Downside to the recent running boom

[Wines Not Whines]

I'm glad so many people are into running and races, but popular races have become increasingly difficult to get into, even races that have 25,000+ registrations. I used to be able to wait days or even weeks to sign up for certain races, but now they fill up within a couple of hours. And some of them have moved to lotteries, which means it's a total crapshoot.

I know a lot of people prefer smaller, lesser-known races for this reason, but I like the big races. I've run some of these for 5+ years, so it's become a tradition. I just wish fewer people loved them!

[gummybear]

I hear ya! The Broad Street Run here in Philadelphia sold out in 5 hours. Over 40,000 people! They had massive registration issues and needed a lottery for the last few thousand spots.

I always encourage people to start becoming physically fit, but w/ BS, it's like a "status" thing. A lot of people I know in real life around here who have never run 3 feet in their life registered because it's the cool race to say you are running. Then they ended up not training and selling their spots or not using it at all. It's one thing to register and have to give up a spot b/c of injury or conflict or something, but kind of annoying to just register b/c everyone is doing it and then not make an effort to actually run. Esp. when there were a ton of people who really wanted a spot.

[ebeth]

co-signed.

I HATE that it's such a struggle to get into the local, easily accessible, races. pretty much every race that happens within a 5 mi radius of my house is a big race. I kind of wish they'd open some of these races (ATM, MCM, Cherry Blossom) to locals for a day or two first, or reserve X amount of spaces in the lotteries for locals.

one of my CWs got up at 1201 AM to register for the ATM. that shit is BANANAS.

[Deleted]

May 15, 2012 8:29:54 GMT -5 gummybear said:

I hear ya! The Broad Street Run here in Philadelphia sold out in 5 hours. Over 40,000 people! They had massive registration issues and needed a lottery for the last few thousand spots.

I always encourage people to start becoming physically fit, but w/ BS, it's like a "status" thing. A lot of people I know in real life around here who have never run 3 feet in their life registered because it's the cool race to say you are running. Then they ended up not training and selling their spots or not using it at all. It's one thing to register and have to give up a spot b/c of injury or conflict or something, but kind of annoying to just register b/c everyone is doing it and then not make an effort to actually run. Esp. when there were a ton of people who really wanted a spot.

This is exactly why when people ask if I'm doing BS I tell them no and that I probably never will. I don't want to run that race with 40,000 people or however many might actually show.

[shelbyann]

It is frustrating, but the number of races offered is expanding too...probably hasn't caught up to demand yet, but just look at the quick expansion of Rock n Roll races, those Hot Chocolate races, etc...there are people willing to pay big bucks to do those, and someone will find a way to take advantage of that!

Start a new tradition with a smaller race. They're more fun anyway.

That said...I did register for the Peachtree 10K this year, I don't even know why. Just to say I did it, I guess. It's going to be a disaster!

[SuziSaysDa]

Yes! I feel like I have to make a calendar of which races I want to sign up for and when registration opens, so when it opens I register as early as possible. If I wait for the email or take a day to think about it, its gone.

[taratru]

I completely agree. I know this sounds snobby, but I really wish newbies would run at smaller races for a while until they learn the ropes of race day.

[LWoods]

I'd really like to run a race, but I feel like if I sign up (even for a small charity type one) someone will just be annoyed that I took a spot from a "real" runner. Sucks that all the spots keep getting taken, but keep in mind there are some of us newbies that don't want to get in the way.

[katinthehat]

Shelby, from what I remember of Peachtree, if you get a seeded spot, it's not that bad. It's the lottery people that muck it up so. The one year I ran it, I started so far back Josh was done with his race by the time I crossed the starting line

[joenali]

I like smaller races. I did RnR Seattle once and that was enough. I just don't like all the hype associated with these giant races. I like to keep it local. I think I am going to sign up for Ironman Canada this summer . They do have cutoffs and from what I hear the races are run incredibly well, but you also pay almost $700 to race.

[brittmk0922]

May 15, 2012 9:43:05 GMT -5 LWoods said:

I'd really like to run a race, but I feel like if I sign up (even for a small charity type one) someone will just be annoyed that I took a spot from a "real" runner. Sucks that all the spots keep getting taken, but keep in mind there are some of us newbies that don't want to get in the way.

I have the same mentality about it. I keep considering signing up but everytime I do I end up staying back and not doing it so the 'real' runners can do it... then I get frustrated that I'm not letting myself take that step.

[bluelikejazz]

May 15, 2012 9:39:21 GMT -5 taratru said:

I completely agree. I know this sounds snobby, but I really wish newbies would run at smaller races for a while until they learn the ropes of race day.

I actually disagree because I feel like most "big races" are so much better organized, that the newbies are more likely to learn quickly and will be a better participant at smaller races after having done a big race.

Where as most of the small races I've been to have been run terribly, courses are changed, water isn't where it's supposed to be (or has run out), course support is awful. If I had been a newbie, I would have been scared from signing up for another race thinking they are all like that.

[shelbyann]

May 15, 2012 9:45:30 GMT -5 katinthehat said:

Shelby, from what I remember of Peachtree, if you get a seeded spot, it's not that bad. It's the lottery people that muck it up so. The one year I ran it, I started so far back Josh was done with his race by the time I crossed the starting line

I think I'll be in corral A, which is just behind the "Top Seed" and "Sub Seed" people. It shouldn't be too bad, I guess. Probably not going to PR in July in Atlanta anyway.

[sadlebred]

May 15, 2012 10:22:07 GMT -5 shelbyann said:

I think I'll be in corral A, which is just behind the "Top Seed" and "Sub Seed" people. It shouldn't be too bad, I guess. Probably not going to PR in July in Atlanta anyway.

You should be fine. I'll be meeting friends to ride bikes after they run the Peachtree while I sleep in. ;D

[MiniLove]

I'm amazed at how much money people are dropping on doing so many races every year. I know, my heart probably belongs more truly on MM (lol), but I have a hard time doing a ton of "fun" races with friends just because. Just this spring alone, I've turned down at least 3 5k's, the color run, and a beer run (fun but dang it was pricey!) from friends who invited me. I like having a good time, but I'm on a budget, people! Because of the demand, I feel like race entries keep going up. Fair, but sucks.