How does a sub-elite runner secure a front spot at a major marathon?

Just ask the right people and show them your times from other races. But please don't pull a Martin Franklin on them or you will make it tuff for anyone else that wants in.

Call or e-mail the race director.

FatBastard wrote:

I'm planning my first marathon soon, and realistically hope to hit sub-2:30. ...or maybe it's easy enough to get within 3-4 rows of the front anyway???

Thinking of doing Chicago,

chicago has preferred starting spots based on prior times. as i recall they have regular starting (my word) then 2 other levels based on your prior times. you can even use a 1/2 marathon time to get it.

how far up this gets you i do not know.

check the websites and call/email the rd.

Tell them you are Larry Mboga.

"FatBastard," e-mail me...

joseph(dot)mcveigh(at)morganstanley(dot)com

I have a competitive corral bib @ Chicago this year, and had one last year and it took me 10 seconds to get past the starting line. No special arrangements needed for that, just one of the qualifying times listed on their site.

Fat,

You're not doing Chicago this year.

No, not doing Chicago this year. Planning for next year ...London would be the earliest.

Thanks for the tips everyone.

run faster and become elite!!!

LIE

TRNR wrote:

I have a competitive corral bib @ Chicago this year, and had one last year and it took me 10 seconds to get past the starting line. No special arrangements needed for that, just one of the qualifying times listed on their site.

Can you give me an idea of your first mile. What was your split (what were you shooting for)? Were you passing/dodging a lot of people or were most of them running your pace?

Thanks

I heard that the elite start at New York will be larger this year allowing for more sub-elites to be included. My guess is that if you can get the sub - 2:30 you're shooting for this year in what ever marathon you decide to run, than you should have a good shot at getting a spot near the front at New York next year. The first thing you will need is a respectable pr in the marathon or half and then email or call the elite race director. The worst that can happen is that he says no and you go elsewhere.

The catch-22 of course is that you may need an elite starting position to get the time to prove that you deserve a position with the elite group. That's why your first goal should be to run a fast half. It should be much easier to get a spot near the front in a half, since they are much smaller than the large marathons.

My advice is the stay away from some of the biggies. I tried to get a decent number at NYC with a 1:08:30 half and was given a sub-1000 number. This gets you into a corral with about 5 others, but when you get out on the bridge, it is every man for himself. I ended up 50 rows back and had to stand for 30 minutes like I was in a rock concert. Then had to weave through the crowd for and opening mile of 6:30.

I'd head for somewhere smaller at first, Philly, Richmond, etc..

Say your goal time in London and you will placed in a corral really near the front. I said 2:50 and I was right before elite, maybe 11 seconds to the start line.

I was also in the competitive corral last year. You will get a very clean start, and have no trouble running a good first mile.

You'll be close enough that you could touch the Kenyan's if you wanted to.

Fat - have you run a sub 75 mins HM?

If so you can get a `championship' place at London. This means you start on about the 2nd or 3rd row behind the elites. I was there this year and was across the line in 5 secs and avoided the mass race.

FatBastard wrote:

How does a sub-elite runner secure a front spot at a major marathon?

by running an elite time.

Draco Malfoy

Nice name......WHHHHHOOOOOOP WHHHHHOOOOOOP WHHHHHOOOOOOP......NERD ALERT!!!

You and the other nerds rollin' some 20 sided dice tonight?

hahahahahahahaha