Boston marathon 2019

Glencarraig

Just a heads up that GFA registration opens on Monday September 10th at 15.00 Irish time for those lucky enough to have a qualifying time (run after September 16th 2017) that is 20 minutes faster than their age group qualifying time. https://www.baa.org/races/boston-marathon/enter/registration

Itziger

Just realised I'd be able to make the date next year which normally doesn't suit. Smack in the middle of 2 week holiday! Never done this and even my not great Valencia 2017 time is 23 minutes under the age QT!!

Glencarraig

Itziger wrote: »

Just realised I'd be able to make the date next year which normally doesn't suit. Smack in the middle of 2 week holiday! Never done this and even my not great Valencia 2017 time is 23 minutes under the age QT!!

Should be elected on the first count so.

Limpy

Applied, how long does it take to process?

purelike

Limpy wrote: »

Applied, how long does it take to process?

Nice stuff, Limpy. You’re in for a treat!

Last year I applied on the 13th of Sept and was accepted on the 17th.

Glencarraig

purelike wrote: »

Nice stuff, Limpy. You’re in for a treat!

Last year I applied on the 13th of Sept and was accepted on the 17th.

The entry fee was taken on my credit card on Tuesday, not sure if it is just to verify the card or its a good sign !!!

Glencarraig

Glencarraig wrote: »

The entry fee was taken on my credit card on Tuesday, not sure if it is just to verify the card or its a good sign !!!

I'm in, just got the confirmation email.

bonaparte2

just entered

Limpy

I'm in, hotels are expensive all the same lol

tommykb

Congratulations! Still waiting, entry went in on Friday afternoon so should get the news early this week

Limpy

I'm sure you'll all get in. I booked an apartment (Free Cancellation) 1 T stop from Boston College, (south Street) for me and herself. Everything else is crazy money. The only issue is getting in to the city on marathon morning to get the bus. Its 45 minutes on the T.

Open to suggestions as I have never been to the city.

thomas anderson.

Applied on the 12th with a >13 min QT in the 35-39 Cat. Transaction is pending on the CC.

Still havent heard anything

tommykb

Got my email/place last night - now the saving starts!

bonaparte2

thomas anderson. wrote: »

Applied on the 12th with a >13 min QT in the 35-39 Cat. Transaction is pending on the CC.

Still havent heard anything

same here

thomas anderson.

bonaparte2 wrote: »

same here

And now we are 2 :cool:

pgmcpq

thomas anderson. wrote: »

Applied on the 12th with a >13 min QT in the 35-39 Cat. Transaction is pending on the CC.

Still havent heard anything

bonaparte2 wrote: »

same here

thomas anderson. wrote: »

And now we are 2 :cool:

The registration re opened again yesterday so anything -5 or better is in (barring an extraordinary surge of late BQ-5 registrations). The time taken to send a confirmation is entirely random. Lsst year it look over a week after I registered. This year I had the confirmation on Friday. It varies by race and I suspect is generally slower for races outside the US. There was reportedly a tweet from BAA that "a small percentage" from week 2 registrations would be accepted. Also reportedly a rejection for BQ-2.57 has been seen. (Letsrun being the source for this info)

Limpy

pgmcpq wrote: »

The registration re opened again yesterday so anything -5 or better is in (barring an extraordinary surge of late BQ-5 registrations). The time taken to send a confirmation is entirely random. Lsst year it look over a week after I registered. This year I had the confirmation on Friday. It varies by race and I suspect is generally slower for races outside the US. There was reportedly a tweet from BAA that "a small percentage" from week 2 registrations would be accepted. Also reportedly a rejection for BQ-2.57 has been seen. (Letsrun being the source for this info)

See is your name on the entry list.

I read some lad put in his half marathon time. He got in but has since been found out.

AAD

Am I right in thinking this is the GFA registration that is open at the minute, and that it will be a lottery for everyone outside of the GFA regulations??

Murph_D

There is no general lottery for Boston. If you don’t have a GFA, you need to go the tourist route. Marathon Tours International should be able to sort you out.

AAD

Murph_D wrote: »

There is no general lottery for Boston. If you don’t have a GFA, you need to go the tourist route. Marathon Tours International should be able to sort you out.

So GFA or get ripped off by a travel agent.

purelike

This is the Boston Marathon, so it should be thought of as BQ, not GFA in my mind.



One thing to remember is that getting you’re BQ doesn’t guarantee you entry, you would want to be 4 minutes faster than it to be sure. For more details read here; https://www.runnersworld.com/news/a20861865/2018-boston-marathon-cut-off-time/. I suspect that the cut-offs will be more forgiving this year, as lasts years race was slow.

bonaparte2

purelike wrote: »

This is the Boston Marathon, so it should be thought of as BQ, not GFA in my mind.



One thing to remember is that getting you’re BQ doesn’t guarantee you entry, you would want to be 4 minutes faster than it to be sure. For more details read here; https://www.runnersworld.com/news/a20861865/2018-boston-marathon-cut-off-time/. I suspect that the cut-offs will be more forgiving this year, as lasts years race was slow.

https://mathematicalrunner.com/2018/09/11/what-you-thought-the-boston-marathon-cutoff-will-be/

other peoples hunches

Glencarraig

Does anybody have any experience of the situation with the T on race day. I have a hotel booked with free cancellation but it's about a 25 minute trip to Boston Common and the station is 15 minutes from my hotel. I have heard that the T runs early on race day but does it run early on all the lines and from how far out. The alternative is to book an Air B&B a bit closer to downtown but prices have gone a bit mad since the acceptance emails started going out. I have been told that you need to be on a specified bus to the start depending on your corral number. Any advice/suggestions welcome.

Limpy

Glencarraig wrote: »

Does anybody have any experience of the situation with the T on race day. I have a hotel booked with free cancellation but it's about a 25 minute trip to Boston Common and the station is 15 minutes from my hotel. I have heard that the T runs early on race day but does it run early on all the lines and from how far out. The alternative is to book an Air B&B a bit closer to downtown but prices have gone a bit mad since the acceptance emails started going out. I have been told that you need to be on a specified bus to the start depending on your corral number. Any advice/suggestions welcome.

I checked most of the Airbnb myself before entry. Prices still high and locations not great. Best bet is a 3+ room apt split between a few people.

I booked a hostel which was booked out when rooms became available few months ago. Think it was 300 from Friday to Tuesday. 1 bed in 4 bed dorm near Boston Common. But I'm going with herself now so needed a normal place. If someone on here wants it I can ask mail them to change name.

Murph_D

AAD wrote: »

So GFA or get ripped off by a travel agent.

Well I wouldn’t even consider the tourist route yet. Boston is relatively easy to qualify for. Good luck!

purelike

Glencarraig wrote: »

Does anybody have any experience of the situation with the T on race day. [...] I have heard that the T runs early on race day but does it run early on all the lines and from how far out. [...] I have been told that you need to be on a specified bus to the start depending on your corral number. Any advice/suggestions welcome.

The T starts running before the buses start leaving Boston Common. It’s very easy to use. You can get like a 5 days T pass which is very cheap, like $15 or something.

You don’t need to be on a specific bus. You are told to be waiting to board at Boston Common between certain times depending on your wave, that said, last year I was late for my bus wave and was left on the next no bother.

The bag drop situation is different there. You drop your bag for after the race just after the finish line, then you walk to Boston Common and go through security to get to the buses. You are allowed to bring another bag with you here to Hopkinton. I think this bag has to be clear for security reasons.

Limpy

purelike wrote: »

The T starts running before the buses start leaving Boston Common. It’s very easy to use. You can get like a 5 days T pass which is very cheap, like $15 or something.

You don’t need to be on a specific bus. You are told to be waiting to board at Boston Common between certain times depending on your wave, that said, last year I was late for my bus wave and was left on the next no bother.

The bag drop situation is different there. You drop your bag for after the race just after the finish line, then you walk to Boston Common and go through security to get to the buses. You are allowed to bring another bag with you here to Hopkinton. I think this bag has to be clear for security reasons.

Also what you take to hopkinton stays in hopkinton, unless you want to run with it. It's a shame that bag situation is like this. Is the logistics involved to much or is it purely a reaction to 2013.

Glencarraig

Limpy wrote: »

Also what you take to hopkinton stays in hopkinton, unless you want to run with it. It's a shame that bag situation is like this. Is the logistics involved to much or is it purely a reaction to 2013.

Well there the final resting place for my "Ron Hill Tracksters" then and I'm sure I have a rag of a long sleeve tee in the back of a drawer somewhere.

PaulieYifter

Hello all. I'm in again - 7th year in a row (although I missed 2 with injury). Anyway, I'm a bit of a fanatic for this race so any queries be happy to recount my experiences to date - was there for the 1st time in 2013 but thankfully since then the only curve balls have been weather related.

WithCheesePlease

PaulieYifter wrote: »

H...so any queries be happy to recount my experiences to date...

Hey, I might take you up on your offer if you don't mind!

I've signed up for next year, can't wait. I'm curious about race day logistics... From brief googling I can see waves could have one starting any time up to almost noon (I'm in the 35-39 bracket with a BQ time of 2:58). I'm curious, once you cross the finish line, is it quick enough to make your way through to grabbing your medal and all the way to collecting your dropped bag and away? Or is that all a bit of an ordeal with crowds and security? I'm all for soaking in the atmosphere and enjoying the occasion and the experience, but at the same time, I booked myself on the Aer Lingus flight back on the Monday night at 21:30 for a reason that seemed logical at the time, but I'm now starting to wonder if I've made a giant mistake! Any thoughts? I'm sure it's going to be doable, but just wondering if there's anything particularly nutty about the post-race experience that I should be aware of?

bonaparte2

I've signed up too. I was in Boston as a spectator in 2017 . It was pouring rain, a terrible day altogether as you may recall. The next day I was doing the tourist stuff, the MFA and a bit of Harvard as well as the city centre. I saw the runners everywhere, on the trains especially.
I think the next day to be walking around the town allows you to savour your achievement and to bask in the admiration and perhaps envy of those that did not run. Getting out of Dodge with your medal asap would not be my choice though I understand people are limited by time or money or other obligations.

purelike

WithCheesePlease wrote: »

Hey, I might take you up on your offer if you don't mind!

I've signed up for next year, can't wait. I'm curious about race day logistics... From brief googling I can see waves could have one starting any time up to almost noon (I'm in the 35-39 bracket with a BQ time of 2:58). I'm curious, once you cross the finish line, is it quick enough to make your way through to grabbing your medal and all the way to collecting your dropped bag and away? Or is that all a bit of an ordeal with crowds and security? I'm all for soaking in the atmosphere and enjoying the occasion and the experience, but at the same time, I booked myself on the Aer Lingus flight back on the Monday night at 21:30 for a reason that seemed logical at the time, but I'm now starting to wonder if I've made a giant mistake! Any thoughts? I'm sure it's going to be doable, but just wondering if there's anything particularly nutty about the post-race experience that I should be aware of?

If you have a BQ of 2:58 you will be in either corral 3 or 4 of the first wave. Up he very front basically. Congratulations.


https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-bzUY6jAoCkk/WIgX3iydhhI/AAAAAAAAMIU/Q28d-mycqgEBx8sUQoIkSfhIFBBPXAM2ACLcB/w1200-h630-p-k-no-nu/Boston%2BMarathon%2B-%2B2016%2BCorrals.jpg

Collecting your bag, medel, goodie bag, etc is extremely simple. You continue on down Boylston after the finish, collecting your stuff. The baggage drop is at the end near Boston Common, where you started in the morning.

The security is the same as for the DCM, and way less onerous than Berlin which is my only other point of reference.

I wouldn’t like to go back on the Monday night as you will miss out on the postrace buzz, events and free visit to Fenway Park, etc. You’ll see all the details of these events in your start card once it arrives next year. The Tuesday evening flight would be my preferred option. On Tuesday morning there is a great buzz of people walking around in their jackets and medels in the city centre – yes, they actually do this in a non-ironic way. You can also get your time sewn onto your jacket (jacket costs about e85) or engraved onto your medel for free in I think the Addidas shop by the finish line.

WithCheesePlease

Thanks for the info! I was confused with the difference between waves and corrals and assumed I'd be in one of the last waves. Thanks for clearing that up.

I've run Berlin and London too, so I'm familiar with how long it can take to get your bits and get through. Just wasn't sure if Boston would be crazy with security and the rest.

Totally get the post-race buzz but I need to be back to Dublin ASAP so just trying to work out if it's feasible and possible to get the flight the same night. I've been to Boston tons of times and have done all the touristy stuff so I'm not too bothered about that. It's more the post-race buzz I'd be bothered about missing, but it'll just have to be unfortunately.

Might get extra kudos for wearing the jacket through Logan that night on the way for a long haul flight . That said, I flew 11 hours to San Fran last Oct the morning after DCM and no one cared a damn!

Limpy

The Norwegian return flight from providance was 80 euro for the Tuesday late return. I booked that with bag, extra leg room and meal for €150. Will prob fly into logan on the Friday for the outward journey.

I will defo get the Jacket too.

All we need is the weather, regardless of how bad it is (or not) we worked hard to qualify so I will savour it even if it snows!!

PaulieYifter

Debating myself whether to head home the night of the race or hang around. Will probably hang around. There is a great buzz around the city even the day after with loads of random congrats.

By the way my time is 2:59 so likely to be in the same corral as you WCP depending on how wave 1 is carved up.

opus

PaulieYifter wrote: »

Debating myself whether to head home the night of the race or hang around. Will probably hang around. There is a great buzz around the city even the day after with loads of random congrats.

By the way my time is 2:59 so likely to be in the same corral as you WCP depending on how wave 1 is carved up.

Are you getting the jacket I've never regretted not getting it despite what people kept telling me!

thomas anderson.

Where do you get the jacket? Can you buy one at the expo?

PaulieYifter

thomas anderson. wrote: »

Where do you get the jacket? Can you buy one at the expo?

It’s hard to get out of the expo without buying one!

PaulieYifter

opus wrote: »

Are you getting the jacket I've never regretted not getting it despite what people kept telling me!

Well I have 4 already - one more and I’ll have a different one for each working day

bonaparte2

https://www.baa.org/2019-boston-marathon-qualifier-acceptances

4.52

Zebra3

bonaparte2 wrote: »

https://www.baa.org/2019-boston-marathon-qualifier-acceptances

4.52

Wonderful news 4 weeks before Dublin. :rolleyes:

purelike

4:52, wow, I thought it would be lower because of the bad weather. Did ye see that they are taking 5 minutes off all the qualifying times for 2020?

https://www.runnersworld.com/news/a23481338/boston-marathon-qualifying-times/

tommykb

PaulieYifter wrote: »

opus wrote: »

Are you getting the jacket I've never regretted not getting it despite what people kept telling me!

Well I have 4 already - one more and I’ll have a different one for each working day

1st Boston, damn sure I'll be getting the jacket  Better be a nice one (no pinks please)

Limpy

I like the traditional Boston yellow and blue. Hopefully that's the jacket colour!!

Taking 5 mins off next year will match London. Basically sub 3. So in theory you need run sub 2:40 to get in on the first window!!

opus

tommykb wrote: »

1st Boston, damn sure I'll be getting the jacket  Better be a nice one (no pinks please)

I gave it a miss cause I didn't like the colour that year which led to endless talk of how much I'd regret it from my fellow boardies back in 2015, have plenty regrets but that isn't one of them

Limpy

PaulieYifter wrote: »

Well I have 4 already - one more and I’ll have a different one for each working day

Paulie what's the difference in start times for the waves. Let's say wave 1 elites and speedys, how long after is segment 2 of wave 1 waiting to cross the start line?

WithCheesePlease

Yeah, I'd love to know more about the waves and corrals. This sentence confuses the hell out of me!

http://raceday.baa.org/entrants.html wrote:

The break between Wave 1 (10:00 a.m. start time) and Wave 2 (10:25 a.m. start time) is 3:09:36. The break between Wave 2 and Wave 3 (10:50 a.m. start time) is 3:28:48. The break between Wave 3 and Wave 4 (11:15 a.m. start time) is 3:57:39.

That was for 2018. Are the breaks they're referring to qualifying times or what?

martyboy48

So 2020 qualifying times will be reduced by 5 mins... I must try harder as they are taking away my auld age advantage ☺

pgmcpq

WithCheesePlease wrote: »

Yeah, I'd love to know more about the waves and corrals. This sentence confuses the hell out of me!



That was for 2018. Are the breaks they're referring to qualifying times or what?

Yes, the waves are determine by qualifying time. So if you are in a time below 3.09.36 you will be in wave 1 starting at 10am, if you are above 3.09 but below 3.28.48 you will be in wave 2 starting at 10.20am … etc, etc. It's why you see people do a second marathon to try to improve their time and move up a wave.

On another note: I'm only in because I happen to have a February birthday. -4.52 is going to mean a lot of very very unhappy people at my next club run. They really should have moved the targets in by 5 mins last year.

PaulieYifter

Limpy wrote: »

Paulie what's the difference in start times for the waves. Let's say wave 1 elites and speedys, how long after is segment 2 of wave 1 waiting to cross the start line?

Elite Women c. 9:30
Elite Men and Wave 1 10:00
Wave 2 10:25
Wave 3 10:50
Wave 4 11:15

I was in Wave 1 Corral 5 (maybe 6) last time and it took 3 minutes to cross the start line. I was allocated this slot for a 2:59 qualifying time.

The Waves and Corrals within the Waves are evenly distributed based on qualifying times (or any improvements submitted) with the fastest to the front.

Although its busy as any big marathon start is it moves very well from the start as its well policed and you are running in the middle of people with similar qualifying times so the people around you generally shift at a similar pace.

Limpy

PaulieYifter wrote: »

Elite Women c. 9:30
Elite Men and Wave 1 10:00
Wave 2 10:25
Wave 3 10:50
Wave 4 11:15

I was in Wave 1 Corral 5 (maybe 6) last time and it took 3 minutes to cross the start line. I was allocated this slot for a 2:59 qualifying time.

The Waves and Corrals within the Waves are evenly distributed based on qualifying times (or any improvements submitted) with the fastest to the front.

Although its busy as any big marathon start is it moves very well from the start as its well policed and you are running in the middle of people with similar qualifying times so the people around you generally shift at a similar pace.

Did you travel with thtr misses, how did they find getting a spectator spot and moving around on the day.

Did you get the early bus?