FLRC Newsletter - Apr 2004
Tips for Applying for Marathons
 

Does anyone join me in yearning for the good 'ole days when you didn't have to sign up for a marathon at least six months in advance to become an official entrant?

If you have your sights set on the autumn "Big Dance" -- New York, Marine Corps and Chicago, for examples, you'll have to fire up the computer and pull out the credit card before the spring flowers begin to bloom.

Race applications and instructions for runners and wheelchair participants seeking an official slot in the ING New York City Marathon, which takes place Nov. 7, are now available online at www.nyrrc.org.

Two facts: 35,000 runners will be accepted from 100 countries and 50 states, and you must be at least 18 years of age on race day.

Except for runners categorized as "guaranteed entrants," as I'll explain later, all official runners will be selected by random lottery to occur in mid-June.

Runners entering the lottery must submit an online or hard copy application by midnight June 1. Guaranteed entrants must submit applications by May 1.

A non-refundable processing fee of $7 will be charged each runner for online or mailed applications. The entry fee for the 2004 ING New York City Marathon is $80 for non-New York Road Runner (club) members, or $70 for members. Although New York offers plenty of perks, this fee does not cover all marathon-related activities, such as the bus to the Staten Island starting arena. The bus ride will cost an extra $15, and you should definitely opt for that service. New York organizers also charge for the results booklet ($8), but I suggest you buy the New York Times the day after the race, and you'll have a cheaper full record of results.

Runners meeting the following guaranteed entry criteria don't have to sweat the lottery. But you do have to complete the application procedures by May 1. Here's the five "easy" guaranteed ways in:

  1. Membership in the New York Road Runners since Jan. 31, 2003, and completion of at least nine NYRR-scored races in the 2003 calendar year.
  2. Entrants in the 2003 New York City Marathon who canceled prior to last year's event.
  3. Anyone who has completed 15 or more New York City Marathons. The NYRR have the personal records which can be accessed on their Web site.
  4. Anyone rejected entry (bad luck of the draw) to the last three New York City Marathon (2001-2003).
  5. Applicants achieving half marathon or marathon age-group time standards on USA Track & Field distance-certified courses. Go to www.nyrrc.org, and click on the New York City Marathon link. You'll find the age-group performance charts for open (18-39), masters (40-49), veterans (50-59) and seniors (60-over), none of which has anything to do with the Boston Marathon standards.  You can start by running the Skunk Cabbage Classic Half Marathon April 4 in Ithaca, as one qualifying source. Note, marathon times posted since Sept. 2002, or half marathon times run since July 2003, do count as qualifiers.

For additional information on the ING New York City Marathon, go to their Web site, call 212/423-2249; e-mail: marathonmailer@nyrrc.org.

The LaSalle Bank Chicago Marathon, slated for Oct. 10, will accept 40,000 applicants through Sept. 2 or a capacity crowd is reached. The entry fee is $80; runners also can apply for a competitive or perferred start depending on marathon/half marathon seed times. Go to www.chicagomarathon.com for application information.

What does April Fool's Day and Halloween have to do with the 29th annual Marine Corps Marathon? Lottery applications become available April 1, and the "Peoples' Marathon" takes place on Oct. 31, 2004, in Washington, D.C.

Online applications only for the Marine Corps Marathon lottery will be accepted from April 1 to June 1. Beginning on May 5 through June 2, a weekly drawing will begin to fill the official field of 18,000 entrants. When your name is drawn, you'll receive instant confirmation via e-mail, and your name will be posted on their Web site.

Applicants must be at least 14 years of age; the marathon entry fee is $85.

All runners also can opt for a "group" entry with friends and family who also want to run. First, you all must register as individuals, then select a name for your group and create a password which all of your group members can access and declare on the application. If the group is accepted in the lottery, all its members are accepted. No name additions once the lottery is completed.

For more information, go to www.marinemarathon.com.

[This article originally appeared in the Elmira Star-Gazette.]

— Diane Sherrer








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