Houston Half/Full Elite Fields Out -- Stacked Fields Per Usual

Most interesting runner in the Women's field is Buse Diriba.

Buse will win the US Women's Olympic Marathon Trial if her citizenship is granted by then.

You heard it here first!!!!!!!!!!!

JT20k! wrote:

What da hecK wrote:

How did a 1:08 guy get into the elite field??!?!?!?

I think it is great when an Elite Athlete Coordinator gives a local runner a chance. How else do they get a chance to move up and improve?

I'll drink to that! Could be just the inspiration that young athlete needs to take the next step!

Did you seek entry into the ADP field? I could see you not getting into the elite field despite your talent and very good time since this is probably the best half in the country, but it would surprise me if you couldn't get into the ADP field.

Otq hopeful wrote:

JT20k! wrote:

I think it is great when an Elite Athlete Coordinator gives a local runner a chance. How else do they get a chance to move up and improve?

On the flip side, it takes a spot from people like me, who have run 64low in smaller races and have few opportunities to go 63. I was denied entry into the race.

The real Mark Huizar wrote:

SAlly V wrote:

I am not sure but I think the 1:08 guy got in as an "elite" local. I can't imagining him or her entry otherwise. It is great that they allow some of the better local runners entry in to the race. Get your time down 2 minutes and you will be allowed entry too!

I'm not local from Houston. I'm from La Puente, CA and moved to SLO to run with the Aggies. I ran my 68:01 at a pretty hard course in San Luis Obispo. lol like I said, don't be salty!

My apologies, Mark! Best of luck on race day!

Otq hopeful wrote:

JT20k! wrote:

I think it is great when an Elite Athlete Coordinator gives a local runner a chance. How else do they get a chance to move up and improve?

On the flip side, it takes a spot from people like me, who have run 64low in smaller races and have few opportunities to go 63. I was denied entry into the race.

Have you tried to register as a charity runner? If you click on "Run for a Reason", you may still be able to get in, albeit with a $350 donation.

She's as dirty as Fury Road from Mad Max. She races year around at mid tier races where you're almost guaranteed to not get tested.

Almostsbs wrote:

dklaldk wrote:

Goucher is "elite"?

Are you so stupid you don't know why she is listed as elite?

Elitist?

I second Walmsley. Easily. He has the highest VO2 max like Matt Carpenter.

Goucher is NOT elite. She'll do everything she can to be relevant.

She'll be in the trials next year, guaranteed---she needs people to talk about her.

Over two months ago they were too full to give me a bib.

Surprised Hasay is not running, Rupp had his surgery so that is probably why he is not running, Maybe Hasay will run the RAK Half Marathon instead, as Salazar seems to like his runners doing a fast Half Marathon as part of the Marathon buildup.

Groucher's Psych. wrote:

She'll be in the trials next year, guaranteed

No sh!t. Most who qualify do run the trials.

No offense, but you didn't miss out on an entry because a 1:08 local guy was given a spot over a 1:04 guy. You missed out on a spot because you sought a spot in arguably the best half marathon in the country about 10 weeks out - you just asked too late and no spots were left.

I got in because I ran 2:16 in the marathon and 4:04 in the mile. That's how.

Smoove wrote:

No offense, but you didn't miss out on an entry because a 1:08 local guy was given a spot over a 1:04 guy. You missed out on a spot because you sought a spot in arguably the best half marathon in the country about 10 weeks out - you just asked too late and no spots were left.

Also did you ask for an ADP entry? I would think they could have managed that much.

Wow, the women’s half is super stacked. 3 girls who ran sub 2:19 in 2018 (2 of them current marathon major champions) vs the second fastest half marathoner ever, who was only 1 second off the HM record, also last year. That’ll be exciting to watch!

NewtotheSouthSide wrote:

Smoove wrote:

No offense, but you didn't miss out on an entry because a 1:08 local guy was given a spot over a 1:04 guy. You missed out on a spot because you sought a spot in arguably the best half marathon in the country about 10 weeks out - you just asked too late and no spots were left.

Also did you ask for an ADP entry? I would think they could have managed that much.

I asked for any entry at all. I was even willing to pay the entry fee. The "no spots left" argument is pretty hard to make in a field of 4,000.

I would call or email again. They just let Roberta Groner in the Half Marathon field.

The elite coordinator isn't going to change her mind at this point and is probably pretty buried under a ton of work in anticipation of race day, so I wouldn't bother her again. It stinks to miss out on a race, but they really do a great job of trying to accommodate people. I have seen quite a few marginal candidates get into the ADP program (me included) when a request is made in a timely way. When I went back to the elite coordinator right after CIM to try to see if an athlete I coach could get into the full, they politely told me it was too late. She wasn't quite as good as OTQ dreamer, but she did have a good running resume (including a recent 16:35, which is pretty good for someone hoping to get into the women's ADP field).