Still trying to qualify for Boston. I have had injury problems and decided to wait to sign up for Myrtle Beach, which is what I have been training for. It is sold out now.
Does anyone have a feeling about Austin vs Hyannis as a qualifying marathon? I know that neither is ideal. I hear Austin is hilly now, though the course profile looks pretty moderate. Hyannis is 40 miles away from home, so if it is roughly the same speed as Austin, I would probably go for that. I would be interested to hear about other possibilities too . . . what do people think about the “last chance” marathon? It doesn’t hold much appeal to me and seems like you could easily get some horrible weather, but might consider it if it were highly recommended.
My wife and i are going to watch the last chance marathon as one of our friends is racing it hoping to get into Boston. Seems nutty but i can’t wait to go watch it!
Austin is hilly my marathon was about 6-7 minutes slower than my Dallas marathon time. 6-7 minutes if you are cutting it close for qualification may be a deal breaker.
Hyannis you’re as likely to get a gorgeous spring day as you are a snowstorm, that’s New England weather.
I will likely be there running the 1/2 - maybe I’ll see you there!
As a follow-up, what are the odds that Boston is closed prior to Hyannis? Or Austin for that matter? I’m starting to think that I’m screwed and might as well start planning for next year.
Austin is not sold out, but it will be a tough race to get a specific time if you are skirting the edge in the first place as it is pretty hilly on the front end.
From the web site:
Both race routes favor athletes who have prepared with some hill running in their training and plan to run even splits or negative splits. Did you know: More people ran the Boston marathon last year citing a qualifying time from Austin than any other race in Texas.
Hyannis you’re as likely to get a gorgeous spring day as you are a snowstorm, that’s New England weather.
I will likely be there running the 1/2 - maybe I’ll see you there!
As a follow-up, what are the odds that Boston is closed prior to Hyannis? Or Austin for that matter? I’m starting to think that I’m screwed and might as well start planning for next year.
My husband was told registration will be full by the second week in February this year -
Hyannis you’re as likely to get a gorgeous spring day as you are a snowstorm, that’s New England weather.
I will likely be there running the 1/2 - maybe I’ll see you there!
As a follow-up, what are the odds that Boston is closed prior to Hyannis? Or Austin for that matter? I’m starting to think that I’m screwed and might as well start planning for next year.
My husband was told registration will be full by the second week in February this year -
Thank you, sounds about right. I think I’ll plan for the half at Hyannis and start looking to qualify for Boston 2010.
I am pretty certain that Shamrock 09 will not get you into Boston 09. I think they cut off qualification races in January as they need time to verify your time.
Good chance that Boston could be full by the time Hyannis rolls around - it used to be that Hyannis was one of the last qualifiers but that might not be the case this year. I’m in the same boat as I’m running Hyannis in hopes of getting a BQ.
I am pretty certain that Shamrock 09 will not get you into Boston 09. I think they cut off qualification races in January as they need time to verify your time.
Bob
Austin 09 will qualify you for Boston 09, and it is in Feb. Boston may be sold out by then though.
Outside of one bridge, I don’t think there is really any noticeable elevation change. The max elevation is 10ft in Va Beach & the race doesn’t go near the “Hill Top” area. I’d love to come home and do this race in a year or two.
Good chance that Boston could be full by the time Hyannis rolls around - it used to be that Hyannis was one of the last qualifiers but that might not be the case this year. I’m in the same boat as I’m running Hyannis in hopes of getting a BQ.
There is a press release on the boston marathon website from 9-Jan saying that they are running 20% ahead of where they were at this time last year. It closed in late Feb last year, so seems >50% chance that it is closed by Hyannis.