Race-Day Mistakes That Cost a BQ
Plenty of runners arrive fit enough to qualify and still miss. The reasons are usually avoidable.
The usual suspects
- Going out too fast. The single biggest cause of late-race collapse. Hold goal effort in the first 10 km.
- Under-fueling. Skipping carbohydrate early leads to a fade you cannot reverse. Fuel on a schedule from the start.
- Ignoring the weather. Heat slows everyone. Adjust the goal on a hot day rather than blowing up chasing an unrealistic time.
- Choosing the wrong course. A hilly or poorly supported race makes a thin buffer even harder.
- No buffer plan. Aiming exactly at the standard leaves no room for the cutoff. Aim under it.
Plan your buffer before you pick a race. The predictor shows how much margin recent cutoffs demanded.
Frequently asked questions
Why do fit runners miss their BQ?
Most often from going out too fast, under-fueling, or aiming exactly at the standard with no buffer for the cutoff.
How do I avoid blowing up in a marathon?
Even pacing, fueling on a schedule, and adjusting for heat. Save the effort for the final 10 km.