Fast Running Blog

I know a lot of people on the blog have guaranteed entry but for those of us that had to go through the lottery, who made it and who didn't?  I made it for the 4th consecutive year.

I got in this year as well!

I got in but had a guarantee for canceling last year.

I'm not sure where Kim and I stand and we're both kind of bummed at the moment. I have an email from a couple of months ago telling me I have a guaranteed entry but yet neither Kim or I show up on the list.

We're wondering if we got lost in the shuffle somehow as originally when Kim and I registered I put us both under the same group name. But then later I emailed back and forth with some of the race folks regarding whether I had guaranteed entry the said that I DID have guaranteed and that I would "bypass the lottery". So I just wonder when they say "bypass the lottery" if perhaps both Kim and I got taken out of the lottery pool and left by the wayside.

At any rate at the moment I'm waiting to hear back from an email I sent last night to Carlene who was the person down in SG that told me I had guaranteed entry. Kim is busy at the moment looking into charity-related methods of getting in.

Hey if anyone else has some magic formula for getting in...do tell :)

Tom, I thought you did Painter's and Run 4 Kids.  I think you just had to do 2 out of the 7 races in the running series.  Please let us know what you find out.  Maybe Steve Hooper can help get you in.  There is another guy in our running group named Aaron that works for the city and helps organize the running events and we could also talk to him.

Dustin thanks for the suggestions. Although Kim and I did run Painter's and Run4Kids, we weren't thinking during the time before then when you had to officially sign up for the race series for guaranteed entry and we never signed up. At the time I had been told I already had guaranteed entry and Kim wasn't really considering running a marathon back then. I think they only allow 500 runners to get in by doing the race series.

I'm pretty sure I'll be able to get in since I have an email from Carlene that says as much. To get Kim in however we may need to work a little harder but I think we'll be able to find a way. I'll remember what you said about Steve and Aaron and maybe talk to them if we're not getting anywhere after the next couple of weeks.

My husband and I both got in on our first try.  We have never been to St. George.  Can someone recommend a good, convenient place to stay?

Most of the time things are already booked up.  But I know alot of people double book rooms so they have extras and either can give the reservation to you or they cancle it and you will be albe to book it.  You just have to put the word out.  Or call at the end of July when everyone cancles there rooms.

Myself and the majority of my running group got left out.  It looks like I'll be running the Grand Slam, which I really didn't want to do this year.

We have had good experiences with the Coronada Inn and Suites the last couple of times, and they changed their reservation policy this year, so that you can (apparently) only book a room 90 days out.  It is fairly nice and is close enough that you can walk to the starting line.  That being said, since they changed their policy, we are at the Travelodge this year.

Shauna - I stayed at a crummy motel last year and I think I will book at the Courtyard this year or rent a condo.  The Courtyard has shuttles to the start, food before the start, and poolside massages included--sounds good to me after the marathon.

I didn't know the Courtyard even had availability - we had checked earlier.  Guess maybe openings will appear when people start to cancel their reservations . . .

I'm happy to report that I made it in.  I had such a good time last year that I'm bringing 9 friends from Texas with me this year.  (I think they're still traumatized by Chicago last year!)  To them, my St. George experience from last year sounded so good by comparison that we entered two groups of 5 in the lottery and both groups made it in.

I didn't make it in, and I'm pretty angry. I had to pull some strings last year to run it, and I can't do that this year. This would have been my 8th consecutive year. Trying to make it to the 10 year mark. I guess I'll have to be creative or beg or something.

I'm in via the '3rd times a charm' rule.  By the way, the Courtyard is awesome.  I'll be staying there again this year.

Craig:

Try to win a small marathon or a half that gives St. George entries. Pocatello did last year.

Hey all - But James and Shauna in particular - The Courtyard does have availability (I just called and booked) they just show it as unavailable because you have to book a room through a coordinator.  Her name is Nicole.  The number is 435-986-0555.  You have to book two nights and the rate is $179 per night.  I think it is worthwhile because 1) they have shuttles to and from the event so I don't have to worry about how to get there and back, they have complementary massages for marathoners poolside on Saturday, a runners breakfast in the morning, MacK will likely be staying there, and of course, the Courtyard won't have lumpy beds and soft pillows, unlike the cheesy motel we stayed at last year.

Call me stingy :) - every time we have stayed in St. George, we have never stayed an extra day, but have preferred to drive home on Saturday.  However, perhaps it might be easier in terms of checkout policy . . . as I recall, last year, we had to hurry back to the Coronada so that we could check out.  I don't remember even getting the chance to shower after my run.  Lybi and I will have to talk about that.  BTW, just checked and the Coronada Inn does have availability for Friday night - $99.99 per night for a king bed suite (separate living area, plus fridge and microwave) plus tax.  I am thinking of changing my reservation - we have had pretty good experiences with them, and I have always slept fine on their beds.  They may not be huge, but they are big enough.  Can anyone comment on experiences at the Travelodge?

Yes, there are a few local races that give away entries to the winner. I witnessed the 5k last year that Watler was at. He thought he had it in the bag, but then these hardcore young college runners blew by towards the end. I would do well if I could find a half marathon that will give away an entry. I'll look.

Craig there is also the Grand Slam method to get in (thanks Cal for pointing this out to me). You would have to register by the end of the month I think ($45 ?) and then sign up, run and finish DesNews, ParkCity and TOU. Certainly not the most convenient way to get in but an option nonetheless.

Looks like I'm in the same boat as you as well as my wife Kim. I'm not feeling to happy about the SGM folks right now since I had received an email in early April telling me I was guaranteed but now I get an email today telling me I messed up by originally signing Kim and I up for the lottery under a group name so I'm out of luck. This is 2 years straight now they've jerked me around.

There is also the charity route, however I noticed bidding for the charity auction entries have been going for hundreds of dollars.

Wow Tom, I think you have really gotten screwed the last two years! It is absolutely unbelievable to me that they didn't let you run last year at the last minute and now they aren't letting you in again. I would definitely be making some calls to those with more authority and telling them your story. That is really messed up! I am embarrassed of the City of St. George when it comes to their running events.

Heart of Holladay allows you to put the name of your favorite person on the registration form you want to run St. George. Let's all pick one person and run for him/her. This should be somebody that does not have a chance of getting in as elite this year or winning a qualifying race. I propose we do it for Kim, unless I hear otherwise I am going to put her on my registration form.

Sasha,
Thank you so much for what you have suggested!  I'm very grateful!  I have a slight chance to earn a spot this Saturday at the Running with angels 5k.  Let me see if there is any chance I can get one there before anyone submits my name.  I will let you know what happens asap.  With this race they had us submit a story of how we have overcome adversities in our lives.  So it isn't to the fastest one or just a random drawing.  I'm hoping that not a lot of people put a story in.  If I can't get it this Saturday I would love to have another chance if possible and any help I could get would be greatly appreciated!  I can't believe how it brought me down to not get in on the lottery.  I want to run SGM this year!   Thanks again for your idea.  I will keep you posted.  Kim

Sasha thanks so much for proposing this for Kim, of course I think it's a super idea! Thanks to everyone on the blog for all the continued support!

Also I wanted to mention that as of today I'm supposedly back IN the race. I sent another email last night explaining the whole thing again and they came back today and said I was in (although I still don't show up on the list yet). I know I've bad-mouthed the SGM race folks a bit but I have to say all my dealings with Carlene have been great. She has been a pleasure to talk to and work with and has always gone out of her way to be helpful.

Of course if Kim doesn't get in it will be a little bittersweet for me so I really hope we can get her in either this Saturday or in June at the Holladay race! Go KIM! Thanks again everyone!

Ooh, I hope that you both get in!  Keep us posted, Tom - we will be hoping to see both of you there in St. George to run!

Kim Lee, both me and Sylvie will put your name on the Heart of Holiday, good luck. 

Yes, the Grand Slam is still open. I have vacation scheduled and will be gone August 23rd, so I'm out. Maybe I can try for a July 4th win at one of those races that gives away an entry...

I tried to win a guaranteed spot for the SGM today at the Running with Angels 5K.  Well, it didn't work out in my favor.  There is one less person out there trying to get into the marathon now, it's just not me.  I am really liking Sasha's idea about the Heart of Holladay 5K.  If any of you are planning on running it and don't have someone else to run for I would definitely love to have you submit my name as the St. George Hopeful on your registration form.  You have to be pre registered in order to put a name on.  If you have already registered you can call in and have them put a name on.  (My lovely friends, Brent and Sylvie, have already done that!  Thank you B & S!)  Thank you everyone!  And especially Sasha for the great idea!  It feels really good to have such great support!