I just got off the phone with Broad Street Run race director Jim Marino, who confirmed that registration for the May 5th race next year will be held by lottery—meaning, you’ll have a two-week window in February during which you can enter a lottery and then names will be selected at random for entry to the race. About 40,000 bibs, in total, will be available. The move is an attempt to alleviate at least some of the frustration created by last year’s record-breaking, five-hour sellout and help level the playing field.
“We want to avoid the mass confusion of last year,” said Marino. “There were so many people, like teachers and doctors, who couldn’t register in that period because they weren’t able to get to a computer. They didn’t have an equal chance.”
Broad Street veterans, don’t panic just yet. Right now, Marino’s team is busy compiling a database of all the runners who have ever participated in the Broad Street Run. Then, Marino says, he’ll extend an opportunity for long-time Broad Streeters to register before the masses, a thank you for their help in building the race. Marino says he hasn’t yet determined what will qualify a runner as a “veteran” for registration purposes; that will be decided when the database is complete.
In the meantime, if you want to guarantee that you’ll have a spot, you can preregister starting today with Broad Street’s charity partners. The biggest is the American Cancer Society, which is taking up to 750 runners who commit to raise at least $500. Locally, the group provides research grants, transportation for cancer patients, and a 37-room free lodging facility for patients at Fox Chase, among other programs. Runners can sign up here, and may give a “soft” commitment for raising the $500 minimum. Dan Lavelle, who’s running the registration program through ACS’s DetermiNation, says runners will then have up to six weeks prior to the May 5th race to make a “hard” commitment, at which time you’ll be locked in to raising the necessary funds. Once you’re locked in, you’re also guaranteed a race bib.
“Five-hundred dollars is a lot of money, so to alleviate the burden we wanted to open it now to give athletes the extra five months to fundraise,” says Lavelle. His group hopes to raise $575,000 through the Broad Street Run effort.
Runners who sign up through the American Cancer Society will get some extra race-weekend and race-day perks, including a “fast pass” to the front of the line for bib pickup at the expo and ACS-runners-only tents at the start and finish line —both equipped with private Porta Potties. Lavelle said they provided a few Porta Potties last year for their runners, but the perk proved so popular that they’re doubling the number. This year, they’ll have four Porta Potties at the starting line and eight at the finish.
The other two groups offering bibs in exchange for fundraising are Back on My Feet, which has 250 bibs, and Students Run Philly Style. The fundraising minimum for these charities is also $500. Cathryn Sanderson, Back on My Feet’s communications director, told me that as of 11:10, they’d already received 40 inquiries. Students Run Philly Style’s Heather McDanel says her group’s registration portal will open no later than 2 p.m. today.
In other words, get on it, Be Wellers.
>> Tell us: Are you happy or unhappy that the race is moving to a lottery system? Share your thoughts on the comments.
Any word on what happens to people who deferred their registrations from last year? we were supposed to be guaranteed a spot for 2013.
Hi Jaclyn – I just confirmed with Jim Marino. He says those who deferred will be guaranteed entry into the 2013 race. Broad Street will reach out to folks in that boat before the lottery. Hope that helps.
Yes! Thank you so much.
I’m in favor of a lottery system, but also sympathetic to those of us who have run this race for 10, 15, 20, 25 or more years. It would be upsetting to break our streaks. Would the race be helpful to long time participants gaining entries?
I’m wondering about corporate and club team registration. I sent a question over to the BSR contact email asking about whether those team registrations are part of the lottery or how that would work. They said they didn’t know. How could they announce a lottery without accounting for the different types of registrants? Anyone know more details about this?
I am upset. This is my favorite race. I have run it for three years. I run with my running group. People even come from out of town to run. We always have a party after. This will ruin the tradition. My friends all got in last year. Maybe they should do half the regular registration and lottery for those who don’t get in.
They should also take into consideration time qualifications. Less walkers and more RUNNERS. It should have guaranteed registrations for those who meet a time qualification with previous Broad Street Runs or half marathon distances.
I agree, if the run is popular with runners, they should restrict/ban registration by people who plan on walking.
40,000 bibs? Are you kidding me? This race is needs to be capped at 20,000 at the most. I used to run every year prior to the sudden gain in popularity when the announced participation was 21,000. The subways are so over crowded and cannot accommodate tens of thousands of people. Maybe when people get seriously hurt and the law suits start, you will decrease the amount of entries?
I think it is ridiculous to have a lottery. It is also ridiculous to have to raise money as well. I just had to work so hard to raise $1300 to run in a half marathon for the Leukemia Society. My family and friends are not going to want to donate again so fast.
The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society also has the Team in Training Program that offers bibs in exchange for fundraising.
Time qualification is the only true fair way to gain admission. Is this the Broad Street Run or the Broad Street Lottery? 40,000 entrants is also far too many. Top 25,000 finishers from the previous year plus 7000 from a lottery should be more than enough
[...] of the nation’s most popular 10 mile run – The Broad Street Run – announced the 2013 registration will be by lottery. This has caused sharp reaction both for and against this change. The 2012 Broad Street Run sold [...]
I wanted to run the race last year and did not get it, so I entered the lottery, and did still not get in. Right now, I am disappointed with the lottery. Why not figure something out for a better solution like having two races and merging the times? An “A” race with all the seeded racers and a “B” race for teams, etc.
I wanted to run the race last year and did not get it, so I entered the lottery, and still did not get in. Right now, I am disappointed with the lottery. Why not figure something out for a better solution like having two races and merging the times? An “A” race with all the seeded racers and a “B” race for teams, etc.
I wanted to run the race last year and did not get it, so I entered the lottery, and did not get in. Right now, I am disappointed with the lottery. Why not figure something out for a better solution like having two races and merging the times? An “A” race with all the seeded racers and a “B” race for teams, etc.
I am very unhappy about this. I ran broad street last year for the first time due to the Lehigh 1/2 marathon I run every year falling on the same day. I was extremely disappointed with the race last year. There were more walkers than actual runners. It was ridiculous in a sense to the many of us athletes who put so much time and dedication into training. I was the only one of the 5 people in my running group that got in. It was a huge disappointment. Maybe they should create a 5k walk to eleaviate the volume and have a time requirement as well for the race or just be clear RUN HARD or STAY HOME!
How about making this a two day event? Where you can run on Saturday or Sunday. At least from a runners perspective then just about anyone that wants to do it will have the opportunity. I just fear that with this run becoming harder and harder to get into, that more people will start trying to register just to sell the bibs to others for a higher price.
How do you determine who is “running hard?” One thing I have loved about the BSR and most big runs is that there are runners of all backgrounds and abilities who are out to accomplish a goal. And most of us support each other, no matter what ability.
Everyone has a story, and none of us knows anyone else’s story. I love watching the runners around me, and wondering what brought them here. What is a very hard run for me is a boring trot to another runner. But I am just as proud of my accomplishments as everyone else is. And I’m proud of all the other runners in the same race…whether faster (which is most of them) or slower than I. Whatever BSR decides to do will be fine with me. If they decide to bow to the pressure to create an elite running event with qualifying times, then I’ll know I’ll be able to find another welcoming race somewhere, and start a new tradition.
Just please don’t assume that slower runners, or even those who have to stop and walk to regain their stamina, are not “running hard.” You really don’t know.
there are any plenty of great alternatives. It is a danger to public safety to put 40000 people on that tight of a course. The logistics are horrendous. Park, subway, lines, port a potty, claustrophobic start. I ran it for several years and bailed at 20000.
Im upset about lottery because im a loyal suporter of Broad Street and havent been able to run for 6 months. I have received experimenttal treatments of shots called regenokine and Broad Street Run was to mark my return to running. I have thought about this race over and over again and its the only thing in my mind that has gotten me through terrible times of not only not running but not being able to walk. I need to run BROAD STREET
I agree I don’t understand why this wouldn’t be a two day event the demand obviously well exceeds the limit. Why not make it two days and raise twice the money and make it easier for more people to participate??
I know and I personally hate when runs and other events shut down half the city and make it impossible to drive through but I think this is one of the events thats been around so long just like the marathon that it deserves the ability to do this. Not to mention it seems the police are pretty diligent about opening up roads as soon as they can to minimize traffic problems.
I agree Phil. There are too many walkers
I am not sure how I feel about the lottery system. I have run the race for the past 3 years and trained hard for it . I do agree with one of the replies that the race has seemed to increase the amount of walkers vs runners.. I am all for those who want to get fit, but these people take away entries from the runners. Maybe walkers could have a separate entry. I do agree that the numbers must be limited as last year it was very crowded.
I agree Mike. I used to love this race. I have done it 10 times. Its not fun anymore. The subway cant handle the crowd and the race is to congested. Cant even get up to my pace until the 3rd or 4th mile. I’m done with this race.
Agree or disagree, its a lottery…. so deal with it. The real question is WHEN can we enter this lottery?!
Why not have time qualifications and guaranteed entry for those seeded above and lottery for those below? The logistics would be tough…proving that comparable times were actually run. But if this could be pulled off the race would still be huge, all of the “faster” runners would get in, and the “slower” runners would have a chance to train hard and qualify or take a chance on the lottery….
Stop whining – if you are that dead set on qualifying times – go qualify for Boston – or are you only elite in a 10 mile race?
This is very upsetting to me. I’ve run this race for 3 years and I love it. It gives me something to work towards. I really hope I can get it
I realize that i am a late comer to this thread but needed to comment for anyone still reading. I am 55. I have run the last 4 Broad Street Runs. My first was 4 months after i was told i had a heart attack and needed to get back into regular excersize.
Last year I was on my best pace yet and ended up with severe calf cramps at mile 8 and was a “hobbler” not a walker for the last two miles. To most of the elite runners on their way back to their cars i must have looked like a slacker. But, i was trying.
I think that the organizers need to decide if this is the Broad Street RUN or the Broad Street RACE. If the first then guys like me are accepted and we can rall celebrate our accomplishments. If it is a RACE then you do need to jettison us struggling runners whose personal best is a crawl to the racers.
Hopefully, see you in May.
I think the lottery thing is ridiculous. Whose fault is it that the whole process was jacked up this year? I’ll take the organizers for $100 Pat!!! And I had to fundraise for 2 years in a row…not feeling it this year! I know my little $35 won’t matter, but this lottery thing sure did leave a bad taste in my mouth.
They should have a combination of qualifying times and veteran runners to decide who is guaranteed an entry. Also raise the price a little and donate the extra fees to a charity that will thin out the demand a little
I’m a little nervous about the lottery. I ran the race first three years ago. I didn’t get in two years ago because it sold out in record time then too. I got in early last year because I had blue cross insurance which I no longer have.
I think it’s fair to just let us register the old fashioned way. It should be capped at 30,000. 40,000 is way too many people.
I’ve run this race off and on (mostly on) since it first started – when there were less than 500 runners and we finished in JFK stadium. I’m a little concerned that the records don’t go back nearly far enough to capture all the veterans. Hopefully BSR has the records from the beginning. My suggestion, a veterans category along with a modest price increase to thin the application number.
Like all of you, I am a fellow runner who is nervous about the lottery system. I was lucky enough to get a spot last year (it took HOURS of frustration), and while something clearly has to change, upping the number of runners and the lottery system seems scary.
As a runner, I feel that athletes who achieve certain times should have first priority, which would knock out some of the walkers. Vets should be grandfathered into the race, just like NYCM handles it.
As a coach, I respect anyone who is out there and clicking away at 10 miles – regardless of speed. However, someone who registers, with the goal of walking the ENTIRE race, should not take the spot of someone who is going to run, jog, or run/walk. Obviously cramps and injuries happen on the day of, which is not the problem. The problem is the 10s of thousands of people I pass as I walk home from the race who are all walking the course.
Like it or not, we are all out there with a chip on our bib, TIMING us. Yes, it’s fantastic that people are getting out and healthy, and I wouldn’t have a job as a coach if everyone were super-humans. The BSR is a RACE. We all run that race for different reasons, but letting walkers get a spot in a “race” of runners doesn’t make sense. There are all kinds of charity walks, specifically designed for walkers out there.
I’m very annoyed by the news that Broad Street is switching to a lottery system. I was so looking forward to this run.
I am still planning on running it whether I get picked in the lottery or not. I’ll just track my time with a watch if I don’t get picked in the lottery.
I’ve run this the past two years and while I may not be the fastest, I am happy to say that I run the whole thing and in a respectable time. Obviously this is a ‘run’ and not a ‘race’, but it’s also a ‘run’ and not a ‘walk’. I applaud anyone that goes out there with their heart set on a completing a 10 mile run or to get in better shape, but for those who know they are going to walk the whole thing or run maybe two miles and walk 8, please think about those runners out there whose place you will be taking in a ‘run’. there are plenty of 5K runs and charity walks that you can sign up for that will be more your speed and you can feel good about completing. I think that Vets and reasonable times should be a factor in the lottery that will be taking place whether we like it or not.
I’m not supportive of the lottery. I gained entry last year b/c a friend registered thru Verizon…Comcast couldn’t handle it! 40,000 is too many people….and to think one or more of our supportive family/friends not being chosen due to a lottery is disheartening! So, if a lottery, I do agree with others that it is a “run”, and if you’re planning on a 10-mile walk, choose a walking event. Please allow those who have trained hard to run, a better chance
to get in…and yes, the Veterans do deserve a guaranteed spot!
I love the BSR! I have run the last four years it’s a family event. I have 4 children and they run in the kids fun runs. So I would like to keep it a family event. If I don’t get in on the lottery I’ll just run it. No lottery find another way please!
I disagree with some of the feedback. I ran/walked in 3 Philly marathons and struggle with asthma. I cannot run the whole race. My TNT coach got me interested into the Broad Street Run for the first time last year and I loved it! I registered myself with a long time partner who also runs with me and I’m not sure if I would qualify because I only did it one time. I have been training for this and now, I might not make it????It doesn’t seem fair. Everyone should have the same opportunity to get a bib. We all know when the sign ups are going to be and it is up to the individual to do it. I missed the opportunity the year before but got in 2012. I feel you will always sell out but you are eliminating everyone who wants to try a long distance run but not ready to run a complete 1/2 or full marathon. I feel early registration for those who ran the previous year and another registration for the rest as you have always done is fair to all, runners and walkers alike.
In order to appease and accommodate everyone, I feel we need to have a one day event but staggered start. Currently we have a start time of 8:30am. Based on the previous finish times, if we take the top 15 thousand or so finishers and start them at 7:30am. Then start the second wave of rest of runners at 9:00am. By that time many of the runners will have finished or almost finished and cleared out. We may need a little more resources in terms of water and so forth. BUT, we can accommodate so many more participants and not have lottery to exclude anyone who wants to be there. After all this if for charity and it is for city of Brotherly Love!!