Jennifer Heiner is a New Jersey-based professional who formerly served as the retail director of a high end running specialty store, where she was responsible for a variety of tasks, including inventory control, hiring associates, and more. During her time with the organization, Jennifer Heiner also helped host a variety of races. Before becoming involved with the running company, Ms. Heiner was involved with a variety of other firms, including Basking Ridge Animal Hospital, where she served as a client services coordinator. During this time, she helped maintain a busy team while also managing a variety of events at the hospital. Before starting her career, Ms. Heiner studied at Lehigh University, where she graduated with a bachelor of science in business administration and majored in marketing and economics. Throughout her career, she has also been involved in a variety of professional organizations, including the two major New York City running clubs and organizations. There, Jennifer works with runners and volunteers alike in a customer service role to ensure that their experience at races is the best it can possibly be.
An avid runner herself, Jennifer Heiner has been tasked with helping draft training tips for runners participating in some of the aforementioned organizations’ races. One thing to keep in mind when training for a race is the tangents and the course accuracy — whether it is a Half Marathon or a full 26.2.
There are also many important deadlines to remember when it comes to signing up for the World Marathon Majors, a collection of 6 (soon to be 7) international races. These include New York City, Chicago, Boston, London, Berlin and Tokyo. Up next on the world calendar is the Tokyo marathon on March 3, 2024.
There are many sources to gain information regarding these events, including the World Marathon Majors Challenge group on Facebook, moderated and curated by Robert Wang. He recently posted a great overview and timeline regarding important dates for each of the majors:
Feb. 17 to March 17 – virtual run window for virtual Tokyo Marathon for the individual and pairs categories. Registration deadline was Jan. 31. Finishers will be entered into a drawing for 100 2025 Tokyo Marathon entries.
Around Feb. 19 (I’m guessing based on past history) – announcement of 50 winners of 2025 Tokyo Marathon bibs – who were drawn from pool of nearly 2,900 5th virtual challenge finishers.
Feb. 21 – registration for those with guaranteed 2024 New York City Marathon entries begins on this date and ends March 21. It’s not clear yet when registration will be for those who got guaranteed entries by finishing the New York Road Runners Virtual 26.2 last October and November.
Feb. 28 – registration for 2024 New York City Marathon for lottery applicants begins on this date and ends March 21. Registration for non-guaranteed time qualifiers begins on this date and ends March 6. Whether non-guaranteed time qualifiers (did not run their qualifying half or marathon time in a New York Road Runners race) get in depends on how much they beat their standards and how much the number of applicants for each age group/gender exceeds the allocated number (not clear) of bibs for that age group/gender.
Feb. 29 (Japan time) – Tokyo Marathon expo opens on Leap Day. Expect massive queues and crowds for race merchandise when the expo opens at the Big Site.
March 3 (Japan time) – 2024 Tokyo Marathon
March – Boston Athletic Association probably will release bib numbers and corral assignments for the Boston Marathon on April 15.
Jennifer Heiner-Pisano 