L O T O J A Classic?
Is anyone planning or registered to do the LOTOJA Classic on 9/6? I've been browsing the website and am tempted to give it a whirl, but I don't want to go it alone.
By the looks of the website, I'm guessing registration is full, but I got all the way through the registration process to the point that it was asking for my credit card, so maybe they're still letting people in.
Any other takers willing to give this a shot and provide a wheel I can suck on?
Lottery in 2008
It was changed to a lottery this year for all first and second time racers. I was planning on riding it as a relay with Nate, Trent and a couple others, but I guess Trent was just informed via email that we were NOT chosen and are OUT. That sucks. Apparently the demand was just insane and the first come first serve for sign ups just wasn't working for them. Only 33% of all the registrations are allocated to 1st & 2nd time riders now.
Mark got in with his brother
They heard that you could bump up your chances by signing up the right way -- maybe there's something to it?
right/wrong
So what is the "right" way?
We need Mark to chime in here...
Is it really random, or can you bump up your chances somehow? I think he threw some money into a charity fund, registered as an organized team, etc. I don't remember the whole recipe, but it might be worth hearing. (Not that I want to try it this year -- maybe next year!)
Found this with google...
...maybe something like this I found mentioned on some blog comments would work.
"One way to guarantee a spot in the race is to register for the Huntsman Cancer Institute fundraiser.
Raise $850 (beg for a few bucks from each of your friends) and you are in -- free of charge."
Give them money
Yeah, I got in with my brother. We are second-time riders. We found out about the guaranteed entry by raising money for Huntsman Cancer Institute after it was too late. We still agreed to raise money, though, and told the race organizer we were doing so. We also donated an extra $25 or so with our registration. I'm pretty certain it's not a truly "random" lottery, and I can't imagine that the fact that we are raising money for their charity partners without getting the free entry that usually goes along with it didn't make a difference.
And since you've given me a perfect introduction, I'll make a shameless plug asking all of you to make a donation, however small, to the Huntsman Cancer Foundation. I toured the Institute last week when I was in Utah, and what they are doing in the battle against cancer is remarkable. Donating online is quick, easy, secure, and tax-deductible. Go to http://www.active.com/donate/lotoja08/malbrec131.
Thanks!
For future reference, you need to enter the lottery as soon as it opens. They had it open this year for one week and then sent out confirmations four weeks later. Your best chances for getting in are to either 1) raise money (these spots are limited, however, so you need to act fast to get those) or 2) race as a Cat 1/2, as this heat is the slowest to fill. More motivation to race hard and upgrade your license, right? :)
mark
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