Entry Process Schedule It's 7:01 am on February 19, 2025 All times Eastern | |
---|---|
Application Opens | December 31, 1969 at 7 pm |
Application Closes | December 31, 1969 at 7 pm |
Lottery | December 31, 1969 |
Pay Entry Fee or Join Wait List Opens | December 31, 1969 at 7 pm |
Deadline to Pay Entry Fee or Join Wait List (for initial entrants) | December 31, 1969 at 7 pm |
Entry Reopens to All | December 31, 1969 at 7 pm |
Last day for any refund | December 31, 1969 at 7 pm |
Entry Closed | December 31, 1969 at 7 pm |
We are making two changes to the entry process for the 2014 event - entry will open after the holidays and joining the wait list will be online (no paper checks).
We believe that these changes will make the process more efficient and be easier to manage. No one's chance of getting in the event should change.
What are the changes?
The only change you really need to know about is that entry opens on January 1. The other changes apply to the wait list, and we will tell you about them as you go through the process.
The lottery, the priorities, etc. are all the same. Your chance of winning the lottery does not change. If you lose the lottery, your wait list rank is no different.
The specific changes are below. If you have no experience with our entry system, you would be better served to read the overall explanation of the system. What is below is intended for those who have used our system below. You don't need to know all of this. We will guide you through the process if you apply for entry.
- Entry Opens January 1
- This moves entry out of the December holiday period. It also facilitates the automation of the rest of the process.
- More people can pay and join the entry list initially.
- We know that some lottery winners will not pay and complete the process. We also know that some entrants will withdraw from the event. As we have been doing at Bull Run Run, we will let those who would be on the top of the wait list, pay and join the entry list.
This means that the 208 random lottery winners will be able to pay and enter immediately as will the top 42 on the wait list eligible list. - The wait list movement occurs later
- People join the wait list at the same time. Movement off the wait list is delayed until April.
- You no longer have to pay to join the wait list
- You join the wait list on line without making any payment. You only have to pay before it's your time to move to the entrants list.
- Once on the wait list, you must pay online before you can move to the entrants list
Questions, Worries, Complaints
- Why are you doing this?
- There are a lot of ways this helps those of us managing the entry system. It takes it out of the holiday period, gets rid of paper checks and opening mail, and fully automates the wait list.
From the point of view of the runner, we realize that there are good things and bad things. This change eliminates postage, paper checks, and the uncertainty of holiday, or any, U.S. Mail. It will require a bit more attention by those on the wait list. - Won't I have to wait longer to know if I can run the event?
- Yes, but only one month later. When the New York Stock Exchange closes on January 10, you will know your changes of running just as you did on December 10 last year.
After the New York Stock Exchange closes on January 10, most will have a very good idea whether they can run or not. - If you let more people pay and join the entry list at first, won't I (as a rookie or multiyear finisher) get screwed?
- No. Just as before, after the lottery, we will produce one list of all applicants based on the lottery results. The top 208 people on that list are the lottery winners, picked at random. Then, starting with place 209, the list is ordered by the lottery results and the wait list priortities. This is exactly the same way it was done last year.
Last year, the 208 could pay and join the wait list. Number 209 and above had to join the wait list although the top 15 or 20 went on the the entry list immediately when the time to pay ended.
This year, we will allow the top 42 eligible to join the wait list, number 209 to 250 above, to pay and join the entrants list right away. They were going to get in the race anyway. This just makes it happen faster, and makes it easier for everyone. - Are you putting more people ahead of me on the entrants list?
- No. People will go on the entrants list in the same order as before.
- Is the entry limit now 250?
- No. The entry limit is still 208. We believe that when people pay in February, there will be more than 208 on the entrants list. We will wait for withdrawals to take the list below 208 before anyone is moved to it.
- How will I remember to come back and pay for the wait list in April?
- If your calendar does not work, we will send you an e-mail. Part of the process to join the wait list checks to see that the e-mail you gave us works.
- Do I have to pay to join the wait list?
- No. You can join the wait list quickly and easily online without paying anything. More information about the wait list
- If there is no movement from the wait list until April, will that delay my knowing if I will get in?
- No. You will always know your place in line. Also, there is usually little movement on the wait list before April.
If you are number 2 on the wait list in March and there are two vacancies on the entrants list, you know you will be on the entrants list (assuming you pay), but you will not actually move until April. If there are not two vacancies on the entrants list, you aren't moving now anyway.
To see the historic timing of most withdrawals, see the data on the odds of getting off the wait list page. - Are 2014 MMT applicants guinea pigs for an untested system?
- No. This system has been used and worked at both the Bull Run Run and the Women's Half Marathon. We know it can work and that most runners like it. (Or "like it" better than any alternative.) That said, we will certainly monitor how this works. We are willing to change. Plus, we will listen if you have a comment.
- Sorry, I still have a question.
- Feel free to contact Anstr Davidson at anstr@vhtrc.org. He will be happy to answer your question.