2012 National half Marathon no longer need to qualify to run?

[Anonymous]

Last year was the first year since it started that I didn't run the National Half Marathon. I was trying to decide if I would run it again in 2012 when I noticed 2 new things - one it is now a Rock & Roll Half Marathon and there are no longer race time qualifications to run it. I was dissappointed to say the least. The first year I ran it there was only a field of 3,000 runners. You had your own space to run - granted the crowd support was limited but it was a great race. Does anyone know more about these changes?

[Anonymous]

My understanding (through speaking with a friend who works at a local running store) is that the National Half/Full lost money the past 2 years. I think it almost got axed. If you didn't run it last year, you missed a very unorganized race. R&R is a for-profit organization that has been buying up non-profitable races - and the National Half/Full is one of them.

I've run the Half the past few years and have also enjoyed that there is a time qualification. Last year the Half sold out so the field wasn't as small, but pretty much no one ran the full.

In general,the only thing I mind about the R&R races are the incredibly high registration fees. I think it will be a much more crowded race this year, but I doubt anything like Cherry Blossom.

[Anonymous]

I ran the full last year - and it was a terribly disorganized race. I am happy that RnR is taking over and hope to so the improvement. Even with a qualifying time last year, I would say that about half of the half marathon "runners" were socializing and walking the entire race, so I can't imagine that it will make much of a difference with no qualifying time.

[Anonymous]

I think I'm a bit lost. To my knowledge there is no "qualifying time" to run it. There are waves to start, and there's a minimum pace to finish the race. But I was registered 2yrs ago and am a pretty slow runner that didn't need to qualify.

[Anonymous]

Up until 2012 you had to run a qualifying time in another race in order to be able run in the National half or marathon - there were enough to keep the field primary runners with some walkers. My concern now is that without qualifying times the race will turn into a large race with more walkers than runners - they tend to cause congestion on the course. I think it will be better run now but I'm concerned about the field of runners.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:My understanding (through speaking with a friend who works at a local running store) is that the National Half/Full lost money the past 2 years. I think it almost got axed. If you didn't run it last year, you missed a very unorganized race. R&R is a for-profit organization that has been buying up non-profitable races - and the National Half/Full is one of them.

I've run the Half the past few years and have also enjoyed that there is a time qualification. Last year the Half sold out so the field wasn't as small, but pretty much no one ran the full.

In general,the only thing I mind about the R&R races are the incredibly high registration fees. I think it will be a much more crowded race this year, but I doubt anything like Cherry Blossom.

Fairly new runner here. I was going to register for the Cherry Blossom lottery - how slim are the chances of getting a slot? Are we talking White House Easter Egg Roll slim? I'll take whatever I can get although I'd prefer the 10 mile run... but I'll be at the RnR Half a few weeks before so that may just have to do if I don't get a spot.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:My understanding (through speaking with a friend who works at a local running store) is that the National Half/Full lost money the past 2 years. I think it almost got axed. If you didn't run it last year, you missed a very unorganized race. R&R is a for-profit organization that has been buying up non-profitable races - and the National Half/Full is one of them.

I've run the Half the past few years and have also enjoyed that there is a time qualification. Last year the Half sold out so the field wasn't as small, but pretty much no one ran the full.

In general,the only thing I mind about the R&R races are the incredibly high registration fees. I think it will be a much more crowded race this year, but I doubt anything like Cherry Blossom.

Fairly new runner here. I was going to register for the Cherry Blossom lottery - how slim are the chances of getting a slot? Are we talking White House Easter Egg Roll slim? I'll take whatever I can get although I'd prefer the 10 mile run... but I'll be at the RnR Half a few weeks before so that may just have to do if I don't get a spot.

This year is the 100 yr anniversary running. The lottery will be very tough to get into, is my guess!

[Anonymous]

What I've heard about Cherry Blossom is if you can't get in then volunteer. It used to guarantee you a spot for the next year.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:What I've heard about Cherry Blossom is if you can't get in then volunteer. It used to guarantee you a spot for the next year.

Wow, good to know! I had no idea it was that popular.