Wait-listed for a race.
#1
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Wait-listed for a race.
I was off on a backpacking trip when registration opened for the tour of Walla Walla, and by the time got back, it was full. I registered as an alternate anyway as I knew I hadn’t missed it by much and it said I was #3 on the waiting list. That was a few months ago, and I still haven’t received a spot in the race. I normally work on Sundays, so I already requested the time off. Most every race I’ve done Has a few DNS people on the results list, so I’m debating whether or not I should just drive to the race, an see if I can get in the day of, or find something else to do with my weekend. I kind of doubt that 20 minutes before the race they start looking around for alternates to fill spots for people who didn’t show up and I don’t want to waste my weekend hanging around the staging area and never getting to race. The race is a week from now; I doubt anyone who hasn’t deregistered by this time is going to do so.
Has anyone had experience with this? Do many people pull out in the last week, do they let alternates in to replace no-shows the morning of the race or should I just move on?
Has anyone had experience with this? Do many people pull out in the last week, do they let alternates in to replace no-shows the morning of the race or should I just move on?
#2
ɹǝʇsɯıʇ
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Most of the time the waitlist is handled on the day of the race, after normal checkin closes. I don't think I've ever gone from the waitlist to confirmed before the day of, even if people cancel their registration.
Lets say the field has a max size of 100. If only 90 people checked in on the day of the race, and checkin closes at 9:30 AM, they would usually start calling off names from the wait list at 9:30. Those no-shows could have been people who cancelled their registration ahead of time, or just decided not to show up. First 10 people from the waitlist (based on registration order) who are present get to race.
Being 3rd on the waitlist gives you a good chance to get in the race. Basically it means that at most, 3 pre-registered people have to not show up. If the 2 people in front of you on the waitlist don't show up, only 1 pre-registered person has to not show up.
Go to the race, suit up, warm up, be prepared to race. Normally they do waitlist about 10 minutes before the start of the race, so you won't know if you're in until the last minute.
Lets say the field has a max size of 100. If only 90 people checked in on the day of the race, and checkin closes at 9:30 AM, they would usually start calling off names from the wait list at 9:30. Those no-shows could have been people who cancelled their registration ahead of time, or just decided not to show up. First 10 people from the waitlist (based on registration order) who are present get to race.
Being 3rd on the waitlist gives you a good chance to get in the race. Basically it means that at most, 3 pre-registered people have to not show up. If the 2 people in front of you on the waitlist don't show up, only 1 pre-registered person has to not show up.
Go to the race, suit up, warm up, be prepared to race. Normally they do waitlist about 10 minutes before the start of the race, so you won't know if you're in until the last minute.
#3
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Thanks, That's what I needed to hear... I guess I'm going to the race.
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I raced last year and am registered for this year at Walla Walla. I think last year, registration filled up in 30 minutes online (for lowly cat 5 with a 50 limit).
Registration seemed to fill up day of this year as well (I actually made it a point to register while overseas knowing this).
That being said, I think last year we had a few DNS, and they were not replaced by waiting list people. Partly because, people arent willing to drive the 4 or 5 hours from Seattle to see if they 'made it'. If it were an hour drive for me, and I was in your position, I would definitely show up.
What cat are you signed up for? keep in mind, there will likely be fewer no shows for the cat 5, as the limit is much lower. One teammate of mine accidentally double registered as a 4.... and I know he is getting refunded.... so that may be one of the spots already.
One futher complication.... is I think walla walla has some policy where you can actually register a set number of spots for your team (you pay an additional fee).... some teams then fail to fill all of these spots (Im told there was some disgruntled racers as one team bought up quite a few spots, then no showed on the event... leaving the field quite a bit smaller).
Its a fun stage race... but am told they swapped friday/sunday road courses... and the one on sunday this year is a bit more challenging...
Registration seemed to fill up day of this year as well (I actually made it a point to register while overseas knowing this).
That being said, I think last year we had a few DNS, and they were not replaced by waiting list people. Partly because, people arent willing to drive the 4 or 5 hours from Seattle to see if they 'made it'. If it were an hour drive for me, and I was in your position, I would definitely show up.
What cat are you signed up for? keep in mind, there will likely be fewer no shows for the cat 5, as the limit is much lower. One teammate of mine accidentally double registered as a 4.... and I know he is getting refunded.... so that may be one of the spots already.
One futher complication.... is I think walla walla has some policy where you can actually register a set number of spots for your team (you pay an additional fee).... some teams then fail to fill all of these spots (Im told there was some disgruntled racers as one team bought up quite a few spots, then no showed on the event... leaving the field quite a bit smaller).
Its a fun stage race... but am told they swapped friday/sunday road courses... and the one on sunday this year is a bit more challenging...
#7
VeloSIRraptor
yep - the Sunday RR this year is quite a bit more challenging, but doesn't have a summit finish.
So, interesting story - I am guessing you are a cat4/5?
A friend of mine is #4 on the wait list, and we have a guy on our team who isn't going to make it because of a funeral that just came up. We tried to transfer the spot today, but they said no... so there will be at least a few spots (two that we've heard about in this thread already) open up.
If you are #3, I think your chances are really, really good of getting in.
So, interesting story - I am guessing you are a cat4/5?
A friend of mine is #4 on the wait list, and we have a guy on our team who isn't going to make it because of a funeral that just came up. We tried to transfer the spot today, but they said no... so there will be at least a few spots (two that we've heard about in this thread already) open up.
If you are #3, I think your chances are really, really good of getting in.
#10
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summit finish.... although we only had to go over that climb once at speed.... but it really was not even close to grueling.
Anyhow... the TT start lists are up. You can count how full the cats are. I know one of our cat 4s is a no show and is listed on the TT start.
Anyhow... the TT start lists are up. You can count how full the cats are. I know one of our cat 4s is a no show and is listed on the TT start.