Chicago 2014

Well looks like there will be changes for 2014. Normally registration is on Jan 1st, this year it won't be until March. More details to come in Jan.

2014 Bank of America Chicago Marathon
As you plan for the 2014 running season, make sure-whether you plan to participate as a runner, volunteer or spectator-that you save the date for the 2014 Bank of America Chicago Marathon on Sunday, October 12. Participant registration for the 37th annual event will open in March. Complete registration details will be communicated in January via our website, Facebook page and e-newsletter.

I thought it used to be Feb? Anywoo, may have pre-registration opportunity like last year due to my pace leader volunteering. Probably not running Chicago or even a fall marathon. Looking to run some fall CC events if I can organize a club.

New York lottery result is March. Hope this is good for runners.

After last year's surge of registrations, I am thinking that there will be a lottery this year with guaranteed entrance for certain criteria. The most logical criteria to me is if you've run Chicago in the past a number of times, you get in. I think a large percent of Chicago marathoners are first timers who make it a big weekend and spend a lot of money, so they won't want to discourage that. Hopefully they come up with a good solution.

JohnP wrote:After last year's surge of registrations, I am thinking that there will be a lottery this year with guaranteed entrance for certain criteria. The most logical criteria to me is if you've run Chicago in the past a number of times, you get in. I think a large percent of Chicago marathoners are first timers who make it a big weekend and spend a lot of money, so they won't want to discourage that. Hopefully they come up with a good solution.

That's how Houston is done. 5 or more official finishes and you're a guaranteed entry, when it's done at in the first month of registration. 10 or more and you can wait to enter until 2 months before the marathon.

You may want to put a bug in CARA's ears to get the marathon people to allow X number of guaranteed entries for those CARA members with 1-4 official finishes of Chicago. Then CARA can set up a program to get people to the 5th marathon. People with 4 finishes get 1st crack at those guaranteed entries, then those with 3 finishes come next, etc. The people still have to pay the entry fee, but they're not in the lottery.

The Houston Marathon gives HARRA (Houston Area Road Runners Association) 500 entries for its members.

Houston also has guaranteed entry based on times, and Chicago could do that as well, but they might lose 1st timers.

Hmm...I was contemplating running this race (it would be my 3rd Chicago). It will be interesting to see what they come up with...

Nick Morris wrote:Hmm...I was contemplating running this race (it would be my 3rd Chicago).  It will be interesting to see what they come up with...

Or, you can go 2015 when Jerry is there.  

Jerry wrote:

Nick Morris wrote:Hmm...I was contemplating running this race (it would be my 3rd Chicago).  It will be interesting to see what they come up with...

Or, you can go 2015 when Jerry is there.