Is Boston qualifying too tough?

FinishTime Newsletter

NEWSLETTER:  October 2024

Is Boston qualifying time too tough?

So you thought you were good qualifying for Comrades or Two Oceans with a 3-hour, 45-minute marathon time. Well, just to shatter your illusions of grandeur, not only would you not qualify for the 2025 Boston Marathon if you were a male under 35, but you would be 45 minutes off the pace. Yes, you read that right, you need to run a sub-3 marathon time just to qualify for the Boston Marathon – a woman under 35 would need to run sub-3:30.

And even running these times does not guarantee you an entry.

The Boston Marathon qualifying times are incredibly difficult for your average runner to achieve. This should have had a negative impact on the race, but interestingly it has had just the opposite effect.

The Boston Marathon started in 1897 and as such is the world’s oldest annual marathon, and was always a big one – but in the 19th century a big marathon meant 60 or 70 runners. In the 1960s, entries really started growing and for the first time in 1969, the Boston Marathon reached over 1000 competitors.

According to runnersworld.com, the race couldn’t cope. The narrow route was cluttered and “frustrated runners lost precious race time shuffling to the start after the gun and lost more time waiting in long weary lines to be recorded at the finish.”

So, in 1971 the first Boston qualifying time of 3:30 was introduced with no allowance made for age. When women were first officially allowed in 1972, they also needed a sub-3:30 time, same as the men!

However qualifying times didn’t solve the problem because running was booming and Boston’s numbers, like most other races at the time, kept increasing. The new qualifying times did not act as a deterrent but instead actually boosted the race’s appeal.

“Rather than limiting the field … each time the Boston Athletics Association (BAA) lowered its time standard, it challenged more and more runners to meet those standards,” wrote Hal Higdon in Boston: A Century of Running. Adding to Boston’s traditional and historic charm, the race now also became exclusive and irresistible. The race’s restrictive qualifying times became an inspiration for wannabes to train harder.

Currently, even though you may achieve the qualifying criteria, it does not mean you automatically get an entry. For 2024, 36 393 runners qualified for the Boston Marathon, but the race’s limit was 30 000 so they took the top 30 000 qualifiers – heartbreaking for those athletes who ran sub 3 but missed the cut.

But there is another way for “plodders” to snag an entry. By raising funds for the official race charities, entrants can effectively “buy” themselves an entry. This has caused controversy amongst race qualifiers, especially those who are close to the qualifying cut off. But they have never won the argument. The athletes that run for charity earn their place in a different way by raising thousands of dollars with a strong emphasis on contributing to Boston-area causes. In 2024, those athletes raised 17.9 million dollars for charity.

So before you complain about having to run a sub 5 hour marathon for Comrades or Two Ocean’s qualifications, just be glad that it is an achievable time for the vast majority of athletes and you don’t need to be in the top 5% of runners to take part in these world class events.


An app to track all entrants

FinishTime administers the SportsSplits Tracker app in South Africa and it is used by events such as Comrades, Two Oceans and Dusi to offer their entrants and spectators an affordable and world-class tracking app.

Easily downloadable to your smart phone via the Apple and Google Play stores, the SportsSplits app has tracking of athletes for spectators and participants through predictive and live timing data. You can also receive live push notifications of your tracked athletes or the leaders as they pass milestones and timing points along the course, allowing you to quickly follow their progress.

Tracked athletes can either be viewed through an interactive 2D map, or the course can be brought to life with 3D mapping. The map can feature iconic landmarks on the course and promote points of interest such as aid stations, water points, key milestones and toilets.

The app is also a vehicle for event organisers to communicate with the athletes and spectators before and during the event – particularly helpful to broadcast changes in start times or traffic problems. Event messages can be sent as broadcasts that appear under messages in the app or can be delivered as push notifications. Messages can push important or urgent event information, include links or promote expo vendors.

Leaderboards can easily be setup and displayed on the app by any combination of gender, category, country, team or any other combination of an available dataset.

Finisher badges can be generated from the app once a participant completes the event. These show the athlete’s performance, including split times, and can be shared on social media or downloaded as an image.

The app can also be branded by the event and advertising spots give event organisers the ability to feature and promote their event partners and sponsors. The powerful analytics ensure optimal participant engagement to ensure future planning and sponsor reporting is met.

The SportSplits Tracker app is administered in South Africa by FinishTime, and supports hundreds of thousands of competitors for multiple sporting events worldwide.

The FinishTime sporting calendars below come with a warning to check with the event organisers to ensure events have not been postponed or cancelled.

More event information, a regularly updated events calendar and results of all events timed by FinishTime can be found at www.finishtime.co.za and all results of events timed by FinishTime at results.finishtime.co.za

COLIN MAYER TOUR: October 11-13, 2024

This year the event spans over three days, in a two-rider team format that will take you through Mauritius’ most scenic coastal tracks to dense woodlands, breathtaking slopes, beach crossings and traditional salt pans, as well as new areas to explore within private game farms.

SPAR WOMEN'S CHALLENGE – JOZI: October 6, 2024

The Johannesburg leg of the SPAR Women’s Challenge series is an annual race offering women of all shapes, sizes and fitness levels the opportunity to take part in a 5km or 10km race. The Jozi SPAR Women’s Challenge is constantly growing with thousands of new participants joining in every year

OUTSURANCE GUN RUN: September 14-15, 2024

The OUTsurance Gun Run is back to celebrate it's 30th Anniversary on the 14th and 15th of September, starting and finishing in Mouille Point, Cape Town. 

EVENTS CALENDAR
DATE EVENT PROVINCE
30-06 Oct THE OTTER TRAIL E Cape
05 Oct CHAMBERLAIN CAPITAL CLASSIC Gauteng
05 Oct ATKV EILAND MTB N West
05 Oct DIRTY DC W Cape
05 Oct MINET INDEPENDENCE MARATHON Lesotho
05 Oct MOKA TRAIL Mauritius
05 Oct MYKONOS HALF MARATHON W Cape
05 Oct ROOIWAL CYCLE #6 Gauteng
06-08 Oct IRFA CONFERENCE W Cape
06 Oct THE CEDER RACE W Cape
06 Oct CORPORATE CENTURION CHALLENGE W Cape
06 Oct CAPE TOWN TRIATHLON W Cape
06 Oct IMBUBE MARATHON eSwatini
06 Oct MEYERTON MADMAC RUN Gauteng
06 Oct PARK SQUARE RUN KZN
06 Oct THE BIG WALK – PRETORIA Gauteng
06 Oct THE BIG WALK CAPE TOWN W Cape
06 Oct TSSL #4 OAK VALLEY W Cape
06 Oct 36ONE SWIM SERIES W Cape
10-13 Oct COLIN MAYER TOUR Mauritius
12-13 Oct GLENCAIRN TRAILRUN KZN
12-13 Oct PRETORIA MTB SCHOOL EVENT Gauteng
12 Oct MASELELO RACE W Cape
12 Oct HARRISMITH BERGWEDLOOP F State
12 Oct OCEAN MAN GLOBAL OPEN WATER SWIM KZN
12 Oct TRI THE KAROO W Cape
12 Oct DURBIE DASH W Cape
13 Oct TOMMY MALONE Gauteng
13 Oct BOKSBURG 15KM Gauteng
13 Oct MEALS ON WHEELS CYCLE Gauteng
13 Oct X-TERRA SA Gauteng
13 Oct PPA FUNRIDE W Cape
18 Oct KPMG NIGHT TRAIL Mauritius
19 Oct CSIR 10KM & 21KM Gauteng
19 Oct DRYLAND GRAVEL RACE W Cape
19 Oct CSIR 10/21KM Gauteng
19 Oct SINTHUMULE VILLAGE MALL Limpopo
19 Oct WSU CONVOCATION 21.1KM E Cape
20 Oct AMASHOVA KZN
20 Oct AQUELLÉ OCEAN RACING SERIES E Cape
20 Oct RMB FAMILY GRIT Gauteng
20 Oct 6 AND 12HRS OF KILLARNEY W Cape
23 Oct JAN L JORDAAN BNAC NIGHT RACE Gauteng
24 Oct 24 HR MTB EVENT IN PRETORIA Gauteng
26 Oct IRENE FARM Gauteng
26 Oct THE MOUNTAIN MARATHON 21 Lesotho
26 Oct ACTOM RUN Gauteng
26 Oct ASA 5KM CHAMPIONSHIPS F State
26 Oct BROODBLIK MTB #4 Gauteng
26 Oct CRADLE MOUNTAIN TROPHY Gauteng
26 Oct SA RUN4CANCER ULTRA MARATHON 2024 Limpopo
27 Oct SANCA CITI MARATHON KZN
27 Oct CAPITAL CLASSIC CYCLE Gauteng
27 Oct LIMIETBERG MOUNTAIN CHALLENGE W Cape
27 Oct THE PEANUT BUTTER GO! SWIM SERIES – ROUND 1 E Cape
01-10 Nov WINES TO WHALES W Cape
02-03 Nov PETE MARLIN SURF SKI RACE E Cape
02 Nov ALZU MTB Gauteng
02 Nov GT 100MILER EVENT 3 Gauteng
02 Nov KAAPSEHOOP MARATHON Limpopo
02 Nov ROOIWAL CYCLE #7 Gauteng
03 Nov PRIME VIEW 1 Gauteng
03 Nov SMG UMHLANGA 10KM KZN
03 Nov THE 36ONE CLIFTON MILE SWIM W Cape
03 Nov TINMAN #4 KZN
03 Nov TRAIL DE RODRIGUES Rodriques
09 Nov AQUELLE JACARANDA CITY CHALLENGE Gauteng
09 Nov MARLOTH MOUNTAIN CHALLENGE W Cape
09 Nov SANI STAGGER KZN
10 Nov AQUELLÉ OCEAN RACING SERIES E Cape
10 Nov SAVE ORION RACE KZN
10 Nov THE 36ONE OFF-THE-BEATEN-TRACK SWIM W Cape
16 Nov TOM JENKINS CHALLENGE Gauteng
16 Nov HOLLYWOODBETS JOBURG 10K Gauteng
16 Nov MOKA DECATHLON NIGHT RUN Mauritius
18 Nov IRONMAN MOSSEL BAY W Cape
RECENT RACE RESULTS
DATE EVENT RESULTS
01 Sep IQEMBU TEAM RACE RESULTS HERE
01 Sep KILIMANJARO TRAIL RUN RESULTS HERE
01 Sep KZN SCHOOLS MTB SERIES 2024 – WATERFALL COLLEGE RESULTS HERE
01 Sep THE MEREWENT RUN/WALK RESULTS HERE
01 Sep THE 36ONE CLIFTON MILE SWIM RESULTS HERE
01 Sep STD BANK FERNEY MTB RESULTS HERE
07 Sep BROOKLYN ROAD RACE RESULTS HERE
07 Sep HUSAB MARATHON RESULTS HERE
07 Sep MINES RESCUE SERVICES RESULTS HERE
07 Sep MUSINA MARATHON RESULTS HERE
07 Sep SIGNIFICANCE RUN RESULTS HERE
07 Sep TITANIC CHALLENGE TRAIL RUN RESULTS HERE
07 Sep TRAILSEEKER MTB #6 RESULTS HERE
07 Sep COAST TO CRAFT RESULTS HERE
07 Sep NW SCHOOLS MTB CUP SERIES FINAL RESULTS HERE
08 Sep THE BATTLE 2024 RESULTS HERE
08 Sep TINMAN #3 RESULTS HERE
08 Sep TOYOTA EKIDEN FINAL RESULTS HERE
08 Sep WW X-TRI PRIME VIEW RESULTS HERE
08 Sep ALTAVIDE XC RESULTS HERE
14-15 Sep OUTSURANCE GUN RUN RESULTS HERE
14 Sep FERNEY TRAIL RESULTS HERE
14 Sep KZNDBS EYE CAN WALK RESULTS HERE
14 Sep MICHAELIS CHALLENGE RESULTS HERE
14 Sep MPUMALANGA MARATHON RESULTS HERE
14 Sep MTN KHEMANI RESULTS HERE
14 Sep MULLER POTGIETER RESULTS HERE
14 Sep MINI KEI TREK RESULTS HERE
15 Sep MAURITIUS 100 KM CYCLE TOUR RESULTS HERE
15 Sep MACAMA DIAMOND CLASSIC RESULTS HERE
15 Sep PEOPLE'S TRIATHLON RESULTS HERE
15 Sep SPRING FAST ONE MTB RESULTS HERE
18-22 Sep WILDCOAST WILDRUN RESULTS HERE
19 Sep MELROSE MILE RESULTS HERE
20 Sep RED CROSS CHARITY RUN RESULTS HERE
21-22 Sep THE LOMOND MTB & TRAIL RUN RESULTS HERE
21 Sep HILTON CHARITY TRAIL RESULTS HERE
21 Sep MAKHUDUTHAMAGA MAYORAL MARATHON RESULTS HERE
21 Sep SPAR WOMENS 10/5KM CHALLENGE – GQEBERHA RESULTS HERE
21 Sep ZUKA PRIVATE GAME RESERVES RESULTS HERE
21 Sep AVENIR VISION DIRT DASH RESULTS HERE
22 Sep KAROO 2 COAST RESULTS HERE
22 Sep SOUTH COAST MARATHON RESULTS HERE
22 Sep OCEANMAN RESULTS HERE
22 Sep SAPPI SCOTTBURGH MTB & TRAIL RESULTS HERE
24 Sep NTENGA FOUNDATION CHARITY RACE RESULTS HERE
24 Sep SPIRIT OF FLIGHT RESULTS HERE
28 Sep FORD SPRING RACE RESULTS HERE
28 Sep BREELAND TRIATHLON RESULTS HERE
28 Sep FETAKGOMO TOBATSE MARATHON RESULTS HERE
28 Sep LITE2NIGHT RUN RESULTS HERE
28 Sep MANGUZI GIJIMA RESULTS HERE
28 Sep SIP SURGAR TRAIL RUN RESULTS HERE
28 Sep THAVHANI MALL 3 IN 1 RESULTS HERE
29 Sep EDA OPEN WATER 1 RESULTS HERE
29 Sep BARBERTON MAKHONJWA MOUNTAIN 4 IN 1 MARATHON RESULTS HERE
29 Sep CRYSTAL TRAIL RUN RESULTS HERE
29 Sep GIANT MTB RESULTS HERE
29 Sep HERITAGE DAY RACE RESULTS HERE
29 Sep HOLLYWOODBETS DBN 10K RESULTS HERE
29 Sep JOZI TRIATHLON RESULTS HERE
29 Sep SOUTH COAST CYCLE TOUR RESULTS HERE
30-06 Oct THE OTTER TRAIL RESULTS HERE

FinishTime – FinishTime provides the latest in cutting edge sports timing technology.
Support@FinishTime.co.za | www.FinishTime.co.za

Unsubscribe: If you would no longer like to receive these communications then please click here 

Missing out on awesome stuff? View this email in your browser