Chicago marathon 2014 registration

[jordylee]

I didn't see any posts about it yet, but it looks like what we all suspected would happen...happened. 2014 will be a lottery system for Chicago. I have mixed feelings. One of my favorite things about Chicago is that it is a marathon major that has always been first come, first serve (regardless of finish time, number of marathons run, etc). Also, the number of locals who run is huge. That being said, last year's registration process was a nightmare so something had to be done. Its just a shame that they couldn't find someone else who could handle the volume.

I wonder if/how this is going to affect all of the local training groups? My guess is a lot of locals are going to run other/smaller races instead (that way they can be guaranteed to all get into the same race as a group). I think they should have opted to have a guaranteed entry option for locals (like NYRR does) moreso than qualifying times. 

I'm sad to say that I think I'll opt out this year.

[runaways]

This doesn't really affect me as I wasn't going to try to get in again this year, but I also liked that they had managed to keep it first come, first served after so many races moved to lotteries. Although to be fair, last year definitely was a total cluster. I'll be interested to see how it goes.

[clseale]

Aww, man. That sucks. Selfishly, all I can think is thank god I did it when I did. It was awesome that such a huge race was so easy to get into. I feel bad for everyone who has it on their list.

[G22]

Yea I was a bit bummed when I saw this. I want to do it someday, but my times are nowhere what they need to be for a lottery system race.

Oh well, I'll continue to dream it may still happen.

[mfluder]

Can someone break this down for me: I need a qualifying time for the lottery?

Not at all ready for this. Thinking in a year. Ideally. Lol.

[chitownbelle]

Yea, 3:45 marathon time for women to guarantee an entry. I missed this by just under 2 min, good thing I'm not trying to run it again this year!

[chitownbelle]

And no, not for the lottery. Anyone can sign up for the lottery.

[clseale]

Jan 17, 2014 1:37:32 GMT -5 chitownbelle said:

Yea, 3:45 marathon time for women to guarantee an entry. I missed this by just under 2 min, good thing I'm not trying to run it again this year!

Oh, I didn't look it up. I didn't realize that you could qualify as well. Hmmm. This still sucks for a large majority of people, but at least qualifying times are much easier than NYC! 

[skwcm80]

I was planning on making Chicago my first marathon. I guess I'll enter the lottery and hope for the best.

[jene]

Come do Twin Cities instead


eta: @vtcupcake was supposed to be tagged in this

[clseale]

Jan 17, 2014 7:13:20 GMT -5 @vtcupcake said:

Yeah, so that redemption marathon I was planning? :/

Does it have to be a fall race? There are so many other races that the board can suggest for this. Chicago is a great race, and I'm so glad I did it, but there are a million other AWESOME races out there for your redemption marathon. 

[cinco]

I am not surprised it moved to a lottery, but wish there wasn't a qualification time, or that it was a more competitive one so it didn't take away from as many of the lottery spots. I'm sure they did the research though, and the numbers weren't pulled out of their asses. Hopefully most people who want to run it will still be able to.

[runaways]

Jan 17, 2014 8:12:10 GMT -5 cinco said:

I am not surprised it moved to a lottery, but wish there wasn't a qualification time, or that it was a more competitive one so it didn't take away from as many of the lottery spots. I'm sure they did the research though, and the numbers weren't pulled out of their asses. Hopefully most people who want to run it will still be able to.

Houston isn't as popular as Chicago (although it's also not as big) but the qualification cutoffs are even more generous and it seems to be working okay. I think there are limited early registration spots.

[clseale]

Jan 17, 2014 8:12:10 GMT -5 cinco said:

I am not surprised it moved to a lottery, but wish there wasn't a qualification time, or that it was a more competitive one so it didn't take away from as many of the lottery spots. I'm sure they did the research though, and the numbers weren't pulled out of their asses. Hopefully most people who want to run it will still be able to.

I was originally thinking the same thing about the bolded, but I think there will still be a TON of spots open. I was shocked to see that out of a field of 40,000, my 3:39 time put me in the top 6,000. While a huge race, it's not Boston, and it's not NYC. I think it's nice that people that aren't quite at those times yet, can still qualify for a major race. It still sucks that they had to turn to this solution.

[Wines Not Whines]

I feel the same way about MCM becoming a lottery. Registration was a cluster last year, so I understand why they changed it, but I still don't like it. The first year I ran it, which wasn't that long ago (2009), I didn't even have to sign up the first day registration opened. I think registration was open for a few weeks before it closed. Things have gotten crazy.

[runaways]

Jan 17, 2014 9:32:11 GMT -5 Wines Not Whines said:

I feel the same way about MCM becoming a lottery. Registration was a cluster last year, so I understand why they changed it, but I still don't like it. The first year I ran it, which wasn't that long ago (2009), I didn't even have to sign up the first day registration opened. I think registration was open for a few weeks before it closed. Things have gotten crazy.

I feel like running marathons is kind of a trendy thing right now. Maybe I'm wrong but I keep expecting that one year soon it's going to start dropping off a little bit.

[emuni04]

I'm bummed for my sister, because she was planning on registering for it this year and found out yesterday about the lottery. I had such a great first marathon experience at that race and was hoping that she would get the opportunity to participate. She is looking to do Twin Cities instead.

[ebeth]

I understand why these big races going to lottery is upsetting for those of us who the race is 'local'. But I don't know what the solution is. First come first serve was not working anymore. Maybe setting a certain number of slots for locals but then how do you define 'local'. You can't please everyone...

[lb2006]

Jan 17, 2014 9:32:11 GMT -5 Wines Not Whines said:

I feel the same way about MCM becoming a lottery. Registration was a cluster last year, so I understand why they changed it, but I still don't like it. The first year I ran it, which wasn't that long ago (2009), I didn't even have to sign up the first day registration opened. I think registration was open for a few weeks before it closed. Things have gotten crazy.

This is crazy.  I feel like many bigger marathons are probably going to feel the strain of registration overload and move more towards this....

[hurricanedrunk]

Jan 17, 2014 7:36:26 GMT -5 skwcm80 said:

I was planning on making Chicago my first marathon. I guess I'll enter the lottery and hope for the best.

Yup this is me as well. Sad to hear about the lottery.

[lb2006]

@vtcupcake

You totally should run MDI marathon as a redemption race.  Beautiful scenery, coastal Maine in the fall?  YES