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Marathons Amid COVID

21,765 Views | 274 Replies | Last: 2 yr ago by YokelRidesAgain
CDub06
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AG
When will we race together again?

I was looking at BCS registration and I see this disclaimer:

Quote:

I understand that if this event cannot take place due to Covid-19, it will become a virtual race and I will still receive all of my swag by mail, and there will be no refunds or deferrals. *

December is a long way off, but when do y'all think it's going to be feasible to begin crowding people back together at a race starting line?
AggieOO
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I'm hopeful we will see fall events. That said I won't be surprised to see events continue to be canceled.

You are in Texas, and as a state, we are quickly taking the "virus, be damned, we are getting back to normal attitude," so my opinion is that you have a higher likelihood of events in texas returning faster than somewhere like california.

i also expect this thread to quickly devolve into a political debate
expresswrittenconsent
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CDub06 said:

When will we race together again?

I was looking at BCS registration and I see this disclaimer:

Quote:

I understand that if this event cannot take place due to Covid-19, it will become a virtual race and I will still receive all of my swag by mail, and there will be no refunds or deferrals. *

December is a long way off, but when do y'all think it's going to be feasible to begin crowding people back together at a race starting line?

What a crappy 'screw you, we got ours' disclaimer.
CDub06
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I'm REALLY anxious to see if Boston happens in September. If it does, then that's a major cue to other races.

They'll do everything they can not to postpone it again. We might end up seeing things like staggered starts, fever checks, etc. All I know is I'm not running any race in a mask.
CDub06
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I mean, I don't think it's like that at all. It's similar to when they had to cancel the Nutrabolt a few years ago due to weather. They spend the money on the swag and logistics, so there's no getting it back. It's not their fault if the
race falls through.

The last thing the organizers want is to pivot to a virtual event. The disclaimer certainly isn't Plan A.
bert harbinson
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Signed up for Dallas Marathon. If canceled, options are a virtual race or a reschedule for a real race in the spring. That was good enough for me.

Here's a positive sign, Carrollton Runners Club will have its Prediction 5K as scheduled this Sunday.
Motot
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I understand the fixed costs playing with regards to the refund, but for the savings of $10 to register now vs weeks out for a race that may not doesn't physically happen is a non-starter. I'd rather pay a premium and race, than risk $80-90 for a virtual race.

Swarely
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Already got an email from Chicago saying I can defer a year. Not sure how it works with my charity entry though. Want to take advantage of it because one of my corps buddies is getting married that weekend.

NYC triatklonh is still on for July 19th. I honestly can't see that happening. In any case, how am I supposed to train for the swim?!
wcb
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expresswrittenconsent said:

What a crappy 'screw you, we got ours' disclaimer.
Not nearly as crappy as knowing it's the truth and not putting it in writing for all to see. Kudos for being 100% transparent up front. Now it's my decision to make, and I fully know the ramifications.
AggieOO
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expresswrittenconsent said:

CDub06 said:

When will we race together again?

I was looking at BCS registration and I see this disclaimer:

Quote:

I understand that if this event cannot take place due to Covid-19, it will become a virtual race and I will still receive all of my swag by mail, and there will be no refunds or deferrals. *

December is a long way off, but when do y'all think it's going to be feasible to begin crowding people back together at a race starting line?

What a crappy 'screw you, we got ours' disclaimer.
i understand the sentiment, but many, many of the sunk costs of a race are spent many times before you even open up registration.

I prefer the approach i've seen with other races where you have the option to defer instead of the virtual race. I have zero desire to do a virtual "race." The even better approach I've seen for runners, which can be more much more difficult for a race director from a financial standpoint, is letting people sign up for the race, but not charge the card until you know you can put on the race.
drivinwest
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To no surprise, Missoula canceled theirs last week and offered partial refunds or deferrals, which I did for next year. I'm still hoping New York happens but my partner has already made up her mind it's not. I do hope BCS is able to run as it's the 10-year anniversary.

I've done a few virtual races here and there to support the trail running companies, but am ready to participate in an actual event again. I averaged a race a month for years and miss them!
MosesHallDeadPot94
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drivinwest said:

To no surprise, Missoula canceled theirs last week and offered partial refunds or deferrals, which I did for next year. I'm still hoping New York happens but my partner has already made up her mind it's not. I do hope BCS is able to run as it's the 10-year anniversary.

I've done a few virtual races here and there to support the trail running companies, but am ready to participate in an actual event again. I averaged a race a month for years and miss them!
Do you live in Missoula (or western Montana)? I lived in Kalispell '94-96. Miss the summers up there...
MosesHallDeadPot94
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Anybody know of the next marathon in Texas that has not been called off? Running with the Devil race scheduled for late June in in Las Vegas has been canceled...
TwoMarksHand
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Swarely said:

Already got an email from Chicago saying I can defer a year. Not sure how it works with my charity entry though. Want to take advantage of it because one of my corps buddies is getting married that weekend.

NYC triatklonh is still on for July 19th. I honestly can't see that happening. In any case, how am I supposed to train for the swim?!
I'm supposed to going to Chicago this year for my wife's run. She hasn't heard anything back from them yet. But she wasn't a charity entry, she was picked in the lottery.
Ragoo
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Next time you are in Houston let me know. You can come OW swim with me.
drivinwest
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I actually live in College Station. We go to Montana in the summers to cool off and enjoy running in Missoula. It's a beautiful part of the country for sure.
AgCanuck07
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2020 was my year for Houston Marathon and Chicago Marathon. I'm glad that I ran Houston in January bc I highly doubt Chicago is going to happen. I deferred my 2019 Chicago entry to this year, so I hope that they will change their policy to allow for a second deferral (when they inevitably cancel).
98Ag99Grad
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I hate to be dumb but how exactly would a virtual race work? Do you jog in place while looking at a monitor? I just can't envision this.
AggieOO
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You basically do a run on your own in your neighborhood or wherever and they mail you a medal and shirt.
Swarely
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Appreciate the offer, but it's been so long since I've been in the water you'd probably end up carrying me back to shore.

I'm actually looking into doing some swimming in the Colorado down by Bastrop.

Btw where do you OWS?
Swarely
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TwoMarksHand said:

Swarely said:

Already got an email from Chicago saying I can defer a year. Not sure how it works with my charity entry though. Want to take advantage of it because one of my corps buddies is getting married that weekend.

NYC triatklonh is still on for July 19th. I honestly can't see that happening. In any case, how am I supposed to train for the swim?!
I'm supposed to going to Chicago this year for my wife's run. She hasn't heard anything back from them yet. But she wasn't a charity entry, she was picked in the lottery.


This was in an email I received on April 21st

" 2020 Entry cancellation process
During these unprecedented times, we understand your plans to run the 2020 Bank of America Chicago Marathon may change. We hope to see you on race day, but if you are unable to participate in the 2020 Chicago Marathon, the opportunity to cancel your 2020 entry will open on Tuesday, May 5. If you cancel your entry, you will guarantee your entry for the 2021 event. To learn more, visit the Entry cancellation page. "
Ragoo
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Swarely said:

Appreciate the offer, but it's been so long since I've been in the water you'd probably end up carrying me back to shore.

I'm actually looking into doing some swimming in the Colorado down by Bastrop.

Btw where do you OWS?
our neighborhood Towne Lake has a 300 acre recreation lake.
bushytailed
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I'm hoping Marine Corps goes on as planned for the last Sunday of October.
Swarely
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That's badass! I'll for sure hit you up one of these times.
wangus12
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This is all my fault really. After a 7 year wait, I finally get into the New York City Marathon and then there is a global pandemic that cancels everything
AggieOO
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wangus12 said:

This is all my fault really. After a 7 year wait, I finally get into the New York City Marathon and then there is a global pandemic that cancels everything
if that's the case, we are in for a world of hurt if i ever get into WS100. with the cancellation of this year and everyone rolling over to 2021, that means the earliest I could possibly get in would be a decade of waiting.
wcb
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Buddy of mine is a huge golf fan. Had two separate invites to the Masters this year. Guaranteed tickets.
expresswrittenconsent
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wcb said:

Buddy of mine is a huge golf fan. Had two separate invites to the Masters this year. Guaranteed tickets.

Thats still happening.
AgPediRPh
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AG
sbtxag13 said:

I understand the fixed costs playing with regards to the refund, but for the savings of $10 to register now vs weeks out for a race that may not doesn't physically happen is a non-starter. I'd rather pay a premium and race, than risk $80-90 for a virtual race.

That's how I plan to approach races for 2020 and maybe 2021. I'll register no earlier than 2 weeks before the race.

Having said that, if BCS Marathon wants to set up a virtual race to benefit the Mercy Project, I would be more than willing to participate.
TRM
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I've already paid for the 2021 Houston marathon and a few local races and I expect them to be run. But what do I know, I thought the half I signed up for at the end of April would be run.
agcivengineer
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Are there limitations as to when swimming is allowed in the lake or any rules? I did a triathlon there a few years back and would like to sneak over and throw in an ows....maybe.
Ragoo
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Have to have someone escort on kayak or similar or have a swim buoy and visible cap. I bought the buoy and cap.
bushytailed
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Marine Corps Marathon sent an email update. Not cancelled (yet?) but is offering to defer for only $30 to '21, '22, or 23 with no additional registration fee. If you defer and '20 is run as planned, you can request to run if there is room. If you don't defer and it gets cancelled, it becomes a virtual race.

They haven't listed a deferent deadline, so I'm going to wait a bit before deciding. I may defer to '21, but request to run if '20 is done as scheduled.
AgCanuck07
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Wow, that seems like a really reasonable policy.
94chem
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98Ag99Grad said:

I hate to be dumb but how exactly would a virtual race work? Do you jog in place while looking at a monitor? I just can't envision this.


A half marathon is 52.75 laps. A full is 105.5. I ran the Irving Half a few weeks ago. It was fun running out there in the dark. I did another one on Mother's Day. Got my swag for Irving.

One minor detail...4 laps is actually 9 yards short of a mile, so if you do it on a track, use the distances I posted above.
 
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