We're pleased to announce that the 2010 Hopkinton Hop will be the largest in its apocryphal history, 400% above 2009, representing two nations (albeit one continent). But this increase in attention has led us to implement a strict set of rules of dis-qualification to ensure the character of this venerable event. "The surprisingly early closure of the Boston Marathon has really overwhelmed us this year," said Matt Hagen, director of the Hop. "We're carefully screening applicants to ensure that the character of our race isn't lost." Potential Hoppers will have to show that they either can't qualify for Boston, didn't bother, lost the paperwork, or otherwise just forgot to register. Or that they just really want to run with us. Or run the double. Or can't find anything good on TV that morning. Or got lost and started following along. "Uh... yeah. When you start thinking about it I guess it's pretty much wide-open," said Hagen. "But no 5K!" Unless they want to drop. Or stop at a bar. Or get a ride home. Or pretty much anything else. |