Entry
Application for Entry Is Open
Closes February 8 at 9 p.m.

Entry Update: We have developed a way to see how you will rank on the wait list. Applicants by Wait List Priority

The entry process is now open. If you are new to our entry system, please review the information on this page. After you have done that, you can apply for entry.

Entry is limited to 340. You must be at least 18 years old when you enter to run.

We will use the same system for entry as we have used for the last four years. Entry is a two-step process. You fill out the application on one occasion, then you come back later to pay. If too many people apply, we will have a lottery to see who may pay to enter the race and who will have to apply for the wait list. (We did not need the lottery for 2009, but we did need it in 2010 and 2011.) Prior entry data

Our system allows you to enter calmly without rushing to the post office or hitting the refresh button constantly. Our system does, however, require that you come to our Web site twice. Coming back a second time is your contribution to a fair, orderly system.

The entry schedule is at right. The initial entry period starts on February 1 and ends on February 8. If you want to enter, you must register during that period. Although we don't suggest leaving it until the last minute, there is no benefit for registering early within that period.

Entry is online. The registration fee has not been set yet. (It was $85 last year. We have not raised the entry fee for three years.) The cost of processing your credit card payment is included in the entry fee.

Entry is not transferable. You may not sell or give your bib number to another runner. If you transfer your number, you and your replacement will be barred from participating in future Bull Run Runs. The "bandit" runner will be disqualified.

You may receive a refund of your entry fee if you withdraw by April 6. We hold back $15 from any refund. Please see the important conditions on refunds.

Scholarships

Again this year, we continue the VHTRC tradition of offering free entry scholarships to deserving runners. These scholarships are based on need, not speed. There will be four scholarships this year. The VHTRC will pay the base entry fee for scholarship recipients. Scholarship recipients must pay for any meals or lodging. Scholarship recipients receive no special treatment in the entry process other than the reduced entry fee. We do not disclose the names of scholarship recipients, and they are treated like all other entrants. To apply for a scholarship, contact the RD before January 27. (Just let the RD know you are interested in applying. He will send you more information about how to apply.)

Important Note: Before you enter the Bull Run Run, you should know that: (1) parking is difficult and will require a ¼ mile to a ½ mile walk; (2) the first two aid stations aren't brunch buffets; and (3) we don't want you wearing personal listening devices on the first 16 miles of the course (and discourage them on all of the course). VHTRC Policy on use of personal listening devices

Wait List Priorities: If we need to use a lottery, the initial field will be selected randomly. Each applicant has an equal chance of being in the initial starting field. We will, however, have priorities on the wait list. Given our experience with movement off the wait list, we expect that these priorities will be of significant value. In 2008, 2009, and 2010 everyone who participated in the initial entry process and stayed on the wait list was able eventually to enter the event. In 2011, however, the wait list was long, and some did not get off the wait list.

Given that there were people left on the wait list in 2011, we have added a "two-time loser" provision to the wait list priorities.

Here are the priorities. (Within groups, ranking is by the random number that is assigned in the entry process. In the priority groups based on number of finishes, the sorting is first by finishes and then by random number. For example, all the people with three prior finishes will have a better priority than those with two.)

1. Applicants who, on three prior occasions, served as pre-committed volunteers at either BRR or MMT on the day of the respective event, or who have ever served as the BRR RD.
2. Prior overall winners of the men's or women's division of the BRR
3. Finishers of five or more BRRs, ranked by number of finishes (19 down to 5)
4. "Two-time losers" Conditions (List of those potentially eligible)
5. All other applicants ordered by number of finishes (4 down to none)

On February 23, we will reopen the wait list for persons who did not apply in the initial lottery or who did, but did not complete the process in a timely manner. All people joining the list at that time will do so at the bottom.

There is a full explanation of the 2012 entry procedure if you are interested. It is very detailed. You are welcome to read it, but you don't have to.

Refunds: We will issue entry fee refunds to those who withdraw from the event subject to these conditions:

1. The request to withdraw from the event must occur on or before April 6;
2. There is someone on the wait list to fill the vacancy created by the withdrawal. If there is no one on the wait list at the time of withdrawal, but someone joins the wait list later, we will issue refunds in the order requested (this condition does not pertain to withdrawals requested on or before March 14); and
3. We will withhold $15 from all refunds.

Historical Data

Here are data from 2010 and 2011. We don't guarantee that history will repeat itself.

In 2011, the maximum size of the field was 350 runners. Since some do not pay the entry fee even if they have "won" the lottery, we allowed 400 to pay and enter. The first 350 were chosen by the lottery, the next 50 were from the top of those with wait list priority. We guessed pretty well since 348 paid. We plan to do similar for the 2012 event.

 

BRR Entrant Data
Year	2010	2011
Application Period
Applied for Lottery	502	610
Lottery Results
Eligible to Enter	398	400
Eligible for Wait List with Priority	104	210
At Deadline to Pay
Paid to Join Entrants List	355	348
Joined Wait List	69	123
Didn't Act	78	139
Race Day
Entrants List	353	358
Wait List	0	28

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