I chose Bay State because it has the highest % of BQs based on 2007 finish times and because it’s small. While the course is described as “flat, fast and scenic” it is also the New England USATF championship race for the marathon distance - - which might also be contributing to the high % of BQs.
Rocket City on the other hand is described as “not flat but nothing steep” - - I noticed the male winner last year went 10 minutes faster at Chicago…maybe he was only doing what he needed to do to win…maybe the course is so much tougher than pancake flat chicago that the best guy there was 10 minutes off of a previous time.
Rocket City also made the list of top % of BQ times - - I think it was in the top 25 with like 22%. Bay State was like 38%.
I was hoping someone out there with some familiarity with both courses could comment on how difficult Rocket City is? I did something crazy to my left leg during a tempo run the other night and my MRI is scheduled for Monday. Based on the continued pain one week later, I’m thinking BayState is out for me, which is a shame because all else equal my training was going REALLY well and I was becoming more and more confident that I could BQ with 5 minutes to spare…
Rocket City is Dec 12 (vs. Bay State which is Oct 18), and Rocket City is still open…I don’t really want to go out and try for it if the course is too challenging given how tight it will for me to BQ…I’ve done marathons before and I’m really not interested in toeing the start line if I can’t reasonably anticipate going for a BQ this time - - just doesn’t seem worth the airfare and hotel stay to me. I’m also looking for a new goal so this injury doesn’t get me too depressed…
I live in HSV. The mary course is pretty much flat outside of some mild grades. It has lots of turns as it goes through neighborhoods and greenways. I’ve never done the race, but cyclist use the route as a cut across. I’ve planned on doing it this year. Definitely doing the Half in November.
David K
We have large group from Atlanta who are going to do Rocket City. One of our guys went 3:02 there last year and said it was pancake flat and perfect conditions. Since that time I’ve heard from others who have done the race who say that it isn’t pancake, like FLA flat or Chicago marathon flat, but that the two or three hills are nothing to worry about.
That said, one of our guys is going to Bay State and his decision was very similar to yours. He, however, will run Bay State, and if no BQ time, will then do Rocket City.
One of our guys ran most of Rocket City course over the summer and said small hill at mile 6, and on the return back to finish line, but nothing to stress over.
I think Rocket City is still good option for December race. I’ve done Jacksonville before and it was very hot down there, and Memphis has some hills to contend with. Of those races in December, I think Rocket City is very good option.
Thanks for the “Map My Ride” links…the two marathons look pretty comparable - - so maybe the high % of qualifiers has more to do with who shows up to start with (seeing that Baystate is a regional championship race). I may try to do them both if my MRI doesn’t show anything too bad…but If I’m able to make a speedy recovery I’m now pretty sure Rocket City would be a great option.
I guess now I should concern myself with the possibility that Rocket City is a touch longer than necessary - - 26.7 miles per whomever mapped that course. I already knew Baystate was 26.3 - - since I’m not the greatest at picking the fastest line in a road race I wasn’t too worried about 1/10 of a mile over…but 1/2 of a mile could make qualifying for Boston a little tight for me.
Rocket City does look like a really great option though - - thanks to everyone who responded!