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Race Qualification Methods

817 Views 16 Replies 11 Participants Last post by  Alaska Mike, 
Alaska Mike
<p>The 2011 Boston Marathon sold out in about 8 hours this year.  Last year, it was right around Thanksgiving.  The year before, it was some time in February.  Prior to that, you could sign up a few weeks before the race in April.  So unless something changes it is highly likely that it will sell out in less than an hour next year.</p>
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<p>I started at 9 am ET (which was 5 am Alaska time) and couldn't get signed up for an hour and 15 min this year.  There has been some speculation about the various methods that BAA might use to limit the field size and make it less of a internet-rush to sign up.  Various methods they could utilize include:</p>
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<p>- making the entry qualification standards tougher (i.e. lowering the time requirements for various age groups).</p>
<p>- instituting a lottery system similar to the one used for New York City marathon.</p>
<p>- making certain races qualifiers and having a certain number of slots per race (similar to IM Hawaii)</p>
<p>- increasing the cost</p>
<p>- allowing current year racers to sign up for next year's race before everyone else</p>
<p>- leave it as it is</p>
<p> </p>
<p>What do folks here think?  Any systems you would prefer they implement?</p>
<p> </p>
<p>Mike</p>
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Alaska Mike
<p>I think the fairest method is to lower the qualifying standards.  The current standards are fairly arbitrary and have been lower in the past.  Current qualification is based on your ability to run fast relative to your age and if they are getting too many applicants, then the lowering the qualifying times will decrease the number of people who qualify.  Of course, that works well for me as a 2:40 marathoner.  It's brutal, but fair.</p>
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<p>I'm sure that BAA will continue to hold entries open for charity runners and for Boston-area athletes.</p>
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<p>If they go with a lottery system I hope they implement something similar to NYC where there is a qualifying time that allows you to bypass the lottery.  Because, again, I'm looking out for me.  <img alt="" src="http://files.kickrunners.com/smilies/rolleyes.gif" title=""></p>
<p> </p>
<p>Mike</p>
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Alaska Mike
<br><br><div class="quote-container"><span>Quote:</span>
<div class="quote-block">Originally Posted by <strong>Yo Sake</strong> <a href="/forum/thread/70718/race-qualification-methods#post_1955354"><img alt="View Post" class="inlineimg" src="/img/forum/go_quote.gif" style="border:0px solid;"></a><br><br><p>I AM IN!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!  Phew, I thought I was going to get heart attack.</p>
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<p><br>
Woot!  You, Thor and I will be lining up in Hopkinton.  Who else is in?</p>
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<p>I dunno about the half qualification being easier for NYC than the full.  For a male masters the half qualifier is 1:30 and the full qualifier is 3:10.  A 10 min slowdown seems about right.  This discussion got me thinking about NYC again now that I'm racing Placid in mid-summer.  Hmmm.</p>
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<p>Your DH could always sign up as a charity runner to guarantee a slot.</p>
<p> </p>
<p>Mike</p>
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Alaska Mike
<p><a href="http://www.baa.org/news-and-press/news-listing/2010/october/a-statement-from-baa-executive-director-guy-morse.aspx" target="_blank">http://www.baa.org/news-and-press/news-listing/2010/october/a-statement-from-baa-executive-director-guy-morse.aspx</a></p>
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<p>I guess I'm kinda amused that BAA was 'shocked' that the event filled up in one day.  Maybe I'm just used to IM events that fill up online in a matter of minutes and other local races that close out in a few hours, but to me this was utterly predictable.  When last years race filled up by Thanksgiving and a good number of folks were shut out, it seemed obvious that people were going to be logging in at 9 am EST to register to ensure that they didn't miss out.  It seems to me like BAA kinda flubbed this one.</p>
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<p>Whatever solution they come up with, some people are going to be unhappy.  After thinking about it more, some combination of tougher qualifying standards and a lottery probably makes the most sense to allow higher caliber racers the opportunity to race their way in while still allowing slower runners the option to experience Boston.</p>
<p> </p>
<p>Mike</p>
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