General Discussion Triathlon Talk » Chevron Houston Marathon will use lottery system Rss Feed  
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2010-06-07 4:51 PM

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Subject: Chevron Houston Marathon will use lottery system
http://www.chevronhoustonmarathon.com/GeneralInfo/FAQ.cfm#Registration

What do you guys think about this? I think it is a good thing, considering how fast it sold out last year.


2010-06-07 4:59 PM
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Subject: RE: Chevron Houston Marathon will use lottery system
I think it is a load of BS.  That's like saying all the IM's should be a lottery system as well (wait, I am not comparing a marathon to an IM for the record). 

I have always used the Houston half as a training run over the winter and last year I made sure I was able to log in while on vacation at the beach to sign up.  If someone is not able to log in and sign up too freakin' bad, give it to someone who can, revenue is the same either way for the race...  It also penalizes all of those hard core Houston marathoners who may be trying to keep an annual streak going.

2010-06-07 5:44 PM
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Subject: RE: Chevron Houston Marathon will use lottery system
Agreed. It's complete BS. It rewards lazy procrastinators! What about if you train with a buddy now one will get in and one ay not. What is that crap? Email [email protected] if you do not like this. They can still Change it back!
2010-06-07 6:46 PM
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Subject: RE: Chevron Houston Marathon will use lottery system

Perhaps they should limit the race to runners only. Just my opinion.

2010-06-07 6:49 PM
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Subject: RE: Chevron Houston Marathon will use lottery system
I'm not sure how I feel.. I made sure I wasn't traveling the day it opens this year since I really wanted to run it, and now I have to prepare that I might not get in and have a back up race.

But on the other side it took 60hr? to fill last year so that's nearly three days right, or at least over two days.  It's too bad that they can't split it somehow,, so 70% of the slots are first come first in and the rest a lotto system, or at least if you run a certain time you get in automatically or steal from NYC and have a local running series where if you do so many of the local runs you get in.

 I just say that as a Dallas area person that had a good streak going for our local marathon.
2010-06-07 9:03 PM
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Subject: RE: Chevron Houston Marathon will use lottery system
jls42 - 2010-06-07 4:59 PM

I think it is a load of BS. 


Same here. I got up at midnight and kept refreshing for hours because I wanted in. I'd do it that way again in a heartbeat. If you wait, you don't get in because others wanted it more then you did. Isn't that what it's been like for big concerts for years? And seriously, it's Houston. It's not NY, it's not Boston, it's not Kona. I only do it because it's in my backyard, not because it's some spectacular place to run or has some incredibly rich running/race history, etc.


2010-06-08 7:49 AM
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Subject: RE: Chevron Houston Marathon will use lottery system
erin116 - 2010-06-07 9:03 PM

And seriously, it's Houston. It's not NY, it's not Boston, it's not Kona.


True, however it will be hosting both the men's and women's Olympic Marathon trials in 2012. This has never happened before (which pissed off Boston and NYC beyond words). Throw in the race has been well run (thanks to a great organizing committee and an absolutely amazing running community in Houston) for years. And just for fun, six men ran under 2:10 this year. Add it all up and you do in fact have a great race.

We're lucky to have such a great race in our backyard.

If people do not like what the committee is doing, they will do something about it (USAFit held its own marathon when Houston reduced its time limits last year).


Also, did anyone catch the price increases?
2010-06-08 8:26 AM
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Subject: RE: Chevron Houston Marathon will use lottery system
TriDex - 2010-06-08 7:49 AM

erin116 - 2010-06-07 9:03 PM

And seriously, it's Houston. It's not NY, it's not Boston, it's not Kona.


True, however it will be hosting both the men's and women's Olympic Marathon trials in 2012. This has never happened before (which pissed off Boston and NYC beyond words). Throw in the race has been well run (thanks to a great organizing committee and an absolutely amazing running community in Houston) for years. And just for fun, six men ran under 2:10 this year. Add it all up and you do in fact have a great race.

We're lucky to have such a great race in our backyard.

If people do not like what the committee is doing, they will do something about it (USAFit held its own marathon when Houston reduced its time limits last year).


Also, did anyone catch the price increases?


They have successfully ticked off that amazing running community you speak of with this announcement of the lottery. I don’t think anyone is particularly pissed off at them for going to a lottery system; it’s how they are doing it. They don’t consult with HARRA or any club, which is where they get a bulk of their volunteers and are the backbone of the Houston running community. They need to look at NYC and take a page out of their book on how to do a lottery system correctly. Luckily they aren’t turning a deaf ear towards us and a few members of the Houston Marathon Committee will be coming to the next HARRA meeting to discuss the lottery. IF anything comes from that, who knows. Hopefully local clubs and people who participate/help in local events get a chance to get into the race by other means. Be it by participating in the Fall Series, or selecting local qualifying races…
2010-06-08 8:43 AM
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Subject: RE: Chevron Houston Marathon will use lottery system
TriDex - 2010-06-08 7:49 AM
erin116 - 2010-06-07 9:03 PM And seriously, it's Houston. It's not NY, it's not Boston, it's not Kona.
True, however it will be hosting both the men's and women's Olympic Marathon trials in 2012. This has never happened before (which pissed off Boston and NYC beyond words). Throw in the race has been well run (thanks to a great organizing committee and an absolutely amazing running community in Houston) for years. And just for fun, six men ran under 2:10 this year. Add it all up and you do in fact have a great race. We're lucky to have such a great race in our backyard. If people do not like what the committee is doing, they will do something about it (USAFit held its own marathon when Houston reduced its time limits last year). Also, did anyone catch the price increases?


I was a little disappointed to receive this notification from the marathon, but it's not the end of the world.  Albeit it's not NY, Boston or MCM, but Houston is the #1 winter marathon in the country.  It is truly one of the best crowd supported races in Texas (if not the country). 

In 2004, the entry fee was $65... and you could have registered the Saturday of the expo (if you wanted to fork over $100).  Now it sells out in 60hrs... and its $115! I'll pay it (won't really like it), and I truly hope to get in (and have faith that all of us that truly want to race it, will get our spots!)...

I do kinda agree with Renee about the runner's... (not trying to be mean) but there are a lot of 'hey that sounds cool' 13.1 & 26.2'ers out there that take spots from competitive runners for this event.  There are many other smaller events that cover the same distance that would satisfy the bandwagon runners out there.

Or atleast give preferential treatment to those of us who have ran the event and proven that we will run it well again.  It's like the corral seeding.... there have been WAY too many 4hr+ runners in the sub 4hr corral... makes it tough to get going.  If you don't have an official posted event time (whether that is 26.2, 30K or even a 25K) to support your claim... shouldn't be in the front corral. 

Stepping off soap box now...
2010-06-08 8:52 AM
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Subject: RE: Chevron Houston Marathon will use lottery system
One of the things I don't understand is that they will allow groups to enter but only up to 10 people in a group.  The running club I am with has easily over 10 people that do Houston each year, so maybe they could up the group size?
2010-06-08 12:31 PM
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Subject: RE: Chevron Houston Marathon will use lottery system
smilford - 2010-06-08 8:26 AM


I don’t think anyone is particularly pissed off at them for going to a lottery system; it’s how they are doing it. They don’t consult with HARRA or any club, which is where they get a bulk of their volunteers and are the backbone of the Houston running community.


Completely agree. And as you said, luckily, or at least it appears that, the marathon committee is listening to HARRA and our community (via emails and now in meeting with HARRA). Hopefully they listen to what HARRA is saying.


2010-06-08 5:09 PM
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Subject: RE: Chevron Houston Marathon will use lottery system
Personally, I gave up on Houston years ago.

Over the years, it's become like an overpriced tourist restaraunt where you pay to park, wait for a couple of hours in line and get mediocre service and average food for 250.00.

Someone please help me. What's the attraction? (and I'm writing from 25 miles south of the start line.) Unless I consider my scorching 3:35 pr would put me in the top 700 of a "world class event." Woo-hoo!

Lottery or buffalo stampede. Either way, I'm finding another venue.

2010-06-08 11:09 PM
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Subject: RE: Chevron Houston Marathon will use lottery system

I dont like it. I did it last year and got up 7am the morning it opened to sign up. If someone really wanted to run it they would do they same. my .02

rao11010

2010-06-09 10:58 AM
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Subject: RE: Chevron Houston Marathon will use lottery system
God forbid that people actually wake up and register!  They are using a 60 hour sellout as an excuse?!?!  I know races that sell out in 6 hours!  It's rediculous...but that's the way of the marathon lately...trying to see how many couch ptoatos they can get to the start line.   I wouldn't be surprized if they have McDonalds at the aid stations.

Edited by bmcgee 2010-06-09 11:00 AM
2010-06-09 5:34 PM
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Subject: RE: Chevron Houston Marathon will use lottery system
They claim 11,000 for full and 11,000 for half. That's BS! The half fills up, so folks sign up for the full knowing full well they will not run the full, because they are given the option to change races later on. That leaves the folks that want to run the full out of luck.
2010-06-09 7:52 PM
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Subject: RE: Chevron Houston Marathon will use lottery system

Austin is sounding better



2010-06-09 8:59 PM
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Subject: RE: Chevron Houston Marathon will use lottery system
I haven't had luck getting into NYC the last 2yrs so I'm assuming I won't get into Houston either.  I'm still going to register & hope for the best but my concern is that by the time they post who got in, another winter marathon will be sold out.  I don't think they'll tell you till like mid-Aug st which means, I might risk not getting into White Rock that's in December.  I've done Austin the last 2yrs so I wanted the opportunity for a flat fast marathon this winter in Houston.  Guess we'll see!
2010-06-09 9:37 PM
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Subject: RE: Chevron Houston Marathon will use lottery system
Sarahwantstotri - 2010-06-09 8:59 PM I haven't had luck getting into NYC the last 2yrs so I'm assuming I won't get into Houston either.  I'm still going to register & hope for the best but my concern is that by the time they post who got in, another winter marathon will be sold out.  I don't think they'll tell you till like mid-Aug st which means, I might risk not getting into White Rock that's in December.  I've done Austin the last 2yrs so I wanted the opportunity for a flat fast marathon this winter in Houston.  Guess we'll see!

 

the white rock 1/2 sells out,, the full doesn't you can literally sign up at the expo in dec. so I'm sure you will be ok.

unless you are doing the half.. then yea,, you most likely are screwed..

2010-06-09 10:16 PM
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Subject: RE: Chevron Houston Marathon will use lottery system

There is always the Miracle Match Marathon in Waco on January 30th. It doesn't sound like it is as flat as Houston.

2010-06-10 6:35 AM
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Subject: RE: Chevron Houston Marathon will use lottery system
Sarahwantstotri - 2010-06-09 8:59 PM I haven't had luck getting into NYC the last 2yrs so I'm assuming I won't get into Houston either.  I'm still going to register & hope for the best but my concern is that by the time they post who got in, another winter marathon will be sold out.  I don't think they'll tell you till like mid-Aug st which means, I might risk not getting into White Rock that's in December.  I've done Austin the last 2yrs so I wanted the opportunity for a flat fast marathon this winter in Houston.  Guess we'll see!


well then you either get into nyc this year or next for sure.  congrats!

kingwood.  




2010-06-10 7:04 AM
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Subject: RE: Chevron Houston Marathon will use lottery system

The lottery is total crap. If you don't get in, then you don't get in. That's how it is with nearly every other endurance type event. Lets be real, Ironman races sell out in MINUTES and there's no lottery.. unless it's for Kona. I love racing Houston because it's in my backyard. I was so amped to run last year because I knew that from there on out I would make it my annual marathon and get my "veteran" status in a few years. But now that's being toyed with. I will still get up and early and sign up. Maybe that will help my chances. Anyway we can boycott this lottery business and get it to go back to the normal way?



2010-06-10 9:19 AM
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Subject: RE: Chevron Houston Marathon will use lottery system
Agree it sucks.  They need to support our local running community.  I also believe that if you really want in you will find the time to register when it opens.
2010-06-10 3:26 PM
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Subject: RE: Chevron Houston Marathon will use lottery system
chronicle article here
2010-06-10 3:50 PM
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Subject: RE: Chevron Houston Marathon will use lottery system
CRAP that is all I can say CRAP. With out trying to sound too crude. I could understand if they held 10-20% open for the lotto. I have ran the Houston 3 years in a row; my good friend 10 yrs in a row. We deliberatly stay up the night of reg and log on at 12:01. Took me 1 hour last year but I did it. Are they going to lotto the ranking or require the top 100 to be in the lotto pool too? A small percentage would be fair but not the whole lot.
2010-06-11 10:26 PM
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Subject: RE: Chevron Houston Marathon will use lottery system

Personally, I think the lotto is a load of crap!  I've participated in either the Houston 1/2 or full 7 times since since 2002.  Until around 2007, you could easily register in either race at the Expo the day before.  So now that the race has gained popularity and sells out, even with the increased # of participants, we need a lottery?  I was planning to run the 1/2 in 2011, but I'm sorry, but a $95 and a lotto...pul-lease!

I love Houston, because it's a well-run race.  You get to hang out in the comfort of the GRB before and after the race, the course is nice and flat, the volunteers are friendly, crowds are great (in some places), the medals are nice, the t-shirt and tech shirts are usually great and you get a decent hot breakfast after (complete with Girl Scout cookies!)...it is a great race.  I've run NYC, Chicago and Austin and didn't get half the ammenities that come with this race (of course NYC and Chicago are in a completely different league). Yes, I think it's awesome that Houston is hosting the Olympic Trials in 2012.  In fact, I even went to the celebration after the big announcement where Steve Karpas told the crowd how important they (Houston's running community) all were to the marathon and to bringing the trials to Houston.  But to thank us with a hefty increase in the entry and a lotto?  Kind of a big F-you to the Houston running community!



Edited by aggiegrad96 2010-06-11 10:27 PM
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