I just got an email from the BAA as a member of the media. Qualifying times will remain the same, but fastest runners will get a chance to register first. Those with 20 minutes or faster qualifying times will get to register on Sept 12, 10 minutes or faster on Sept 14, 5 minutes on Sept 16. Open to all qualifiers on Sep 19 until it fills up.
Also, starting in 2013 qualifying times will be 5 minutes faster across the board.
Nice job, Media Guy.
Confirmation:
I like this, from what I've heard so far. Attacking the problem from both ends is surprisingly aggressive for the BAA.
from BAA.org website (for 2012 race:
September 12, 2011 20 min., 00sec. or more below their qualifying time (based on age/gender)
September 14, 2011 10 min., 00 sec. or more below their qualifying time (based on age/gender)
September 16, 2011 5 min., 00 sec. or more below their qualifying time (based on age/gender)
Second Week
September 19, 2011 All Qualified Runners
September 23, 2011 Registration closes for qualified applicants
September 28, 2011 (appx) Qualifiers from entry during second week of registration are
2013 cutoffs are 5:59 seconds faster.
Without lowering the standards, this does nothing to fix the problem.
I stand corrected....this was posted before the subsequent information regarding the lowering of the standards.
One the BAA website the new registration process:
http://www.baa.org/races/boston-marathon/participant-information/register.aspx
Perhaps more than anything, it reminds the faster runners to register when it opens instead of waiting 3 months.
I like this. And seeing that my BQ time for 2012 is already 26+ faster than the qualifying time I should have no problem registering....
It keeps Boston a competitive race. I like that. the 5:59 faster standards in 2 years is great too
The rolling admission isn't just for next year also, its for the 2013 race also. So nobody whose fast should complain about not getting in. You just after register 7 months in advance though...
I like this approach.
1. Boston didn't f*** over those who already ran a qualifier for the 2012 race according to the existing standards. I doubt it will sell out BEFORE they get to the OLD BQ standards. Of course not all that met old standards will get in .... but that's life.
2. While lowering the standard by just 5min, BAA made sure that it will still be a big event. 20k? Maybe even still sell out.
Also the registration is before most of the fall marathons! So folks who are looking to BQ best do it this spring (or already have it).
Nutella1 wrote:
I like this approach.
1. Boston didn't f*** over those who already ran a qualifier for the 2012 race according to the existing standards. I doubt it will sell out BEFORE they get to the OLD BQ standards. Of course not all that met old standards will get in .... but that's life.
2. While lowering the standard by just 5min, BAA made sure that it will still be a big event. 20k? Maybe even still sell out.
Are you kidding me? It will still sell out, just not in 8 hours.
As much as many hobbyist marathoners might not like it, I like this new registration system. It is a reminder that Boston is a RACE, not a participation event. They're at least trying to remain one of the elite marathons in the world, instead of drowning in 5 hour+ walk joggers.
drivel wrote:
Are you kidding me? It will still sell out, just not in 8 hours.
To clarify: I meant 2013, not 2012. 2012 will sell out, no doubt. 2013 may be a close call but you're probably right.
I see tons of runners stepping up their game an trying to run 6min faster now.
What I like about this is that people can't complain about not getting into Boston anymore. Basically if you didn't get into Boston you didn't run fast enough. Which is what Boston is about....
It won't close at BQ-20, even for 2012. That is 2:50. And in 2013, that is 2:45.
It's a tiered A, B, C, D system. Interesting that in 2010, a 2:54 got you into 1st corral, but wouldn't be BQ-20...
Another wrote:
Interesting that in 2010, a 2:54 got you into 1st corral, but wouldn't be BQ-20...
That's because BQ-20 is across all age groups/gender.
wasn't there a discussion about comparing times for females and older athletes vs. younger men?
those women times are ridiculous honestly (yes I'm a guy), but a 3:40 marathon for a 25 y.o woman is not equivalent to a 3:10 marathon for a 25 y.o guy. Seriously.
But then again I am biased. For older folks, I have no idea.
I know I sound like that jackass husband in "Spirit of the Marathon", but still, I think he had a point.
now the "hard" part: is going to be to find a fast early fall marathon. any suggestions for something pre september 12th?
This is a good fix. My only complaint is I wish they had placed the registration period in November; allow people to get a qualifying time in a fall marathon. There's no reason to make people sign up 7 month in advance.