The B.A.A. (Boston Athletic Association) has made some changes to the Boston Marathon qualifying process for the next two years so if you are working towards that goal you need to know the new rules.
In 2012 the qualifying times remain the same but the registration process has changed. It will be a rolling registration which begins on Sept 12 allowing all runners who have bettered their qualifying standard by 20 minutes, two days later those bettering their qualifying standard by 10 minutes can register and then two days after that those who have met their qualifying standard by five minutes can register. If at this point there is still room registration will open to all qualifiers for the next week. If after this two week period there is still space registration will remain open to any qualifier on a first come first serve basis. Take note that your chances of securing a spot are higher if you qualify before Sept 12 and the faster you run!
In 2013 the rolling registration remains in place PLUS qualifying times will be reduced by five minutes for each and every age group AND the 59 second grace period will not be accepted. Note the 2013 qualifying times take effect Sept 2011. All details at
www.baa.org.
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Racing season is upon us again. At the Peterborough Half Marathon and 5k sponsored by Pepsi Co. there was a large local showing. Ben Perks was our fastest local with a finishing time of 1:15:23 and was followed by Mike MacNeil (1:41:12), Ashley Armstrong (1:39:05), Boyd Kalnay (1:23:40), Michelle Kitchener (2:04:35), Ed Kooistra (1:34:52), David Morrison (1:38:35), Galen Nuttall (1:56:47), Erinn Westerhof (2:13:41), April Archer (2:13:41), Sarah Boggett (2:08:53), Dave Boyko (1:47:01), Ivann Dube (1:19:30), Jutta Merilainen (1:22:21), Julie Soule (2:09:06), Emily Reid (2:15:31), Tara Prance (1:58:38), Tracy Allan (2:03:36), Bernie Hogan (1:18:15), Michael Foley (1:44:06) and Alexander Noel-Turner (1:54:32). The 5k was run by Mary L. McGriskin (49:59), Aaron Merilainen (25:12), Sophia Merilainen (26:13), Chris Lessard (30:52), Miriam Zeltner (33:00) and Megan Lloyst (28:23).
Scott Mackinnon braved the cold and completed the Winterman Marathon in 5:15:36 while Ernesto Caceres completed the half marathon in 2:02:29. Jeff Walsh raced the Grimsby half marathon finishing 19th overall in 1:24:07.
At the Gatineau Loppett skating events Diana Cooper finished the 10k in 1:05:55, Mike Carmody raced the 16k in 1:54:08 and 28k was completed by William Crothers (1:41:54), Stephen Cornall (1:56:56) and Gilbert Leclerc (2:47:59).
The Freezin? 5k fun run was held on Saturday February 26th with close to 30 runners in attendance. Fun and food were had by all with proceeds going to the Gleaners Food bank. If you are interested in more local runs go to
www.triandrunsports.com Events page or visit
www.redballradio.com Belleville Runners Club page. Next races up are Sears National Kids Cancer Fun Run/Walk 5k/1k on March 20 followed by the Pitter Patter 5k/10k on April 10th at Loyalist College. With so many local events to choose from there is no reason to be home on your couch Sunday mornings!
