Maybe it’s because I live in a big metropolitan area (Washington, D.C.), or because there aren’t that many races at my preferred race distance (10 miles), but my favorite races fill up months ahead of time and can be difficult to get into.
After losing sleep last week so I could sign up for the Army Ten Miler when registration opened at midnight, and having friends who got shut out of the Marine Corps Marathon when their computers froze because the servers couldn’t handle the traffic, I wondered if race entry lotteries are better then first-come-first-served race entries, at least for popular races that sell out within a few hours. I took an informal poll in some of my running groups on Facebook, and most people do seem to favor some sort of lottery system.
This was my favorite comment against lotteries:
Laura: I don’t like lotteries. I prefer to fight it out with registration and know that I did everything that I could to get into the race. With a lottery I always end up feeling bitter and cheated (maybe because I never get picked when I enter a race using a lottery system).
I’ve been lucky with the Cherry Blossom lottery, but I know I’d feel this way if I didn’t get in!
My friend Vicki pointed out that first-come-first-served entries can unfairly shut out people who don’t have 24/7 access to a computer and people who have to work (or have other obligations) when registration opens. She would prefer a lottery with a short sign-up period, so you still need to act promptly–just not immediately.
Erica prefers a hybrid entry system that combines a lottery with some guaranteed entries:
Erica: I like the NYC solution – it is a lottery but if you are local and run a certain # of races or club member or meet time qualifiers you are guaranteed. That is a reasonable approach so local runners have a chance.
The Cherry Blossom Lottery has a guaranteed entry program for people who volunteered the year before–I think that’s a great idea.
I was surprised at the number of people like Angela who said that they “avoid overly popular races for this reason.”
Angela: I would rather know if I am definitely running or not so I don’t like the lottery system. I also don’t want to waste hours and stress over registering against thousands of others all at once. There are plenty of other races out there, I’ll just find a different one!
I think the most frustrating part of my experience was that I didn’t have to register right at midnight. There were still about 12,000 entries left when I got up at 5:00, and even a few thousand left when I got to work at 8:00 and encouraged a work colleague to enter. Still, I hope the organizers try something different next year.
(I’m missing a few, but look how much bigger they’ve gotten over the years!)
I need to get in one more time before I can qualify for priority registration as someone who has run this race at least seven times!
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Do you prefer race entry lotteries or do you trust your high-speed internet connection to get you into popular first-come-first-served races?
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So far I have only entered one race lottery and it was for the Nike Women's Half Marathon and I got in! It was a bit stressful though playing the waiting game. I would rather just take my chances with trying to register rather than waiting to see if I got picked in a lottery.
Hmmm…I've never tried either! lol I'd rather do it online 🙂
We have a local race that is lottery and I hate it! I prefer to plan and know rather then waiting. I think races need to have registration open at "normal" times online and just have regular registration.
I prefer first come first serve. If "not being able to be at a PC at the moment registration opens" is an issue, it's not that important to a person. If it's important, they'll use a personal day or vacation day, 99.9% of the time, in my opinion.
The only lotto entry I've participated in was for Ironman Kona, a race that will take me yeeeaars to try to qualify for, assuming I work really, really hard. I doubt I'll ever be able to actually qualify. So lotto entry for me!
I have to politely say I don't agree with this simply because:
1. not all runners may be able to afford having a personal computer/internet at home
2. not all runners may have the ability get to a free computer (library – which requires strict hours)
3. not all runners can afford to use a personal/vacation day because of lose of income – maybe people don't even get those types of days anymore
Just providing another perspective – because these runners are people too and should get the chance to participate! They may have saved up money or whatever the reason but may have the same amount of access.
I've only had to go the lottery route once (NYC Half) and only one time did I sit perched by the computer to register at exactly the time registration opened. Both times I got in. Most races I do are small enough that I don't have to wait by the laptop to try to register. Although I agree with Steena, if it's that important to you, you'll find a way to make it happen.
I totally disagree with Steena! That''s heartless. Some people cannot take a day off work! That doesn't address the issue of computers crashing due to overload, either. Let's have at least an 8 hour period when people can sign up. I also would say the lottery should be held ASAP (if the event is full within the sign up time.) so people do know almost right away.
I agree with Erica that some spots should be reserved for some.. I think most races do that anyway.
Kierston… its' all done online..
I don't like either, I like the smaller races where I know I am guaranteed a spot and there isn't a huge crowd at the race. Not to say big races aren't fun but just like a guarantee I got in without guessing or fighting my way in.
Race lotteries stress me out so I've avoided them. There are too many non- lottery races to bother. That's not to say I say I won't ever try. Interesting question.
Great post. I'm new to the DC racing scene (having lived in MD for 1.5 years now) and I have to tell you I'm already over it. I've done Army Ten Miler, Cherry Blossom, and Nike DC and I'm ready to stick to smaller races without all the fuss of a lottery or crazy registration.
That said, I think the lottery works best for the big DC races – but love the local idea and ways to gain a guanteed entry by being declined so many previous years or through volunteering previous years.
Really interesting thoughts – I have only had to enter one lottery, for the Nike Women's Half in SF. I didn't get in, which was for the best.
I love the idea of giving locals a priority. Nice sense of loyalty to the local community.
I also love that you have so many 10 mile options, that's such a great distance.