Why are local 2hr+ HM & 5hr+ marathoners allowed to sell out races 6months in advance and keep a sub3 marathoner out?

Doc Fairness wrote:

txRUNNERgirl wrote:

Because they are professionals who the race organizers pay to be there. The same reason Taylor Swift makes more money than when you sing karaoke.

But that's not fair.

People are specifically paying to see Taylor Swift sing, the general public does not really care if any elites are in the race, maybe except for Meb.

First, sub 3hr marathon is not that fast.

Second, many events consider themselves more of an event for the community than an athletic contest.

Wharf to Wharf in Santa Cruz sells out in a day. The locals threw a fit when they introduced prize money. That's how it is.

So what do you suggest is a good solution for serious hobby joggers?

The 2,4,5, etc. runners bring the money. The elites bring the fame. The 3 hour marathoner brings neither.

Rock'n'Roll races are all about the money. They care more about halfers than marathon runners.

The Houston Marathon is about local runners but they also have Elite Programs that are considered separately from the lottery.

As far as finding other good races, marathonguide.com has fallen off in quality over the past couple of years. I have found that ahotu has a much better list.

http://marathons.ahotu.com/calendar/marathon

Hobby Jogger... wrote:

Rock'n'Roll races are all about the money. They care more about halfers than marathon runners.

The Houston Marathon is about local runners but they also have Elite Programs that are considered separately from the lottery.

As far as finding other good races, marathonguide.com has fallen off in quality over the past couple of years. I have found that ahotu has a much better list.

http://marathons.ahotu.com/calendar/marathon

+1

I'm not sure what happened to mguide, but it sucks now for finding marathons. Most seems out of date. I'll have to check out the ahotu thing. Is it for US marathons too?

J Christ bro wrote:

So what do you suggest is a good solution for serious hobby joggers?

Umm... why not register six months in advance, and train accordingly? That's what the "rest of us" do. Is that harder to do because you are "faster"?

Just Another LRC Idiot wrote:

J Christ bro wrote:

So what do you suggest is a good solution for serious hobby joggers?

Umm... why not register six months in advance, and train accordingly? That's what the "rest of us" do. Is that harder to do because you are "faster"?

Yes because as a 2:33 marathoner running 90mpw I can't predict whether I'll be ready to go or not

J Christ bro wrote:

Just Another LRC Idiot wrote:

Umm... why not register six months in advance, and train accordingly? That's what the "rest of us" do. Is that harder to do because you are "faster"?

Yes because as a 2:33 marathoner running 90mpw I can't predict whether I'll be ready to go or not

You mean, you are not like a 2:13 marathoner running 120mpw who has to be ready on February 13? I see. Your problem is being too slow and running too little.

J Christ bro wrote:

Just Another LRC Idiot wrote:

Umm... why not register six months in advance, and train accordingly? That's what the "rest of us" do. Is that harder to do because you are "faster"?

Yes because as a 2:33 marathoner running 90mpw I can't predict whether I'll be ready to go or not

To the best of my knowledge, Chicago, NY, and Rock n Roll Marathon entries are between $100-$200 generally. If you signed up for two of these "fast" races several months apart that would be $300 total and only $150 lost if you skip one. If you're a "serious" marathoner who is dead set on achieving fast time then that $150 insurance policy seems money well spent.

Race directors for large marathons can't realistically front cash for traffic control, entertainment, run support, and merchandise. They need everyone who is going to pay to pay as early as possible.

Insurance wrote:

J Christ bro wrote:

Yes because as a 2:33 marathoner running 90mpw I can't predict whether I'll be ready to go or not

To the best of my knowledge, Chicago, NY, and Rock n Roll Marathon entries are between $100-$200 generally. If you signed up for two of these "fast" races several months apart that would be $300 total and only $150 lost if you skip one. If you're a "serious" marathoner who is dead set on achieving fast time then that $150 insurance policy seems money well spent.

Race directors for large marathons can't realistically front cash for traffic control, entertainment, run support, and merchandise. They need everyone who is going to pay to pay as early as possible.

What a bunch of dckheads

Its the age that you do it at.

Get it?

Here's as novel idea: set a goal race and schedule your training around it. That's what literally every competitive runner does. High schoolers don't get to pick when their state meet is. Pro's don't pick when the world championships are. Grow a pair, man, does every one of your races need to happen when the planets align just right?

Unless you're running under 2:10, you're adding nothing to the race.

People don't care who is the first American who finishes in NYC 10 min after the leaders went through.

For the most part, they don't even care who wins.

They care about their relatives and friends who FINISH and the funny guys who run in costumes, as well as military members and firemen.

I'm not disputing that fact. I'm not comparing him to a pro for running a 2:30, I'm just saying why can't he plan his extraspecial training schedule around a race in advance? That's how training schedules work. You set a goal date in the future so you can taper and be ready.I'm only speaking for his benefit, not so the spectators can enjoy watching this guy fly past soccer moms and grandpas. He pays the same entry fee as the 5-hour people, so he shouldn't get special treatment.

Nutella1 wrote:

Unless you're running under 2:10, you're adding nothing to the race.

People don't care who is the first American who finishes in NYC 10 min after the leaders went through.

For the most part, they don't even care who wins.

They care about their relatives and friends who FINISH and the funny guys who run in costumes, as well as military members and firemen.

Gotta stay low key wrote:

Bottom Line: Does anyone have a list of the low-key faster marathon courses for the serious but non-elite runner?

Baystate Marathon / Lowell, MA

Steamtown Marathon / Scranton, PA (86% full now)

As an event director/timer and former 2:30 guy I have a couple of observations.

First, it is not that event directors don't care about the 3:00 marathoner but why should anyone that isn't in contention for the win get priority? If you are trying to get into a race where you will be competitive, most half's and full's have an elite coordinator who can get you in. Otherwise, you are just part of the masses.

Second, most event directors (not all) do want a faster/more competitive field and often will offer prize money and travel expenses/hotel despite it not providing any added benefit to race participation. This is because we care about the competitive edge of the sport.

Third, the average participant for an event could care less about the top 10. They might be awed by a fast time, but often times they don't know the difference.

Fourth, and probably most importantly, the cost of producing an event skyrockets as the event comes closer. "Hobby Joggers" who register 9 months out allow for accurate forecasting of things like shirts, medals, advertising, permitting, police support and other things that might not matter to you or me, but matter significantly to those who participate to finish.

It isn't that we don't care about you, but there is little reason to give preferential treatment to a group that costs more and often complains more...

It makes the situation even worse to have many people signing up for multiple marathons while intending to do only one. As for the 4-7 hour marathoners, it would be much cheaper for races to be set up if they didn't have to keep the course open an extra three hours. If they're in it for the buck, that would have to be factored in, but they certainly don't care about anything else. And if an organization does not care a whit about you, why patronize them?