They are starting the registration early, leaving October marathons out (so much for qualifying this year in St. George). The first two days are reserved for runners who beat their qualifying times by twenty minutes or more. The next two days are for those running ten minutes faster than posted BQ times. Two days later, those beating their times by five minutes are allowed to register. A week after registration opens the rest of the qualifiers can register. In addition, the times in 2013 will be reduced by five minutes.
It is a good move for the Boston Marathon, which thrives on its reputation as the "race to run." Boston is a prestigious race for the mere fact that runners have to qualify to get in.* The harder it is to get in, the more impressive it is if you do. To maintain this elite status in the wake of increase in the popularity of running marathons, changes had to be made.
However, it bums me out a little. I was hoping that 2012 would be my year. I turn 45 and my qualifying time goes up to four hours. That extra ten minutes is huge! My 3:50 goal that I was so sure I could run last fall is now an elusive target. Long Beach really did a number on my confidence. I know I can run under four hours, since I did it at Surf City last year. For 2112, to guarantee the ability to register, I'd have to run 3:40. To get a decent chance, it looks like 3:50 is back on the table. I'm pretty sure 3:55 is already the minimum time (if the race isn't full before the five minute people are allowed to enter), new standards or not.
I still wonder why they have the same qualifying time for runners between 18-34. I think creating new age groups for BQ times might change the field a bit. But then again, they know the demographics of their runners better than I do.
Only time will tell how this will affect Boston. I'm pretty sure it will help it. My own running career? I'm not so sure Boston is in the cards for me. But we'll just have to see about that as well. What are your thoughts on the changes in the Boston Marathon??
Happy running...
*except, of course, the charity and corporate runners.
6 comments:
I think it's garbage. They're creating a situation where only the fastest of the fast will be able to participate. If you qualify for Boston, that's it, your time should be good enough. That's sort of a given but it's changed now. If you qualify for Boston now, it might not even be good enough.
What irks me the most is that this is all reactionary. Registration last year sold out in eight hours. The year before, it took 65 days to sell out. Four years ago, it took four months. Now because race organizers hit the panic button, things have changed and a lot of runners will be left out in the cold.
Urgh, I'm sorry, girl.
I get it that Boston wants to maintain it's status as an elite event, but I agree, it seems pretty weighted to benefit younger runners.
If LB is right, then maybe it won't affect you and you'll still be able to register with your BQ time.
I definitely agree with everything you have stated here.
it hurts...
I can understand making the standards tighter... it fits with their image. But the rolling admission is just so sad. I can't imagine how heartbreaking that would be to push and push to barely reach your age group qualifying time but to have entry denied because you're still "too slow".
I don't think it makes sense to hvae the 18 year olds lumped up against the 34 year olds. There's a huge difference in age. I think it actually makes it harder for the 34 year olds to keep it like that.
And I also don't like the fact that you can do all that hard work to qualify, and still be closed out. Shattering the time required by 20 minutes??! That's insane, I'm sorry.
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