6,600 hopefuls lose out in Broad Street Run lottery

The confirmation e-mails arrived early Tuesday, while the snow still fell, and thousands of credit cards were charged $43. Those coveted bibs - 40,000 in all - for the annual Broad Street Run were distributed through a lottery. Now, for the not-so-lucky, the chase for a spot in the May 3 race begins.

Organizers of the largest 10-mile race in the country denied more than ever: About 6,600 entrants lost a chance to run from Broad and Somerville Avenue in Logan to the Navy Yard.

"It was higher again this year," race director Jim Marino said. "We anticipated it to a certain extent."

Last year, race officials rejected 4,800 hopefuls.

The bib black market formed hours after the e-mails were sent.

By 5 p.m., 21 ads were posted to Craigslist. One buyer offered $100 for a bib. A seller, sensing the brisk desperation, advertised a bib for $200.

Race officials threaten those who overcharge for a bib with banishment from future races. Is it enforceable?

"We continue to monitor it," Marino said. "If we see something crazy, we're inclined to turn it over to law enforcement."

Organizers encourage transfers through the race website's message board beginning March 1. There is a $15 transfer fee.

Runners who lost the lottery can register as a charity runner, but must raise at least $500 to join those teams.

In addition, race officials announced that NBC10 and Telemundo62 would broadcast the entire race live for the first time in its 36-year history.