One solution would be to hold a lottery for spots.

Agree on all fronts.  Lottery is the way to go.  That's what the NYC Marathon has done for decades and it's fair.  Got closed out of tri last year.  22 minutes before being sold out.  This year, I had the whole family (kids and all) lined up at three computers hitting all the right buttons (we're talking teenage kids here).  And we were repeatedly told system was busy.  7 minutes to being sold out!  Maybe it's trading one form of luck for another, but I never felt that the NYC Marathon sucked.  Very disappointing.  Note to race directors: talk to the marathon directors and give it some thought!!!

I too was frustrated trying frantically to get through.  Finally, got through twice within 5 minutes, filled out all the information, credit card, etc., submitted it and waited, waited until it brought up a 'System Error" both times.  The third time I got through, it was for the Champion entry  which is $500!  There was no 'system errorr' when I submitted this registration. 

I just checked (almost two hours later) and the Champion entry is still available.  I've come to the conclusion they don't make many regular $245 entry spots available to the public because they want to sell the $500 entries.  After all, it's a business right??????

This is true.  USAT members get an opportunity for early registration -- sounds like it sold out in 4 hours versus the incredible 20 minutes with general registration.  You can also volunteer for the NYC tri to receive the early registration window the following year.  I believe the Jackrabbit triathlon store in New York still has spots available.  You'll need to pay the $245 registration fee and roughly $200-$250 (not 100% sure) as part of the training package that goes with it.  Not bad if you consider 6+ months of coaching catering to your big race.  Good luck everyone.  At the end of the day it's just a race and there are plenty more out there, in NYC included, that won't be as crowded!!  Check out www.nytc.org

I agree. It should totally be lottery now! They have made their point! Fastest race to close out ever!! Wow, that sounds more like a Springsteen concert. Not a triathlon. I stayed up late on NYC marathon eve to be shut out (lol!!!), when the reality probably was we all had a shot of 1 in a million anyway. It should be done more fairly!!! This having "VIP" spots sucks!!! It makes for an elitist attitude.

USAT members get a chance to sign up early and it is very fair.  Me and 3 others..all at seperate houses and computers, all got in just fine.  Why would any triathlete not be a USAT member anyways?  Esp if it's about $$  You have to pay $10 extra per race anyways if you don't have USAT and it's only like $40 for the year.  A little cheaper than a $500 VIP spot.  It's not that getting in is IMPOSSIBLE, it's just that it's much easier to not do what you need to do to get in and then complain about how unfair it is.  Ridiculous.

Got lucky and got an entry. I got a few server busy errors but kept on trying until i was able to complete the application. Can't wait.