Making Lemonade: Part II
| February 16, 2011 | Posted by Lauren under Running |
On a fateful Monday back in October, registration for the 115th Boston Marathon filled up in a mere 8 hours and 3 minutes. I think it’s pretty safe to say that this left the running community in complete and utter shock. Not only did it mean that many qualified runners were blocked out of the race they had worked so hard to get into, but it also meant that anyone running a late fall marathon didn’t even stand a chance. You probably don’t need me to tell you that this is a big deal. The Boston Marathon holds a lot of meaning to a lot of people. In fact, I was so passionate about all of this that my response post, Making Lemonade, is one of the fastest posts I’ve ever written on HOTR.
For the past several months, runners everywhere were left wondering how the BAA would respond to this to make registration better in years to come. Well, as you may have heard, today the wait is over. BAA has announced a new system that will effect registration for the 2012 and 2013 Boston marathons. And it involves something all college kids are familiar with – rolling admissions…err…registration.
The Basics
The new system is actually a bit more complicated than registration has been in the past. Basically, the faster you are, the better chances you have of getting a spot.
- If you run a time that is 20 or more minutes faster than your qualifying standard (so 3:20:59 or below for me), you get to register first
- After 2 days, those who run 10:00 – 19:59 minutes faster than the standard will then get to register (again, for me, that would be 3:30:59 or less)
- 4 days after the first registration opens, anyone who ran 5:00 – 9:59 minutes faster than the standard will get to register
- And then, finally, a full week after registration opens for the fastest runners, anyone who qualified will be able to register.
And that’s not all. In 2013, BAA will continue to use the same rolling system for registration in addition to lowering all qualifying standards for both genders in all age categories by 5 minutes.
| AGE GROUP | MEN | WOMEN |
|---|---|---|
| 18-34 | 3hrs 05min 00sec | 3hrs 35min 00sec |
| 35-39 | 3hrs 10min 00sec | 3hrs 40min 00sec |
| 40-44 | 3hrs 15min 00sec | 3hrs 45min 00sec |
| 45-49 | 3hrs 25min 00sec | 3hrs 55min 00sec |
| 50-54 | 3hrs 30min 00sec | 4hrs 00min 00sec |
| 55-59 | 3hrs 40min 00sec | 4hrs 10min 00sec |
| 60-64 | 3hrs 55min 00sec | 4hrs 25min 00sec |
| 65-69 | 4hrs 10min 00sec | 4hrs 40min 00sec |
| 70-74 | 4hrs 25min 00sec | 4hrs 55min 00sec |
| 75-79 | 4hrs 40min 00sec | 5hrs 10min 00sec |
| 80 and over | 4hrs 55min 00sec | 5hrs 25min 00sec |
The Devil is in the Details
Not only did the entire system for registering change, but with this new policy, BAA did two very significant things:
- Take a closer look at those new qualifying standards. Notice something different? There’s an important number missing. That little 59 seconds after the qualifying time that has been the saving grace of so many runners. In the past, all you had to do was make sure you got to that finish line before that minute hand changed. But now, there’s no more cushion. If you’re a female between the ages of 18 and 34 and you run a 3:35:01 – well, it’s better luck next year.
- The entire registration window is only 2 weeks long. Now at first you might say, so what? It lasted less than a day last year, so 2 weeks seems like a pretty long time. But that two week window opens and closes in September, before any major fall marathon. And the fall is when many runners actually qualify for Boston – temperatures are ideal for running fast times. The prospect of running a marathon in the fall to qualify for Boston in the spring is now officially dead. If you want to run Boston, you’ve got to qualify at least a year before the race.
The Oversight
There are a few more provisions in the new system, such as ways to allow people who have run 10 consecutive Bostons (an amazing feat, if you ask me!) to be guaranteed an entry. But there are a couple of glaring things that the new rules did not touch: charity runners and corporate spots. If BAA is going to make it more difficult for the average joe runner to qualify for the race, I think it’s fair to ask why they’re not also making changes to the charity and corporate sponsorship programs.
The Lemonade
I think it needs to be said — this new system is crazy!! Seriously. But it brings the craziness out to where it belongs – on the streets of the marathon, and not in front of the computer on registration day. The system is still on a first come-first serve, but it’s the runners who run the fastest that are rewarded – not those who can get online the quickest. I realize this makes an already tough goal even tougher. But honestly, I believe that’s how it should be. The truth is that more people than ever are running marathons, and the field is getting faster and faster. BAA hasn’t tightened up the qualifying times since 1980! Something had to be done.
Five minutes can be a lot of time to shave off, but it still leaves room for many people to work for, and achieve, a qualifying goal. Do I think the system is perfect? Absolutely not. In an ideal world, if someone runs a qualifying time, they should be able to run the Boston marathon. Period. If BAA is going to set a certain standard and then you meet that standard, technically you have earned your spot just as much as everyone else. But unfortunately we don’t live in an ideal world. And more people qualify than there are spots. So you have to do something to make it competitive.
The tough part about this is that even though the qualifying times technically only dropped by 5 minutes, in reality, runners in all age groups are going to be aiming to run at least 5 minutes faster than that in order to increase their chances of getting a spot. So a 3:40 time goal now becomes 3:30 — or even 3:20. Because under these new rules, even if there’s still space for those who make it just under the qualifying time, those runners are going to be weighed against everyone else who is trying to register. So if you run a 3:40:59 but a bunch of other people in your age bracket run a 3:40:58, there may not actually be a spot for you, even if you register the second you’re able to get online.
It may not seem completely fair, but the Boston Marathon is an elite race. I think this new system is BAA’s effort to restore that elite status, and I’d say that the solution BAA has come up with is a pretty creative one. Yes, it’s going to be tougher to get in. But instead of seeing it as an obstacle, I’m looking at is as a challenge. A challenge to run that much faster. A challenge to see if I really can be one of the best of the best — and solidify one of those coveted early registration spots. While the news that registration closed in one day last fall left me feeling down, I’ve found that this new decision has re-energized me. Come March 26th, you better believe I’m going to be gunning for that 3:20:59.
However — and this is where my opinion may not be such a popular one — I believe that if the Boston Marathon truly wants to set itself up as an elite race, they need to stop giving away so many spots to corporate sponsors. I understand that sponsorship is crucial for a successful race, but every individual should have to earn their spot no matter what company they work for. And the same thing goes for charities. Racing to raise money for a charity is a wonderful thing. It is a huge commitment, and these runners are giving back in a way few people can say they have. But there are a million and one different marathons who have programs for a million and one different charities. If you really want to run a race to raise money for a cause that you believe in (and aren’t just looking for a way into Boston) then why can’t you run one of them? Why can’t Boston be the one race that doesn’t accept charity runners – and that you truly have to qualify to get into?
What are your thoughts about the new system? Love it? Hate it? Think they could have found a better solution?
One of our friend’s qualified for Boston this year and he is crazy excited about it. He’s placed (or won) so many races that I know he will love these new standards. Can’t wait ask him about it and get his take. I think it’s a smart plan. I’m all about “no one being left out,” but the truth of the matter is – this is (as you said) an elite race and the best of the best should be the ones competing!
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Wow, what a great summary! I was away from my computer all day and didn’t even know they announced anything. I have a lot of thoughts about this, and I agree that there are advantages and disadvantages to the system the BAA has chosen, but I don’t think there is a “perfect answer” to their problem, and this seems like a good starting point. Though I will be very interested to see what happens if the 2012 race fills up with the very first wave of registration for the 20 minutes faster people.
I also believe that the BAA needs to reconsider the number of corporate and charity spots they give out if they want to work toward becoming a more elite race. Kind of a side note, but I also think having all of the charity runners start in the back (unless they’ve run a previous marathon and proven they can run faster) is necessary – people who fudge their times to start closer to the front really get in the way of people who have trained hard!
Thanks for summing this up for me, Lauren!! I’m sure we could chat for a while about this
I don’t even want to think about that! But there are a LOT of fast runners out there…
And I totally agree about the starting position for charity runners. The start of the race is crazy! Runners who qualify have their times verified before being assigned a corral. I think charity runners should do the same –and if they don’t have a marathon time then they should start in the back.
I’m definitely think their reaction is a little extreme. 5 minutes it A LOT! Now, I’m someone who will probably never qualify for the Boston Marathon, so it’s not bumming me out, but I can why it would make runners angry!
I think the only reason that they don’t ax the corporate and charity runners is because it brings the BAA SO much revenue. I imagine it’s hard to give that up.
I don’t know how to works — but the people who don’t qualify don’t start in a separate corral? That seems silly and that would DEFINITELY piss me off. Granted, I it hate when there are walkers in my half marathon corrals (Disney is notorious for this)!
No they don’t. The race does have 2 waves with the faster runners in the first wave, but only people who have an actual qualifying time are seeded (because the BAA checks the times out for accuracy). I don’t think charity runners can start in the first wave but I also don’t think there’s any real regulations about them starting at the back.
Well said, Lauren! We’ve talked about this before, but I must say again, I really feel like BAA needs to decide – elite or not? I will never qualify for this race, but I want to see the people who do get the chance to run it. They have earned their place at the start. I also feel like it would be better to shorten the qualifying window, rather than play with the times so much. I feel like this will widen the gap between qualifying runners and charity runners, while still leaving out many deserving qualifiers.
As an aside, the corporate and charity runner situation is touchy and probably controversial to discuss, but I will put it out there that I’ve heard so many people who have gotten a Boston bib because “they know a guy…” I know there are many runners raising money for great causes, but there are also many people that aren’t.
I’m sure we’ll be hearing a lot about this in the future. It certainly makes for interesting discussion!
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I do think shortening the window would have been a good idea — instead of having registration open earlier for only 2 weeks (before all the fall marathons!!). And I agree — they give away a lot of spots to corporations and running clubs for promotions. It doesn’t seem right to me that while some people have to work so hard to get in, others are just handed a spot.
This was really well written. But the problem is the Boston marathon shuts down 7 towns and half the city of Boston for a full day. They need to give back to those towns so they have corporate sponsorships. I can see how frustrating that is for people who qualify…but I don’t see them getting rid of corporate or charity runners anytime soon. I really believe they should expand the field and I’m really not sure why they can’t do that. All I know is that no matter what people will be unhappy but at least this is the first step in the right direction.
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I didn’t even think about that! But even so, it just seems like a crazy amount of bibs are given away every year. There has to be another way to give back…or they should at least trim that field. I also don’t know why they can’t make the entire race bigger. I think they’ve claimed the course just can’t handle it, but what if they introduced another wave? It seems like they could make it work if they really wanted to.
Lauren: i like your recap and also agree with your comments. The race should be a challenge to get in and one you feel a sense of pride and accomplishment to complete. i too am in favor of eliminating the corporate sponsorships and even the free passes some running clubs get. If you qualify, you’re in. That should be it.
Keep up the great writing!
Signed,
Your biggest fan!
Thanks Biggest Fan!!
I agree — many runners work their whole running lives to qualify for Boston. I think it’s an insult to them when they’re blocked out of the race while someone from a big corporation is given a spot just for having the right job.
Personally I don’t think I’d ever be able to run fast enough to qualify for the race (at least not right now!) but I would think it’s very frustrating for those who qualified to not get into the race. As you said, if it’s an elite race then it should be hard to qualify for! My dad ran Boston in the 90′s without a number. Scandalous. I’m really not sure how he did that and it’s so funny to me because he’s totally not a rule breaker – but he said it was his best marathon and his fastest. I would assume it’s because he was running with the best and pushed himself to be with other elite runners.
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Although Boston is a pipe dream for me I know a few runners who were dissappointed with yesterday’s announcement. While I feel for them and know that they work hard to try to qualify I also beliee that Boston should remain reserved for the best of the best and if that means lowering the BQ times then so be it. I would imagine that the vast majority of Boston runners wanted to qualify for the prestige of being amongst a minority group of athletes so the new standards preserves that for them.
That being said, I agree with you that it is unfair that they didn’t make significant changes to the corporate/charity spots. While I am all for charity in every other race I think this one should be about athleticism. Giving spots to non-qualifying runners isn’t fair, in my opinion, especially when you have qualified runners fighting for coveted spots on registration day.
They obviously had to do something to deal with the race selling out so fast this past fall. I think this is a lot better than lowering the qualifying times twenty minutes. And although I do hope one day to run Boston, I think someone who is faster than me probably deserves it more.
However, I think they should have pushed back registration to late October or November because it makes more sense to have fall races be the ones people try to BQ for.
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Agree!!! I guess they thought having it earlier would limit the field?? Since so many people qualify at those fall marathons… But it just seems crazy to me. And I wonder now if registration for spring marathons will increase?
Lauren, this was a really thoughtful and detailed review of the changes – thank you!
I think the BAA’s decision to slightly lower BQ times, and to instate a rolling registration process, are reasonable changes. Understandably the new rules present an even bigger challenge, but I think that can be viewed as I healthy thing.
Though I hope to qualify in the future (much in the future, that’s a long-term goal for me) I have to admit that I’m one of the scorned charity runners this year. I’ve long had my own personal reservations about the concept of raising money just by running a marathon I want to for personal reasons, but things fell into place this year and I decided to go for it. The organization I’m running “for” will receive 20% of its operating budget for 2011 from charity runners – and though certainly any of us could run through a charity program in, say, NYC, the lack of connection between local race/local charity would make fundraising much less successful.
I certainly think that the BAA could stand to make some revisions to the breadth of its charity offerings (incentives for runners who qualify AND raise money?), but I think the corporate bibs are an even larger issue that needs further examination. Some corporate donors/sponsors get hundreds of bibs to distribute – and though they make a contribution, the recipients of those bibs don’t have to do anything in return (no fundraising, no qualifying).
The charity runners may sully the field in the eyes of elite runners, but their hearts are in the right place – and keep in mind that, on the whole, charity runners are grateful for the opportunity, humble and enormously respectful admirers of those of you who have qualified.
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HI Kate — thank you so much for your thoughtful reply. I really appreciate your viewpoint, and I hope I didn’t make you feel like a “scorned” runner because you’re doing Boston for charity. I honestly admire runners who do races for a charity because the commitment is that much greater – not only do you have to train for a marathon, but you also are responsible for raising a large amount of money, and that’s no easy feat! And anyone who finishes the Boston marathon, regardless of how they got in, deserves praise. Running a marathon is a huge accomplishment, and once you’ve crossed that line, no one really cares whether you qualified or are running for a charity or whatever.
What I really meant to remark on was the fact that it doesn’t seem right to put extra limits and challenges on qualified runners without doing the same for the charity and sponsorship programs. If they’re really having a problem, why can’t they make cuts everywhere (or increase the size of the field)? And even though Boston is a huge fundraiser for a lot of really important organizations, the truth is that the marathon does market itself as an elite race. So it’s tough to say that but yet give away a lot of spots to unqualified runners. I honestly don’t look down on anyone because they’re running Boston for a charity while I qualified – I just think the system should be more equitable somehow. I don’t know…it’s a tough issue. That being said, I do agree that corporate bibs are a much larger issue. Those runners aren’t giving anything back and the sheer number of bibs that are given out to donors is ridiculous.
My opinion here pretty much null (since I will never qualify), but I do find the rolling registration process to contradict the notion of having a minimum qualifying time. If you qualify but fall outside of the first bracket or two, you may still never have a chance to race since there will always be people ahead of you. Of course-I have no idea about the distribution of the times of the people who actually run Boston…if there aren’t enough super fast people to fill up the race then of course it makes sense for them to secure a spot first.
That doesn’t make your opinion null!! And I do agree that it’s not a great system to say “here’s the standard…except you still might not get in.” But I guess I’d rather they have people compete with each other by running faster than there having to be a race to register the first second you can. I’m also really interested to see how this rolling system will play out — I have no idea how many runners will fit into the early registration categories.
No matter what the BAA does there are going to be disappointed runners. It is the best Marathon in the world – it’s The Marathon. Just like the Super Bowl or a great concert it will sell out so to speak. Qualifying for Boston is every “serious” distance runner’s goal, it supposed to be hard, that is what makes it such a great goal. Boston is the one race that you talk about at every Marathon because so many people work so hard at reaching that goal.
I think we as runners should be proud of the Charity program. It is the way the collective we (as in we runners) give back to our community. Let get over this idea that the Charity runners are talking spots, let’s instead embrace and be proud of what those 5,000 numbers do for the world.
I know what it takes to put on Boston. I belong to a Running Club that volunteers to help make the race happen. The club helps supply the hundreds of volunteers needed to stuff all those good bags (that’s 26,000 bags!) The club also comes up with another 60 works to help in Hopkinton on race morning. Yes, the BAA gives the Club a few numbers in return. The BAA “rewards” various people for helping to making the race happen by giving out some numbers, more power to them, you can not even begin to imagine what it takes to put on a Marathon.
I admit, it easy for me to say all is fair, I worked hard for 6 years (5 marathons) to qualify and when I did I beat my needed BQ time by 15 minutes. I’m not a gifted runner, but I set a goal and work hard to reach it. For me it is about fairness, does everyone who qualifies have a fair chance to get in? Does everyone know what it takes to qualify and when you cross the line, do you know you have met the standard? Heck, being able to say you have a BQ, very special even if you never run the race. I think the BAA is trying hard to preserve and protect a great asset and to be fair.
But please, don’t even get me started on the woman’s standard. Male runners, we owe every woman 30 minutes for all those years we kept them out.
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I understand that charity runners are doing a great thing, and I would never want to make it sound otherwise – I admire anyone who can raise $3,000+ for a cause they believe it. But I do think it’s worth questioning why BAA is tightening up standards for qualifiers and not charity programs, or especially corporate sponsors. Especially when you talk about fairness and allowing everyone who qualifies a fair chance to get in.
I appreciate that viewpoint about women’s running times. I hadn’t thought about it that way. Still not sure it really makes the huge difference in difficulty of the qualifying times fair (though what really is “fair” anyway?), but thanks!
And finally, yes, I think even just having that BQ is an extremely special thing. The day I qualified for Boston for the first time was literally one of the most exciting days of my life. Even more-so than the day I actually ran Boston.
I couldn’t have said this better myself! I am all for lowering the qualifying times (though I am saddened that they did away with the buffer 59 seconds!), but I think the registration process is going to be a nightmare.
I believe they should do away with the corporate spots and charity spots. If the BAA wants to make Boston an elite race, make it an elite race. There could be another Boston marathon for the charities. I couldn’t imagine pouring my heart and soul into training and actually earning a BQ, just to be shut out from the marathon because I wasn’t fast enough to register early. And then knowing that thousands of people who didn’t earn a BQ were allowed to run because they were raising money for charity. Uncool.
I know that’s harsh; but it’s just my opinion.
Oh, and I plan on resuming my BQ training in 2037. I totally think at 55 I’ll be able to run a 4:10 marathon
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Haha! I’m marking that on my calendar — in 2037, you and I will be towing the line in Hopkinton together
I am really interested to see how this whole thing plays out…and whether it needs a year or two to settle down a little. I have no sense of how many spots will be filled in that first registration wave. And I seriously wonder if they’d ever reduce the number of charity or corporate sponsor spots. Something tells me it’s not very likely…
Come and run the London marathon – the good-for-age requirements are 3:15-3:50 for girls and registration is open from April to August (not that I think you’ll have any difficulty getting a Boston place, of course!)
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Oh wow! That’s a broad range, actually. I like it! I’d actually love to run the London marathon – I’ve never been to England before and what better reason to go than for a marathon!?
Love the new title…did you make it yourself? I’m so scared to do any sort of blog design for myself, although I really would like to. I made my header, and it was just a little time spent playing around in paint…
Now about Boston! I should do a post of my own, but I have a few thoughts to share. I think it was smart to make the qualifying times faster, although I do think that 3:05 for men is absolutely crazy. 3:10 is smoking, and 3:05 is really, really difficult. I still think that 3:35 for women is a million times easier than 3:05. (7:04 pace vs 8:14? Yikes!) I do like the rolling application process, although it definitely makes it harder for people who barely qualified to get in. Mixed opinions on that one…while it is an elite race, I realize I think it would be tough to say that you qualified but still weren’t able to run it. I know NYC has a rule where if you apply for the lottery for three years and don’t get in, you’re guaranteed entry for the fourth year. Not sure if the BAA could do something like that or not.
I will probably get flamed for this, and I’m probably being a bit elitist, but the corporate sponsor/charity thing bugs me a bit. I actually had someone offer me a spot in the NYC marathon last year (through a corporate sponsor), but I felt bad taking something like that. I think things like that in Boston are a bit crazy…there is a marathon somewhere in the Northeast that ONLY takes qualifiers…I forget which one it is. While I have my own opinions about charity runners, I do appreciate the money that they raise, but when people are fighting for spots in Boston, it seems a bit crazy to let in so many non-qualifiers. I wonder if more people who qualify will opt for charity spots in order to guarantee being able to run in the marathon…now that would be nuts!
Okay, that’s my two cents for now.
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Thanks! I did!! Though I’ve been told the top words look smooshed and I should change them, haha I don’t know — it’s good enough for me for now! Also, besides taking forever to make it exactly how I wanted it, it really wasn’t all that hard. I used Picasa to make a collage and they let you do all sorts of fun things with it.
Anyway, I’d love if you posted more about your thoughts. I agree with a lot of what you said! Especially about the corporate spots and the fact that a 3:05 is not an equal effort for a male as a 3:35 for a female. I really wonder why they didn’t take that into account. I also think it’d be a great idea for the BAA to have a similar system as NYC if runners don’t get in after a certain amount of time. I guess we’ll have to wait and see how this changes things in the next couple of years.
And I’ll be (virtually) cheering you on for that 3:15 and early entry into next year’s Boston!
Totally agree.I have run Boston twice after barely making the qualification time. Last year, even though I qualified, I didn’t get in. I just qualified last weekend in Ottawa, but only by 40sec. Now I’m pretty sure this won’t get me in, so I’ve already registered for another Boston certified race on Sept. 3rd and will try to shave off a few minutes to improve my chances. I think this new system has given me even more motivation to train hard this summer and really earn my way in!