. If bettering a particular time allows a runner to avoid the uncertainty of getting into big races it should encourage people to be a bit more ambitious about their running and I cannot see a down side to this.

Meh. In reality, it doesn’t matter. Young and Mantz could go to New York, run 2:06, and finish top five and no one outside of LRC and Provo would care.

What will the masses care about? That their favorite soap opera actress, pop star, and the really hot guy from a reality dating show walk-jogged to a five hour finish and it was covered on Extra.

I ripped people yesterday complaining about this, and for consistency reasons and because I actually believe it, I won't change my stance that tougher standards aren't a problem. I will say though these races, especially NYRR, should be FAR more transparent about what it takes to get in. People training with these goals in mind absolutely deserve that.

I don't think the big races have any obligation to set aside more sports for "time" qualifiers. I remember when most of these races were "first come, first served" entries. Then they switched to lottery after they started doing online entry and the servers would crash. I think it's nice NY allows a few hundred, maybe a few thousand "faster" runners entry if they meet a standard, but they are not obligated to do so. The faster runners have no more right to be there than the joggers, walkers, etc. Everyone pays the same entry fee. And before you complain, I am still a semi serious runner in that I train 60+ mile weeks for marathons and run as close to 3 hours as I can at age 52. However that doesn't make me more important or more worthy then anyone else to get entry into these major marathons. In the big picture, outside of the elite runners, the rest of us aren't more important then anyone else.

And that's where you lost me

I thought the point of a race was to race.

Oh brother. Another thread with “serious” runners being butt hurt about not being pampered. The average men’s finishing time in the New York City marathon is 420 the women’s is 450. That’s who pays the salaries for NYRR, not the 230 guys. Sorry.

BTW, I just registered for the 2024 race as a time qualifier.

Chimed in on the other thread. I think a race like Boston should figure out a place to draw the line & say you can't qualify if a course loses too much elevation or to do some sort of conversion. I honestly dk how that has to be super controversial. The BQ cutoff time is around 5min now. If someone ran a 2:55 in Chicago & another ran 2:54 & gets in but ran it on a course that lost 4k feet then you can't tell me the most fair process is in place to reward people close to the cut line. You can't tell me if both of those runners get in that the downhill runner should get a lower bib & possibly better start corral. USATF draws a line for an OTQ. Think this should be looked at for strong AGers. I have no issue with people continuing to run those races. If you want to go to a downhill race & claim a PR you should. I'm not going to do that but at the end of the day it doesn't affect me. But it is affecting people on the Boston cut line.

As far as NYC goes, it's their prerogative. They're not a qualify only race. The time standards are a back door way for the fastest runners out there to get in. I don't think they've drastically change the # of available spots to get in that way. You can't control the general population getting faster or more people wanting to race there. They should adjust those standards online & reiterate that this isn't the main way to get into the race. Fwiw NYC was one of the toughest logistical races I've ever done. Would much rather go to a local fast/flat marathon, with an early start, on a cool fall day.

Yes looking at you Tokyo. almost impossible to qualify as an internation

I wish there was reciprocity with the big international races. Boston and NY have tons of international qualifiers. Why can’t London have the same policy in reverse? Yes, they have good-for-age, but only for Brits. Americans either need to win that long shot lottery or pay Marathon Tours

Anyone sub 2:40 can get into London through the champ start, they just need to join an UK athletics club