Lifetime Marathon Licenses for Sale?
A recent article from Bloomberg News explains that the New York Road Runners organization, coordinators of the New York City marathon, are contemplating selling "permanent marathon entries". The concept would be similar to "lifetime season tickets" offered by some professional sports teams.
Although they're not saying how much the licenses would cost, organizers say that the money raised would help them to increase awareness of the sport and offer more opportunities to runners.
Personally, I was disappointed to hear that the Road Runners is considering this idea. Right now, there are several guaranteed ways to get into the New York marathon, without relying on luck. U.S. runners can either run in nine Road Runners races the prior year; participate in one of the race's official charity programs; gain automatic entry as a 15-year race veteran; be denied entry the three previous years; or run a competitive qualifying time. International runners can get automatic entry by purchasing a "marathon package'' through Road Runners' travel partners.
So if someone really wants to run New York, with some dedication and patience, they'll get in eventually. And, as anyone who has trained for a marathon knows, they'll need that kind of commitment during their training. I also think that the difficulty in getting into New York is part of the reason why it's such a thrill for runners when they finally make it there. So I don't think it would be fair to simply hand over numbers to people who can afford what I'm sure will be a high price for a lifetime number. And since the amount of spots in the race will always be limited, selling lifetime entries will take spots away from those runners who can't afford them and want to gain entry either through luck or hard work.
What do you think? Are lifetime marathon licenses a good idea? Share your thoughts in the comments section.
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Related Links:
- Running Your First Marathon
- Marathon Training FAQs
- Find a Marathon
Not sure this is such a great idea. Takes away from the sanctity of earning your way into some of the more prestigious events. Plus, what about those who purchase these “licenses”, then don’t use them? That takes away spots from those who could and would use them. Interesting concept to contemplate, though. Wonder how they would be distributed?
Love your content, Christine! I regularly share tidbits of yours with my readers.
It actually may be a good idea and could help the runner who only runs marathons occasionally. Statistically, the size of the field won’t change and since there aren’t too many runners who’d actually run it every year, the runners who run it without the license could benefit from the larger funding available; i.e. more food, aid stations and beer! Runners who are consistantly running it every year, can plan on having a spot without the hastle of competing for a spot every year.