Comments on: Philly Broad Street Run Lottery Sucks

By: admin

admin — Thu, 24 Jan 2013 03:43:59 +0000

Simple solution. Anyone under my time can pay normal fees, everyone over who wants participate +50.

By: Brookes

Brookes — Thu, 24 Jan 2013 02:27:26 +0000

I agree with your thoughts. But – would a race like this be financially sustainable without the costumed runners, trotters, etc? Broad Street was never conceived (at least to my understanding) as an “elite” race – but it is certainly becoming one given the swelling scope and its unique distance (relative to other major races/runs worldwide).

Does transforming Broad Street into yet another heavily capped and scrutinized “elite” course derail its initial purpose – which I understand to be a municipal “celebration” of running. A course just long enough for the layman to enter and be a challenge, just long enough to push experienced runners and just “parade” enough to engage the spectators Philadelphia envies on courses in Boston, NYC and London.

There needs to be corral systems in place to activate more serious runners, but I imagine most marathoners would roll their eyes hearing people defending the sanctity of certain distances while devaluing others. As IronMan participants would scoff at marathoners…etc…
Tight qualifying times for proven runners. Let the rest fall in love with and engage the sport.

By: admin

admin — Thu, 24 Jan 2013 01:59:27 +0000

One more thought on this post that just heats me up more. I just booked 5 miles on a treadmill in the basement of my apartment complex in 29:15 (the treadmill may not be entirely accurate but it’s not far off) at 8pm. No hobby jogger deserves my place in this race. This isn’t a race I sign up for, this is a race I believe in and what matters to me in my life. I don’t work out for the fun of it. I’m the person who should represent races like these because of my dedication towards fitness, my body, and the spirit of competing. The lottery is baloney.

By: Sam

Sam — Wed, 23 Jan 2013 23:56:59 +0000

Agree on all counts. Also agree with the comment above mine. Local 5ks are perfect for hobby joggers (a good term by the way). Broad Street, half marathons, and marathons are for people who want to physically challenge themselves and if you can’t complete one 10 mile run without walking you’re sure as hell not ready to race one.

There’s no problem with having people walk during some races (although if you’re going to ‘race’ you should be prepared to not walk) but the serious runners should not be penalized and not allowed to run because some 2 hour flat dude has gone on 12 runs in the past month and is totally ready to conquer the 10 mile run.

By: tc

tc — Wed, 23 Jan 2013 23:56:53 +0000

My times are always off by multiple seconds because I won’t run over little children who aren’t supposed to be there.

By: Mark

Mark — Wed, 23 Jan 2013 23:46:25 +0000

I hate when I run local 5ks and women, old dudes, and children will insist on standing in front of me at the starting line and then sprint the first 200 m of the race.