Inquiring Minds Want to Know

What do you do when the "holy grail" of marathons fills up in only 8 hours and 3 minutes of registration?  If you're the folks in charge, you take a serious look at what might need to change.  Of course, I'm referring to the Boston Marathon and the Boston Athletic Association.

As you know if you've read previous blog entries here, or if you have qualified, want to qualify, or are even remotely connected to distance running, the 2011 Boston Marathon filled within 8 hours and 3 minutes, in the midst of technical computer issues, and there was an uproar within the running community immediately.  Consequently, the BAA implemented changes for the upcoming 2012 and 2013 Boston Marathon.  (For details, see my earlier blog entry or go to http://www.baa.org/).

After the first (and second, and third) reading of the details of these changes (and from the 2011 Boston Marathon program itself and www.baa.org) , I was still left with questions about some of the specifics concerning the new registration process.  Several of my running friends weighed in with their interpretation of the new process, but none of us were completely sure. So, instead of waiting and wondering, I emailed the Boston Athletic Association because, after all, "inquiring minds want to know":

"... If I register on that day, and someone else in my division with a time that is, say, even one second faster than mine registers after the 10 min & faster registration window closes (when the next faster 5 minute window opens) would I be bumped?  Or, are we confirmed for our registration as one 'fast wave' ends and the next one begins?"

Their response:

"Thank you for your email.   On September 14th and 15th (10 minute or faster registration period) all entrants will be accepted until the last hour of registration.   If registration fills during those two days (which we feel is unlikely) then there will be a selection process.  If that is the case there is a chance that another runner could have a faster time than you do and therefore secure a spot before you do... " 

After receiving their response, I still felt that some clarification was needed, so I forwarded the email exchanged to another (running) friend for her take on it, and we were still left with some questions: 

"Thank you for your response.  To clarify,

1.  If I have been accepted by the end of that registration period, then (assuming the race hasn't filled) I won't be bumped?

2.  What happens in the event that someone with a faster qualification time than me waits until, say, the last registration day of the second week to register?

3.  When will we actually receive confirmation that we "made it" into the race--at the end of our period of registration, or at the end of the second week of the entire registration process?"

And finally, the response from the BAA Registration Office:

"You will receive confirmation of you acceptance when we are able to verify your time.   Once your registration period has ended (on September 15th) if you are accepted pending verification, you will not be "bumped out"  by a faster runner."

What will happen during those two weeks in September?  Stay tuned for the rest of the story...

Relentless Forward Motion, Ya'll...