Anyone know the time brackets for which GFA (Fast GFA or standard) start runners will be put in?
Reason I ask is I've a GFA based on a 2:57 which I'd assume would put me in the FGFA start (I was in there previously off a 2:55). However, I'm not planning on having a proper crack this year so want to pace round a friend who is aiming for 3:17. She qualified with a 3:27 (18-40) so wondering if we'll be allocated the same GFA pen? And if not, will I be permitted to move from the FGFA to the standard GFA, and can this be done at the Expo?
Hopefully that all makes sense! Ta
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you can now see where you'll be starting as final instructions and numbers available.
Got my number through which puts me in FGFA whereas my friend is in Regular GFA. So the 'cut-off' is somewhere between 2:57 and 3:27.....! As Dave says, 3:10 seems to be a rough figure. Makes sense I guess, Championship start is 2:45 (I think?) so if all the GFAs (regardless of age/gender) were in together you'd have the 2:46s with the 6:30s....
Just checked my race number and it seems I'm in blue start even though I have a GFA place. Is this a new thing does anyone know? GFA is usually green start. I'm wondering if it's because I deferred from last year?
<div class="QuoteAuthor"><a href="/profile/Cheerful%20Dave">Cheerful Dave</a> said:</div>
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<div class="QuoteAuthor"><a href="/profile/Wardi">Wardi</a> said:</div>
<div class="QuoteText">In other words nothing to worry about.</div>
</blockquote>
Apart from the possibility of the GFA goalposts being moved for next year, I guess.</div>
</blockquote>
Well that has happened, big changes. Cap in number of applicants and also target time changes as well as age brackets. Up on VMLM website now.
i am on that bracket of having run 3:01 last year at 43yo which would have qualified me for this year and next year - now i cannot rely on that - next year i am 45 on race day but have to still qualify as a 40-44 yo - and even then i'm not guaranteed - its confusing and demolishing!!
Lets see what happens - it sounds like there will be less finishers sub 3 with these rules and then more further back - its not great for GFA blokes but I guess there are other marathons too.
Good luck on Sunday everyone.
If (as will likely be the case) GFA is oversubscribed, they tighten all acceptance times until they have struck out enough applicants to hit the capacity limit.
Boston (30,000 capacity and mostly by time qualification) need you to beat the times by about 3.5 minutes now.
I'd not be surprised if it's hot this year that some GFA ers defer until next year for better rubniru conditions .
this is really going to reduce the numbers in 3hr range finishing - its going to go really quiet at the finish after the winners come through
They've also announced a bit of a wave start this year though for Red and Blue Starts - so that might help avoid some of the congestion ? Quite a good idea really. I know Rock and Roll races do that already.