The Boston Athletic Association tried to warn me. I didn’t listen. They recently sent a ‘register now for the Boston Marathon before time runs outs’ (not an exact quote) email. The message cautioned that registration for 2010 was outpacing the record set for the 2009 race, but I figured I was safe until at least mid-December. I secretly thought they were trying to drum up more hype. Because the one thing this race needs is more hype. Once upon a time the race sold out in March. For the 2008 edition the race sold out in February. The 2009 race sold out in January. But 2010 in November? The trend clearly predicted a December sell out. November is a phenomenal increase. If only my bank account showed such explosive growth.
Last year I eagerly registered, technically applied pending approval and verification of my time, the day it opened. This year I was lazy. And flip-flopping. Flip, flop. Run, don’t run. I just spent heaps of money on Marine Corps and New York and wanted to let my wallet cool down before spending even more money on running. The 2010 Boston Marathon price increased to a whopping $175 (for international runners). Less than NYC but expensive enough to give pause. So many excuses reasons to procrastinate.
11/13/2009 REGISTRATION FOR THE 2010 BOSTON MARATHON HAS CLOSED.
Registration for the 2010 Boston Marathon has closed. Registration began on September 9, and the Boston Athletic Association is unable to accept additional entries.
I waited too long. I’m not sure if the number of BQers increased this year, if the recession is really over, or if the Boston fright-mail ignited a mass rush of registers who, like myself, are easily scared. What I do know is that the marathon sold out on Friday the 13th. I don’t know what that means, but it’s spooky. The race is closed. No more runners allowed. Tough luck Runshorts.
Even tougher luck for the Last Chance for Boston Race held each February in Dublin, Ohio. Perhaps they need to rebrand it as First Chance for Next Year’s Boston. Or something catchier. I’m not in marketing. The lawyers earned their paycheck with this disclaimer: No refunds are given if the Boston Marathon reaches it’s cap prior to this event.
So, my spring race will not be the Boston Marathon. I’m not heartbroken. I know that if I really, really wanted to run Boston again I would already have a registration card in hand. Still, I wanted the choice to be mine. On to Race Plan B and a New Year’s Resolution to be more decisive. Or not. Or I can hire a decision maker. Anyone up for the job? Your first task is to select my spring race!
Title Reference: John Lennon – Watching the Wheels. From the album Double Fantasy. 1981.
D’oh.
To be honest, I debated doing both Pittsburgh and Flying Pig this year. I only went for Boston due to the dire warnings and the fact that I can fly via Jet Blue (not a good option for Pittsburgh since its probably easier to drive, and for Cincy…I could fly but not directly) and stay with friends for free ;p
But I talked to a few people who did Pittsburgh last year and loved it. Not horribly big or horribly small, nice city.
I stumbled across the Flying Pig last night during my frantic post-Boston search. It looks pretty good. I’m also thinking about Cleveland, but I hadn’t considered Pittsburgh. I’ve run Philly, so I might opt for a new state/prov, just in case I decide to join that every state/prov club someday.
I’ve heard good things about Cleveland too. I hate Cleveland, but it sounds like a nice race. Actually, I hate the entire state of Ohio but it goes without saying that Flying Pig is on my to do list for the name alone.
Dang. She had a ticket to ride, but she didn’t care…
Nice. My title song did not come easily for this one. I even googled procrastination songs, but found no inspiration on the net.
And it’s too late baby now, it’s too late, though she really did try to make it.
Crap! I have a theory that people held off last year because of an impending recession so maybe many people held on to jobs and now are opening up the wallets.
Scary to think that there are a hell of a lot of people are have BQed but never exercised their option. I’m going to do 2010, look at doing 2011, and maybe be content with that. There are great marathons out there.
Angryrunner’s suggestion of Flying Pig is a good one. Loved it so much, ran it in 2008 and although it’s hilly in bits, it’s a great race. Early start time. A ‘medium sized’ marathon (as in, bigger than Toronto, and way smaller than the megathons). It’s the first week of May so gives you room to run another right after if you wanted to.
I think I’ve had enough of the megathons for a year or so, so mid-sized sounds perfect. I’m also seeking out options closer to home … although closer to home doesn’t usually fill me anticipatory excitement.
At least you are qualified for Boston 2011 already. I think I know what you may be doing on Sept 9 2010. Register BEFORE you blog that day.
How about early spring marathon? We will be here…
Sarasota, FLA
It’s small, looks nice, and we’ll be 30 minutes away from there anyway.
Blah, correction…they just recently dropped the marathon and it is a half only. Bummer.
yeah i applied with my NYC time a couple days after NYC… did not get any sort of confirmation or rejection from boston… and then like 8 days later see that it’s closed. needless to say i’m ticked at boston and may boycott their stupid hyped up race. i applied over a week before it closed! grrrrrr. just irritating – i’ve never been one of those runners that has to run boston.
hope you can find another good (or BETTER) spring marathon!
I think the post-NYC applicants were the tipping point. You may still luck out … it takes a week or so for them to verify the race time, so maybe no news is good news? We need a good race director/markeeting team to create a Not The Boston Marathon in the NE in April. I’ll run it.
An interesting article highlighting the popular late fall races and the runners out of luck for 2010, as well as some thoughts about what the earlier sell out might mean long term …. http://www.irun.ca/blog/index.php/boston-pops/
I vote Flying Pig! Well, because I’m thinking of doing it, too and am trying to convince others to join me
Cleveland is pretty good – Pros: Great weather, nice course ; Cons: A smaller race and it really thins out after the 1/2.
Those are the two frontrunners. Decisions, decisions.
I suggest Paris in early April. Nothing compares to running past the Eiffel tower with 30,000 other strangers. It’s just a hop across (or under) the Channel for me, maybe a bit far to travel for you though…
It’s on my to-run list, but probably not in the forecast for 2010. I’m saving my first European race to celebrate a milestone marathon, like #13. I like the number 13.
Aller! Aller! Vous avez presque fini! How cool would those cheers sound at 39K?
39K n’est pas presque fini.