If I sell enough Girl Scout cookies....

[Jon Adams]

....would that gain me entry into the Boston Marathon??

Okay, let's hear it, how do you feel about allowing "charity" entries into the race.....without hitting a qualifying time?
Personally I'm against it. There are PLENTY of other marathons around where you can gain entry by raising money for a charity. One of the things that makes Boston special IMO is the fact that not just anyone can enter, although they've relaxed the standards so much that now almost anyone can enter . Let's not further dilute the quality of the field by giving "spots" that would normally go to an actual qualified entrant to someone who raised money to gain their entry.
Just my .02

[Kenny Pfeiffer]

Read LetsRun much? I am against charity spots at Boston, but feel like the standards are not that relaxed. I mean, I could see making them 3:00 but 3:10 is by no means slow. Geez Jon!

[Ali Stevens]

I'm all for charity spots at marathons. I think it is a fantastic way of fundraising. However, I have to agree with Jon and Kenny that they should NOT be used at Boston.

[Jon Adams]

Jun 9, 2010 11:52:23 GMT -5 Kenny Pfeiffer said:

Read LetsRun much? I am against charity spots at Boston, but feel like the standards are not that relaxed. I mean, I could see making them 3:00 but 3:10 is by no means slow. Geez Jon!

No, I agree with you in regards to the "younger" guys such as yourself, but a guy my age only has to run a 3:35. I think they should tighten up the standards for the higher age groups a little.

[rozzie]

Well I might be 80 when I get there, but one day I will get to Boston. (Dern it!) Someone asked me why I work so hard at it, when I could just get a charity spot. That way I could "experience the event, because who knows how much longer you have in life."

Well my answer to that is, qualifying for Boston is the majority of the experience--or would be to me. I want the whole slice of pie or no pie.

[Jon Adams]

Atta girl Roz!! .....and you WILL make it to Boston!!