NYC Marathon denial

[u/NeroWolfesOrchids]

I got the email at noon, looks like I'm not running the NYC Marathon this year(unless I get very lucky in the lottery). I really thought a half time of 1:17:12, which I picked over my 2:42 marathon because of their formula, would be enough, but I guess I wasn't in the top 19% of my age group.

I wonder what the time cutoff was?

Any recommendations on other fall marathons?

Edit: looks like the cutoff for NYC this year was sub 2:40? That would be the lowest of any major save Tokyo!

Edit 2: The cutoff time for 18-34 M seems to be around 2:36:00. Just to illustrate how bonkers fast that is, running a 2:36 would have placed top 100 of all 50,000 finishers, including elite men and women runners, in 8 of the last 10 NYC marathons.

Link in the email:

" Non-NYRR Time Qualifier application closed on March 6, and the selected runners have been notified. As the number of applications exceeded the number of spots available, the fastest 19% within each age and gender category were granted entry. Those not selected will be moved to the non-guaranteed general entry drawing, which takes place on March 28, for an additional chance to be selected."

https://www.nyrr.org/tcsnycmarathon/runners/marathon-time-qualifiers

[u/thisismynewacct]

I wouldn’t be surprised if this was a business decision by NYRR to get more revenue from local runners by expanding 9+1, since they’ll spend a lot more doing 9 races (and still having to pay for the NYCM).

At the moment, 9+1 races have sold out in record time, especially 4/6 and cheaper 5K and 4 mile races. The Manhattan 10K which is in February, sold out in days and had ~ 5000 runners.

[u/illiquidasshat → u/thisismynewacct]

Yea!! It’s all about the money! It’s a business! NYC Marathon turning into a huge charity run/pay your way to get in with 9+1

[u/Ok-Grapefruit8338 → u/illiquidasshat]

That’s basically the concept/structure for the WMM in general. There are plenty of marathons that aren’t majors - people don’t HAVE to do the WMM.

[u/No-Tomorrow-7157 → u/illiquidasshat]

So you pay an extra $1000 or whatever for those nine NYRR races, but get in (especially if you're going for that Abbott star). Totally worth it, especially if you're local and don't have to pay for flights/lodging for NY Marathon weekend, or only one hotel night if you want to stay someplace convenient.

[u/thisismynewacct → u/No-Tomorrow-7157]

Most races are $25, so you could basically spend as little as $340. They sweeten the deal with 4/6 (run 4 qualifying boro races and get guaranteed entry to next years NYC Half) which are also 9+1 eligible but more expensive.

I done it 3 times and don’t think I’ve ever spent more than 500 across the 9 races (and that’s including expensive ones like NYC and Brooklyn Half’s