Thursday, May 24, 2012

2,160

2,160 ...

This is the number of runners who chose to defer from running the 2012 Boston Marathon and are now eligible for the 2013 race.

Kevin sent me this article yesterday:  Boston Marathon grants 2,160 deferments for runners who sat out 2012 race due to heat

Here is the controversial snippet:
Boston Athletic Association spokesman Marc Davis says those runners will have a chance to register in August, before the rest of the field sign up. The B.A.A. doesn’t know how many will take it up on the offer. 

I am not sure how I feel about this info. That is a much larger amount of runners who deferred then we were all originally led to believe (around 400 was the first number heard). Maybe a few more questions need to be answered first:

- Due to the heat in Boston this year how many people did not run a qualifying time for 2013 and will this mean less people will be eligible to register?

- With this being the first year for lower qualifying times (5mins 59sec less across all age groups) will the 2,160 number be negligible?

- What % of the 2,160 will even come back.

- Last year you needed about a 1m 30s buffer to get in, how much buffer will we need this year and how much will the deferment runners push the buffer?

- Is it cool for me to call the 2,160 "Deferment Runners"? Because I kinda like it - let's pass this one along (-:

- What if 2013 is unseasonably hot again? Will these people be allowed to defer again?

- If I get bumped and it is close enough that one of the 2,160 took my spot (I BQ'd by 3m 35s) will I even care?

What are your thoughts on how the B.A.A. handled the situation?


Thanks for Reading,

Jeff

35 comments:

  1. Rumor also has it that some "deferred" and then ran anyway. Will they still be allowed to use their deferral?

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    Replies
    1. In the article it said they identified some people who did this and they will not be allowed in.

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  2. 2,160
    Crazy.

    That's how many miles I'm hoping to run in my Hokas this year. ;)

    I was told by someone I can't comment on this because "if you weren't there, you cannot have an opinion ".
    Seriously changing my email address.

    Love this --will be back to see what others say.

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  3. Jeff is stirring the pot. Jon is popping popcorn. I expect a good show :)

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  4. Well, I don't know if I'll even be able to run fast enough to BQ, so I don't know if my opinion counts! ;) But while I think it was wise to offer the deferral I think it should only be good for one year. So if you took it in 2012 you must run in 2013 regardless of conditions, or lose your spot and requalify. I wonder how many of the 2160 will actually requalify anyway?

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  5. Run the f'n race. Give me a break it was too hot. Maybe it might be too cold one year? Or how about too windy? Maybe the hills are a 3% grade and you trained on a treadmill at no incline? Enough of the f'n excuses.

    Run the race and that is that. I got nothing else......Jon pass the popcorn.

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    Replies
    1. Seriously, we run marathons in 95* heat after swimming 2.4mi and riding 112mi. Deferment b/c of heat just doesn't register to me?

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  6. I think that was my race number for an IM
    I'm with Jason, you run the year you are supposed to run. If you decide it's too hot, quit

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  7. I thought it was garbage that they even offered this deferrment option. Mainly because the race always sells out every year, and by having these deferment runners in the pool for 2013 it will squeeze out people who qualified and yet won't be able to run. I'm assuming that some people who qualified for 2012 weren't able to run it due to it selling out right? I didn't seem to hear much chatter about this last year.

    I guess a good example is Chicago Marathon - that race always seems to be hot. So should they have offered deferment to Chicago runners who don't want to do the race in some years? Almost every year it seems like Chicago is hotter than Boston.

    Though you are personally good with your time, I think they give preference for faster times for registration. But I could be wrong.

    Maybe I shouldn't be saying anything since I'll never BQ, but just seemed like a bad policy move by the BAA. I guess in my opinion if a race is held and the organizers don't cancel the whole thing (Chicago 2007 marathon is a good example), then runners should be there.

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  8. This is some good popcorn!

    What Jason said x2!

    "Deferment Runners" is a nicer term for them than I have.

    I have absolutely no sympathy, but apparantly because I wasn't there, I can't have an opinion???? wtf? seriously?. I suffered through Chicago 2007 (the cancelled hot year). It was hot, there was little water, so guess what, I listened to my body and walked when I needed to. Sure, my time sucked, but I finished under my own power and have the medal to prove it. What sounds better? "I finished a marathon, but it took me longer than planned because of the heat." Or, "I pussied out of running a marathon because I thought I might have to go slower than I want."

    I can't wait to see D-Rog's comment about this after doing IMSG. haha

    One other question. What about those that qualified for 2012 under the old standards and deferred? Should they be re-evaluated under the new standards in order to use their deferment for 2013?

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    Replies
    1. ha! Drog did his last swim in conditions that rival "The Perfect Storm"! Yeah, he wouldn't defer.

      I really do not have a problem with the BAA. This decision was forced on them by the recent deaths of marathoners (Chicago/San Antonio) in warm conditions. They see a forecast with unseasonably warm temps and look out the window and see a slew of Lawyers lining up in the streets.

      As a runner, I run, rain or shine. If it is hot I slow down. If it is cold I wear more clothes. If it is hot I wear less and hydrate more. I've run races in conditions much worse then Boston and never would consider not running, let alone deferring. Whatever.

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  9. I can understand the deferment because I only train in optimal weather conditions, so therefore, I should only have to race int he same type of wether temps I train in. I do not train when it is hot, rainy, potential to be raining, temps over 75 degrees if I am running long, we all know that race day will always be the perfect weather, so get off these guys backs!

    Sarcasm intended.

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  10. Top 5 potential sponsors for Boston 2013

    Asics - The Secret Weapon of Fast...is actually waiting for it to cool off.

    Brooks - Be Ready...But if you're not, you can have a do over.

    Under Armour - Protect This House...but shut the door, you're letting the AC out.

    Gatorade - Is it in you...cause if it ain't you should wait until next year.

    Nike - Just Do It...Or don't, and do it next year.

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  11. haha! You are one who like the direct approach! I think Deferment Runner sounds much more snarky, and I love snarky.

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  12. I read a great comment on ST last week after Green Bay got cancelled...someone (presumably non American) said "Americans: Can't swim below 75, can't run above 75." lol!

    I almost never have a strong opinion one way or another on these things
    However, with this one I have a huge issue!

    the biggest question becomes will the Deferrment Runners be allowed to purchase 2013 Boston Marathon Gear? Or will someone hold onto 2012 dated merchandise for them? I know personally when I see some guy next year wearing a Boston jacket or finishers shirt or one of those cool long sleeve things, and the date is 2013...im gonna be f'n impressed that they qualied under the new standards! the Deferment runners should get separate bib numbers so they get a 2012 finishers shirt!

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    Replies
    1. Separate bib numbers ...hmmmm. Where is the "Like" button?

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  13. This comment has been removed by the author.

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  14. These comments are awesome.

    If it's too hot for you to do the race, then you should have lost your spot. I've run races where I thought I might die, but postponing until next year wasn't a consideration.

    I think they should all have to run next year with a bit "D" on their backs.

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  15. You can call them pussies! I finished a 70.3 in Knoxville a few weeks back and it was in the 90's. Yeah it was hot, f---ing hot, but you slow your pace, roll with the punches and suck it up.

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  16. What they should do is increase the max by how many defer runners sign up or cut the number of charity entrants.

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    1. From what I have read they are maxed out at 27K runners so that isn't going to work. And they'll never cut the charity runners, it would be to un-charitable?

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  17. I qualified by over 8 minutes, so I assume I'm safe and hopefully I'll get into Boston 2013....

    Perhaps to make it seem more fair, they could offer the deferment runners the option to sign up when all the other registrants are signing up. I suppose that would defeat the purpose of deferring, so they'd never actually offer that option, but I like it more than giving them a giant head start.

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  18. HTFU, I know someone who BQ'd at Boston this year. Run the damn race and let the people who qualify for next year get in for 2013.

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  19. Let them run in your Texas heat then maybe they would understand what heat really is!

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    1. We did the SanAntonio RnR last November and it was in the hi 80's at the finish and we have 90% humidity in the morning. It was hot we slowed down a little. But in TX we expect hi temps and are used to them.

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  20. ummm, why cant the BAA just add 2160 people to the field? Just saying, there doesnt have to be people getting bumped, of course, that makes too much sense.

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  21. Anyone who deferred should have their V5F's, sparkly running skirts and/or ironic marathon-centric t-shirts taken away, along with any rights to enter Massachusetts on Patriots Day revoked for the next five (5) years. Further, anyone who dedicated more than one (1) blog post to whining about the heat after voluntarily deferring should have an additional five (5) years tacked on to their exile from the race.

    That should insure all your readers get in.

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  22. Great blog!

    http://therealfoodrunner.blogspot.com/

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  23. Why does this only happen in running? I don't think they've cancelled a Tri because of the heat. Maybe the number of people have something to do with it. How hard it is to slow your pace and drink more Gatorade when it's hot?

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  24. WHEW! All I can say is I'm glad I didn't defer! I don't think people who deferred are wimpy, but I also don't think the policy should have been offered. The temps sucked, our times sucked, but it was what the day gave us. That's part of the sport. You can't control the weather and in April, anything is possible, even in Boston. The biggest issue is if it will affect anyone (like you, Jeff) who would otherwise get in to 2013. If there is any ripple affect from that, well, it's just wrong!

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