Boston 2013 Qualifying Question

I was wondering if anyone could share the experiences and/or opinions regarding the new graduated registration system.

I just ran a 3:03:15 this past weekend and will be 37 April 2013. My wife ran a 3:31:17 and will have just turned 40 in April 2013.

I suspect she'll register easily because her qualifying time is 3:45. so she'll be BQ-10.

How about me? I'm going to be BQ-5, which ain't too shabby, but will it get me in?

Thanks!

Jason K. wrote:I was wondering if anyone could share the experiences and/or opinions regarding the new graduated registration system.

I just ran a 3:03:15 this past weekend and will be 37 April 2013. My wife ran a 3:31:17 and will have just turned 40 in April 2013.

I suspect she'll register easily because her qualifying time is 3:45. so she'll be BQ-10.

How about me? I'm going to be BQ-5, which ain't too shabby, but will it get me in?

Thanks!

Based on the fact that last year the number was BQ minus 2:14 and they've stiffened the standards by 5 minutes, I would be completely shocked if you weren't in easily.

Jason K. wrote:

How about me? I'm going to be BQ-5, which ain't too shabby, but will it get me in?

Thanks!

Yes, I suspect it will... and congrats on the 3:03!

Be a man, you still have time to cut your time to sub 3.

Like Jim said, I think you'll be fine with a time at 5 min under.

Jason K. wrote:I was wondering if anyone could share the experiences and/or opinions regarding the new graduated registration system.

I just ran a 3:03:15 this past weekend and will be 37 April 2013. My wife ran a 3:31:17 and will have just turned 40 in April 2013.

I suspect she'll register easily because her qualifying time is 3:45. so she'll be BQ-10.

How about me? I'm going to be BQ-5, which ain't too shabby, but will it get me in?

Thanks!

probably. this year after the first week it was still open.

Like I said on your race report, I was only BQ-2:08 and got in this year. And with the tighter qualifications, you're the equivalent of BQ-at-least-10 this year. You're fine.

Jerry wrote:Be a man, you still have time to cut your time to sub 3.

Don't think for a second that the thought didn't cross my mind!

Like others have said you will be completely fine. I'm willing to bet that registration for next years Boston will stay open for a much longer time after the -20,-10 and -5 BQ times. With the 6 min cut in qualifying time (yes it is 6 mins due to them also taking the 59 seconds away) it is going to take Boston longer to fill up again.

Personally I think it is great that they tighten the standard but I really didn't think it was 100% necessary for them to do it. I think it was necessary and great move to change the way we register for the race with the staggered registration dates. Also I think that as time goes on Boston will not be all the hype, I really think that right now Boston has become a bucket list thing for a lot of runners and it has become a fade with the influx of so many new runners. So I believe as time goes on the fade of Boston will fade with a lot of runners but will be a big major goal for the more serious runner. Another words right now I believe a lot of people not only want to say they ran a marathon but there is a large group now that want to be able to say I ran Boston. Therefore to contradict what I said that they didn't have to tighten up the standards I'm most likely wrong and that it was necessary.

It is now necessary because it does make it harder to get in and it now changes the mind of a lot of people who just want to run Boston as a bucket list thing to do these days by the less serious runner who doesn't want to put that extra work and effort into making it there. Then again I also feel that it such a tough thing because I know a lot of serious dedicated runners that will be honored and love to run Boston but because of the harder standards may never get the chance to get there. Why? Because those 6 minutes can be huge for some who's ability just comes short of that standard no matter how hard they work to to reach it.

It is tough I believe that the standards and registration changes have been great but I also feel they have there draw back. Sorry for getting of typic a little from what the thread was original started for.

Jason K. wrote:

Jerry wrote:Be a man, you still have time to cut your time to sub 3.

Don't think for a second that the thought didn't cross my mind!

But... Be more manly than Jerry and run Sub 3 two Weekend in row. As we all know, if Jerry can do it, it's not so manly...

BTW: I think you're in if your register on time.

Gobbles wrote:

Jason K. wrote:

Jerry wrote:Be a man, you still have time to cut your time to sub 3.

Don't think for a second that the thought didn't cross my mind!

But... Be more manly than Jerry and run Sub 3 two Weekend in row. As we all know, if Jerry can do it, it's not so manly...

After my run this morning, no way I could rattle off a 26.2 tomorrow!

Thanks for all the replies.

Schuey wrote: Sorry for getting of typic a little from what the thread was original started for.

All valid points. I'm sure it's different for everyone, but I'm just very grateful that I have been able to run Boston and I certainly do feel for life-time runners that for whatever reason can't qualify. Another good read on the subject was written by DC Rainmaker. You can google him and "Boston Marathon Qualifying" and it will pop up.

Schuey: Wow....those last two paragraphs were a wild ride!