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The ING New York City Marathon is making changes to it’s guaranteed entry guidelines.  First, the Boston Marathon changed it’s registration guidelines and now it’s NYC’s turn to do the same.

NYC, like Boston, is having to make changes in wake of the plethora of marathoners that have popped up in the last decade.

The NYC Marathon is making the changes so that non-guaranteed runners will have a chance, via the lottery, of gaining a spot.

We believe that non-guaranteed entry is an essential element of the democracy of our marathon, and that it enhances the diversity of the marathon field. In order to preserve non-guaranteed entry at the ING New York City Marathon, we are changing some standards and policies.

Here is a look at the ING NYC Marathon Guaranteed Entry Changes:

The following guaranteed entry methods are changing:

Qualifying by cancelling entry. In the past, applicants to the marathon who canceled their entry according to cancellation guidelines were eligible for guaranteed entry to the following year’s race, and could continue to cancel (and receive guaranteed entry) in subsequent years. Our new policy preserves the cancellation policy but prohibits guaranteed entry by this method following a second consecutive cancellation.
Example: Jane is accepted to run the ING New York City Marathon 2011. She develops an injury and cancels her entry. Jane is eligible for guaranteed entry to the 2012 marathon; however, if she enters and then cancels her entry to the 2012 marathon, she is not eligible for guaranteed entry in 2013.

Note: Entrants who cancel and apply for guaranteed entry the following year must meet the application deadline and pay all applicable fees.

For guidelines on cancellation through a charity, consult your charity.
For guidelines on cancellation through an International Travel Partner, consult the ITP.
For Athletes with Disabilities cancellation guidelines, click here.

Qualifying by being denied entry three consecutive times. In the past, applicants to the marathon have been eligible for guaranteed entry if they have been denied entry three years in a row. This policy will be gradually eliminated. Applicants denied entry for the three years 2009-2011 will be eligible for guaranteed entry in 2012. Applicants denied entry for the three years 2010-2012 will be eligible for guaranteed entry in 2013. Applicants denied entry for the three years 2011-2013 will not be eligible for guaranteed entry in 2014.
Example: John applies for non-guaranteed entry in 2011 and is denied. If John was also denied entry in 2009 and 2010, he is eligible for guaranteed entry in 2012. If this is only John’s second consecutive denial, and he is also denied entry in 2012, he is eligible for guaranteed entry in 2013. If he is denied entry in 2011, 2012, and 2013, he is not eligible for guaranteed entry in 2014.

Qualifying by finishing 15 previous New York City Marathons. The ING New York City Marathon offers eligibility for guaranteed entry to runners who have finished 15 or more New York City Marathons. We will discontinue this policy, though we will grandfather in all runners who accumulate 15 or more finishes as of 2015.
Example: Joe has finished 15 New York City Marathons as of 2011. Joe is eligible for guaranteed entry in 2012. Bob, who has finished 11 New York City Marathons as of 2011 and also finishes in 2012, 2013, 2014, and 2015, is eligible for guaranteed entry in 2016 and going forward. Ed, who accumulates only 14 finishes by 2015, is not eligible for guaranteed entry in 2016, nor going forward (using this guaranteed entry method).

Qualifying with a fast marathon or half-marathon time. The time qualifying standards will be tightened to 75% of age-graded times in five-year increments:

Read all about the new changes on the NYC Marathon Website (HERE)

Boston and NYC are great marathons, but there are hundreds of marathons in the United States alone now. Many of them are just as exciting and challenging.  Most are a lot easier to gain entry to, get to, and run a PR-worthy race.

Back in May, we told you about Brett Henderson who streaked naked at the Flying Pig Marathon in Cincinnati.  He was arrested for his lewd act that day.

Today he had his day in court:

The judge placed Henderson on a year of probation, ordered him to spend 80 hours doing community service, to never run in the Flying Pig marathon again and to pay the marathon the $110 entry fee he never paid.

YouTube Video of Henderson Streaking at the Pig:

I can’t argue with the sentencing, but would the judge have been as severe with his ruling if the runner had been a woman?

RELATED: 2011 Flying Pig Marathon Medal

Runner/bus rider Rob Sloan has admitted to cheating at the Kielder Marathon after falsely finishing in third place. His bronze finished had since been stripped, and Sloan has admitted to cheating the course.

Sunderland Harrier Rob Sloan, 31, disembarked just before the end of the Kielder Marathon and emerged from a wooded section of the course to rejoin the race and pick up the bronze medal.

But the runner, who just 24 hours earlier had won a 10K race, was spotted by a number of witnesses, and organisers were left with no alternative but to disqualify him after Sunday’s event.

Sloan decided to drop at mile 20, hopped on the bus, then got off the bus to finish the last part of the race, finishing in 3rd place.

“Rob Sloan of Sunderland Harriers had apparently made the decision to withdraw from the race at approximately 20 miles due to fatigue and after returning to the Leaplish Park area he decided to run the closing section of the course and crossed the finish line in third place.

The third place award was rightfully given to Steven Cairns after Sloan’s cheating was confirmed.

The Kielder Marathon takes place in England (website).

[hat tip to Chuck ‘Marathonjunkie’ Engle]

Marathoner Amber Miller ran/walked the Chicago Marathon on Sunday in 6 hours and 25 minutes.  Rah, rah, congrats!

Then she gave birth to a baby girl, June Audra, just a few hours after finishing the race.  Miller started having contractions during the last miles of the marathon.

“I got the OK from my doctor to run half, and my husband ran with me and supported me along the way,” Miller told WGN-Channel 9 from her bed at Central DuPage Hospital. “I ran half and walked half, that’s how I finished.

Amber was 38 weeks and 5 days pregnant at the start of the Chicago Marathon.

Miller’s husband ran/walked the marathon with her but couldn’t keep up the last few miles and finished a short distance behind her.

“But I think just from running throughout the pregnancy, I’d usually get a contraction here or there anyway,” she said. “But then, a few minutes after I finished, I started feeling the contractions and they were coming every five minutes. So I think we waited an hour or so just to kind of make sure it was real labor. They were pretty consistent at that point.”

The worst thing that will happen from Miller’s ‘feat’ is that other women, that are addicted to running, will ignore the risks, doctor’s, and common sense in trying to do the same thing at future running events.  All women and all pregnancies aren’t equal.  I’d hate for anyone to lose a baby attempting such a selfish endeavor.

From the L.A. Times:

“Is this normal? Obviously not,” said James Pivarnik, a professor of kinesiology and epidemiology at the University at Michigan State University who wrote the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s most recent guidelines for physical activity during pregnancy.

But he said he applauds her doctor for allowing her do it. “Generally what we say is let the woman’s symptoms and history dictate what she can do,” he said. “She is obviously just one of those freaks who was able to do it. Most people wouldn’t want to.”

It’s vital, as athletes, to listen to our bodies and common sense when trying to reach our goals or finish a race.

In the same race, Will Caviness, a firefighter from North Carolina, died in the last 500 yards before the finish line.  Will was an experienced runner and marathoner.

Sermon aside, congrats to Amber and her husband on the birth of June.

Related Chicago Marathon Stories:

• RIF Condolences to Will Caviness Who Died During the Chicago Marathon
• 2011 Chicago Marathon Medal
• 2011 Chicago Marathon Results
• Elite Runners at the 2011 Chicago Marathon (list)

[photo: l.a. times]

Marathon running, like any extreme sport or life in general has its risks, today firefighter William ‘Will’ Caviness, from North Carolina, died while running the Chicago Marathon.

He was declared dead at a Chicago hospital after collapsing in the last 500 yards of the 26.2 mile race.

Caviness was running the Chicago Marathon to raise money for burn victims.  He had raised well over $2,000 before the race and donations have since reached over $3,400 since his passing.  You can still DONATE HERE!!

Asked what his family felt as the charity effort transformed instantly into a tragedy, his uncle, Bill Caviness of Tennessee, choked back tears and came up with one word.

“Disbelief,” he said.

“He was very fit, a tremendous runner.”

His death marked the first in the marathon since 2007, organizers said. Caviness’ death was the sixth fatality at the event since 1998, according to Tribune archives.

Our thoughts and prayers go out to his family in this time of grief and sadness.

Read LOTS MORE about the life of Will Caviness!

[image: facebook photo]

Several marathons and ultramarathons took place today but none bigger than the Chicago Marathon.  Here is the finisher’s medal from the 2011 Chicago Marathon.

“Let’s Run Together”

Congrats to all of the finishers today at the Chicago Marathon.

Top 10 Male and Female Finisher’s at the 2011 Chicago Marathon

[medal photo submitted by marathoner Mike Tully. You can follow him on twitter @mtulls.  Special thanks to @BhamAlex and @bobbiwilson for submitting photos as well.]

VIEW THE ENTIRE RUN IT FAST MEDAL CASE

Also See: 2011 Rock ‘n’ Roll Denver Marathon Medal

Here is the newly minted 2011 Rock ‘n’ Roll Denver Marathon medal from the race that took place today in the ‘Mile High City.’

Congrats to all of the finishers of the Rock ‘n’ roll Denver Marathon & 1/2 Marathon.

2011 Rock ‘n’ Roll Denver Marathon Results

[medal photo submitted by Scott Stader. You can follow him on twitter @scottstader]

VIEW THE ENTIRE RUN IT FAST MEDAL CASE

Also See: 2011 Chicago Marathon Medal

Here is a look at the list of all of the elite runners that will be running at the 2011 Chicago Marathon on Sunday, October 9, 2011 in Chicago, Illinois.

Many are looking at American Ryan Hall to put down a spectacular time and perhaps win it all after he set the U.S. marathon record earlier this year at the Boston Marathon.

RELATED: Ryan Hall Nude in ESPN’s ‘Bodies We Want 2011’ Issue

Check back on Sunday for results from the Chicago Marathon

We asked on Twitter (@runitfast) where you were running this weekend and 39 of you responded!

The most popular race this weekend is the flat and fast Chicago Marathon.  However, you guys are running some very cool races and training runs all over the globe this weekend.  Best of luck to all of you! Run It Fast!!!!

Joshua Holmes – @bayou – Short runs in prep for 4th 100 miler next weekend.

Sara – @sarakschroer – last longish run (taper week for full marathon on 10/16). 8mi planned along the SoCal shoreline!

Johnny Luciano – @RunJohnnyRun99 – disney xc classic

Lisa G. – @its_elleG – 8 mile training run for ING Miami

Brad Dulay – @braddulay – 20 Miler in James Morris Park during my trip to Suburbia

Humberto Vazquez – @jhvv99 – 10k Sportcity , San Pedro N.L. , México

Tracy Pellizzari – @pizzalarry – Portland Marathon!

Anders Edström – @anders_edstrom – #Sweden #Gävle tomorrow intervalls, sunday distance 10-15km

Rew Landells – @RewMdS – taking part in the Nottingham, Men’s Health Survival of the Fittest on Saturday, good bit of training and fun!

Alen Zelenika – @alenAdepto – Zagreb halfmarathon

Luciana Oliveira – @luciana_lf – in the Aclimacao park, Sao Paulo, Brasil.

Katie – @WillRace4Carbs – Denver Rock n Roll Half marathon!

Laura Raeder – @LauraRaeder – bloomingtom/normal IL

Massiel Sanmartin – @massielSm – Running 11 miles as part of 1/2marathon training around Turtle Creek Dallas Tx

Dwight Williams – @dwighty_boy – Chester marathon Sunday

Luciana Oliveira – @luciana_lf – At Aclimacao Park, Sao Paulo, Brazil.

Troy Eldredge – @troyeldredge – Army Ten Miler!

Dean – @deanlu1 – 15 miles on Saturday in Rehoboth Beach, DE.

Maureen Mackenzie – @memobe – Valley Harvest Marathon in Nova Scotia

Dana Flosi – @pixiedustgirl79 – Chicago Marathon!!

Ani – @goldylocks_a – running 10K Ashford, Kent.

Tim McWilliams – @timw95 – running the Portland Marathon in the rain.

Casey – @caseycanrun – Anthem Great Pumpkin 5K in Reston, VA

Ryan Price – @PTwebprofits – Regent Park, London!

Joseph House – @House_0911 – running Chicago Marathon

Susan Eastman – @FITchatblogger – Running at least 7-8 miles Saturday in Centerville MA area; kayaking on Sunday

Jamie Bodner – @PinnacleGym – running trails at Kennesaw Mtn, in Kennesaw GA lots of deer to spot and b-e-a-utiful weather!

Alexa B. Hüni – @maxcima – Running my first marathon in Munich on Sunday!!!

Leanne Burgess – @LeanneBurgess24 – Running on Sunday….. Liverpool Marathon !!

Affinity Home Design – @REMODELING_PDX – running the Portland marathon on Sunday.

Romana DL – @Romana40 – 10K race in Sant Andreu de la Barca #Barcelona #Spainhoping reach category podium W40-45 🙂

Frank S. – @WCPrairieBoy – the @VictoriaMarathn Sunday Oct. 9th

Seven Races – @7races42011 – last fast run on Sunday before the STWM on 16th! Resting & relaxing next week.

Lourdes Hagar – @lulihagar – #chicagomarathon

Mike Stout – @mikebstout – Prairie Fire Marathon in Wichita, KS!!!

Julie – @ROJRunning – Jack O Lantern Jog 5K. The best race in Akron, OH all year!

Robyn Wilson – @bobbiwilson – the chicago marathon!

GA Running Club – @GARunningClub – 10 for Texas (The Woodlands, TX) on Saturday!

Jessie O. – @AdkRunner – Windsor Vt for the @harpoon_brewery Oktober festival!

Lisa Gonzales – @runlikeacoyote – I’m hoping I’ll be able to run this weekend. If I do, it’ll just be in the neighborhood. Crossing my fingers.

Elite marathoner and devout Christian Ryan Hall is nude as can be in ESPN’s 2011 ‘Bodies We Want‘ issue.

In the photo, Hall is seen running nude through the woods while displaying his perfect form that led to his fastest U.S. marathon time ever at the 2011 Boston Marathon.

The issue often ruffles up feathers and creates controversy for the athletes included in the spreads.

I have to admit that Hall is one of the last athletes I expected to see baring all for the camera in the 2011 edition.

You can view Hall’s perfect naked running form through the woods HERE at ESPN (SFW).

You can view all of the 2011 ‘Bodies We Want’ photo spreads HERE at ESPN.

Other athletes including in the ‘Body Issue’ include: Hope Solo, Blake Griffin, Jose Reyes, Alicia Sacramone, Steven Jackson, Gretchen Bleiler, Zera Zvonareva, Belen Mozo, Sylvia Fowles, Natasha Hastings, Julie Chu, Jon Jones, Apolo Anton Ohno, Sergio Martinez, Ryan Kesler, Stephanie Gilmore, Jeremy Campbell, Suzy Hotrod, Kelly Kulick, Louie Vito, and Helio Castroneves.