San Francisco Marathon/Half Marthon Elite Entry Incentives

[Sean Sundwall]

Here's some information for elites on the blog looking for a marathon or half to run. It's for the San Francisco Full and Half Marathons on Sunday, July 26.
 

SAN FRANCISCO MARATHON (and Half Marathon) opportunity
2009
Sunday, July 26, 2009

Here is an opportunity for elite and emerging elite athletes. IMPORTANT
NOTE: We do not consider inviting non-U.S. athletes who are required to
have a U.S. visa, but do not currently have one and are not currently
residing in, or visiting, the U.S.

For more information, see:

www.runsfm.com

INSTRUCTIONS FOR INVITED STATUS

The 2009 San Francisco Marathon(tm) (and accompanying Second Half
Marathon) invites elite and emerging elite athletes to inquire about
participation in the event. Invited status is based on demonstrated past
performances. For qualified athletes, we offer:

-- Air travel assistance within the U.S. via JetBlue Airways.

-- Complimentary hotel accommodations at our official host hotel, the
Hyatt Regency Embarcadero Center in San Francisco

--Complimentary entry and seeded starting line position

We do NOT offer a prize money purse.

REQUIREMENTS FOR INVITED ATHLETE CONSIDERATION

Complimentary Entry, Travel, and Accommodations: Sub-2:30 men/Sub-2:50
women or equivalent within the past two years is suggested for
consideration.

Complimentary Entry and/or Accommodations Only: Sub-2:40 men/Sub-3:00
women or equivalent within the past two years is suggested for
consideration.

Slower times may be considered on a space-available basis.

Course Records
Marathon: Andrew Cook (2:25:57 - 2007) and Yolanda Flamino (2:43:41-
2007) Masters: Mustopha Berri (2:33:57 - 2008) and Carolyn Koszalka
(3:13:44 - 2007)

Second Half Marathon: Kelly Fermoyle (1:08:08 - 2007) and Ana Morales
(1:14:38 - 2008)

ELITE/INVITED ATHLETE APPLICATION/INSTRUCTIONS
Elite status is limited. Please apply as soon as possible, and no later
than July 1, 2009.

Elite applicants should apply via email. Please do the following:

As soon as possible, please email a complete running vita/resume AND
cover letter containing the following to the Elite Athlete Coordinator
below:

(a) Name, age, citizenship, current residence
Non-U.S, athletes please include your U.S, visa type (P-1, O-1, etc.) and
expiration date

(b) Sponsor/club

(c) All-time PRs

(d) Best races in last two years (race name, date, finishing place and
time)

(e) Best races all time (with above details)

Important!
Marathon Runners: Include a list of up to 5 marathon race finishing
times, including copies of your finisher's certificates, if available.

Half Marathon Runners: Include a list of up to 5 half marathon or
marathon race finishing times, including copies of your finisher's
certificates, if available

(f) Include all contact information INCLUDING your E-MAIL ADDRESS so we
can respond to your application.

Please e-mail ALL information to: elites@runsfm.com

If you do not have access to e-mail, send the information to:

RunSFM Elite Athlete Coordinator
P.O. Box 77148
San Francisco, CA 94107

Regards,
Mark Winitz
Invited Athlete and Media Coordinator
The San Francisco Marathon(tm)
Win-It!z Sports Public Relations
www.runsfm.com

[Sasha Pachev]

That is interesting. It is very rare that a sub-2:30 is all they ask to cover travel.  In a lot of marathons you are pushing it even with a sub-2:20. But what a great idea to partner with an airline. However, with no prize money they will not have anybody faster than 2:25, and no Africans. An ambitious local runner may want to put a hard marathon into his legs for publicity alone, but not a money earning Kenyan. I suppose, though, that was probably their goal anyway - have a US runner win with a time that is not too embarrassing.

[Dallen]

What I find interesting is that their 2:40 women's time is such a more difficult standard. A 2:40 woman could win some serious prize money in another race, not that prize money is everything. Travel expenses to San Francisco are worth more than many 2:30 men will ever win in a marathon.

[Superfly]

Yes that actually looks fun. I wonder if I could be in race shape by then...

[Paul Petersen]

I imagine the SF course is very hilly? Too bad, because otherwise this is a nice idea, and would have potential to gather a bunch of Trials hopefuls in one race. But without prize money and without a fast course, there's less incentive. But it's definitely a cool program. I will try to remember to look at results after this year to see what kind of depth they get. Personally, I can be enticed by 3 things: 1) prize money; 2) a fast course and opportunity for a PR; 3) thick, burly, nasty competition. A race only needs one of those things to get my attention, so perhaps eventually SF will have #3. Great competition in itself is a reason to run a race, IMO.

[Jon Allen]

I can be enticed by 3 things: 1) prize money; 2) a fast course and opportunity for a PR; 3) thick, burly, nasty competition.

Paul, if you like number 3, you should have gone into football.  Or arm wrestling.  Probably not running- most runners are pretty skinny and affable.

So do Walter, Cody, and myself classify as "thick, burly, nasty competition" such that you ran the Garland Wheat and Beat last year?  Or is there a lesser known "4th thing"- namely, dirt cheap entry fee with a complimentary all-you-can-eat breakfast afterwards at a local race?   Cause that is the only I ever need to be interested...

[Paul Petersen]

4) fun, and free breakfast. Forgot that one.

Actually, the Garland race had pretty good competition. I ran as hard as I could and took 3rd. I hung with the eventual winner as long as I could, but then got dropped. Couldn't quite catch the 2nd place guy.

[Paul Petersen]

Hmm...now that I look at the profile, the Half Marathon has about 150' of net elevation drop, which means that it's somewhat fast, and still a valid Trials qualifier. But it has some decent climbs too, so hard to say. I might be tempted to inquire about the half, if I haven't quit running by then.

[Fritz Van de Kamp]

I have run the marathon twice, both times in about 2:39.  I hit the wall very hard the second time I did it or else I would have been in the 2:35 range.  I wouldn't call it a slow course but it definitely has more terrain variation than point to point races around here. 

The first half is considerably slower than the 2nd, with lots of ups and downs but the scenery is much better.  If you have any specific questions you can shoot me an email.  -Fritz