By Susan Paul, Runner’s World You are not alone in your surprise about lottery entries or early close outs. Unfortunately, ...
By Susan Paul, Runner’s World
You are not alone in your surprise about lottery entries or early close outs. Unfortunately, I hear this all too often from many new runners who simply have no idea that signing up for a marathon sometimes requires a long-term plan.
It depends upon the popularity of the marathon you are considering, but doing your homework is essential. Visit the website of any race you are interested in as soon as possible and check out the dates and logistics of how and when to register. With three of the largest marathons—Chicago, Marine Corps, and New York—now lotteries, it’s important to know and understand their sign up process. But don’t despair, not all marathons are lotteries or close out early.
Here are my suggestions for a list of priorities to consider when searching for a race. Pick and choose what seems most important to you. What’s interesting is that your priorities change over time too, so it’s fun to keep re-arranging this list.
1. Budget: The cost of running a marathon varies tremendously. Entry fees are just one cost factor. Airfare, hotels, meals, and other transportation costs add up quickly and can get quite expensive. Deciding ahead of time how much you can realistically afford to spend as you begin your search is essential. If you are on a budget, look for races that are close or within driving distance. Smaller races, or races in smaller towns are typically less expensive than big city races. Also, small races can deliver quite a bang for your buck and a wonderful experience. If cost is not a factor, then you are wide open.
