In that case the BAA should not allow the Boston Marathon to be a qualifying race.
In that case the BAA should not allow the Boston Marathon to be a qualifying race.
Just Jorge wrote:
Or maybe they should restrict the amount of net downhill allowed. I got in, but with the help of a 4K+ drop. The side industry of Boston Qualifier courses is pretty absurd.
This. They really need to restrict qualifying on downhill courses. It will never happen tho because of course the BAA's target audience are the 40-60 year old women who drop major $$ at the expo.
Cut-off times since 2014 (first year they were used):
2014 -1:38
2015 -1:02
2016 -2:28
2017 -3:23
feldman wrote:
Lulz wrote:THE CUTOFF TIME IS 3:23!!
That's insane! They really need to fix this system.
I really don't know what the problem is. The fastest people get in, what's wrong with that?
The problem is BAA sets a mark, people hit it, and they don't get in. Sometimes by a lot. Nor do they know whether they got in for a long time.
And don't get me started on the gender discrepancy....
Emaciated Hobby Jogger wrote:
Cut-off times since 2014 (first year they were used):
2014 -1:38
2015 -1:02
2016 -2:28
2017 -3:23
What's interesting about this trend is I really thought the early 2000's marathon boom was fading. With all the color runs, mud runs, warrior dashes taking over. Even just the popularity of HM's increasing would put a hit on it. Anyone have stats on total marathon finishers year to year in the US?
Lulz wrote:
feldman wrote:I really don't know what the problem is. The fastest people get in, what's wrong with that?
The problem is BAA sets a mark, people hit it, and they don't get in. Sometimes by a lot. Nor do they know whether they got in for a long time. ....
Agreed. They should have a guaranteed entry time for those that beat the BQ standard by # minutes (the "A" standard) and the possible admission standard for those that only beat the BQ standard (the "B" standard). At least this would reward the faster "A" standard athletes with less anxiety, and the ability to make early travel plans. Without the "A" standard they are creating unnecessary worry for everyone!
BQ Math wrote:
It will absolutely be less than 2 minutes.
Nice prediction. My prediction that demand was higher than ever was correct.
gregmacd wrote:
Lulz wrote:The problem is BAA sets a mark, people hit it, and they don't get in. Sometimes by a lot. Nor do they know whether they got in for a long time. ....
Agreed. They should have a guaranteed entry time for those that beat the BQ standard by # minutes (the "A" standard) and the possible admission standard for those that only beat the BQ standard (the "B" standard). At least this would reward the faster "A" standard athletes with less anxiety, and the ability to make early travel plans. Without the "A" standard they are creating unnecessary worry for everyone!
But for the -20 and -10 folks they know they have guaranteed entry. You might say it's not technically guaranteed and you're right. But no race should EVER guarantee someone entry. They should always be legally able to turn someone away.
And yes, if you qualified by less than 5 minutes you have to sweat. Tough, that's how they ensure the fastest people are entered into the race. Any other way of doing it could allow someone slower to get in before someone faster and I just don't think that's equitable.
feldman wrote:
gregmacd wrote:Agreed. They should have a guaranteed entry time for those that beat the BQ standard by # minutes (the "A" standard) and the possible admission standard for those that only beat the BQ standard (the "B" standard). At least this would reward the faster "A" standard athletes with less anxiety, and the ability to make early travel plans. Without the "A" standard they are creating unnecessary worry for everyone!
But for the -20 and -10 folks they know they have guaranteed entry. You might say it's not technically guaranteed and you're right. But no race should EVER guarantee someone entry. They should always be legally able to turn someone away.
And yes, if you qualified by less than 5 minutes you have to sweat. Tough, that's how they ensure the fastest people are entered into the race. Any other way of doing it could allow someone slower to get in before someone faster and I just don't think that's equitable.
If the BAA were to shave 5 minutes from each age group BQ, the accepted field would exceed 20,000. Just do that.
Change @ Park wrote:
If the BAA were to shave 5 minutes from each age group BQ, the accepted field would exceed 20,000. Just do that.
Works for me. Shave 20 minutes off would be even better.
It just sucks that there are going to be literally thousands of people waddling to the finish line in god knows how many hours while people who were under their "qualifier" time sit at home. Yeah yeah it's all about money. Just saying it still sucks.
BQ Math wrote:
It will absolutely be less than 2 minutes.
Good job Sherlock . 3:23 is a gift . The projection was 3:51. Most Mexico City applicants were bounced .
I got a letter saying I have a spot reserved but there are still verifying my time.
???
What is up with that? Anyone else get that note?
it is stressful wrote:
I got a letter saying I have a spot reserved but there are still verifying my time.
???
What is up with that? Anyone else get that note?
You ain't alone, as mentioned within the BAA press release of 4 days ago.
"23,198 Qualified applicants have been accepted to date or are in the process of being accepted, pending verification of their qualifying performance."
Just got my confirmation today, 9.19.18.
I registered last Wednesday with a time of 10:48 under my time of 3:15.
I figured I was in but it sure felt like it took forever.
feldman wrote:
Any other way of doing it could allow someone slower to get in before someone faster and I just don't think that's equitable.
Are you serious? That is EXACTLY what the BAA us doing. Guy runs a 3:10 and has to wonder if he'll get in while a 6:30 "runner" is guaranteed entry due to charity.