Starting today sponsors have a second option to support the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society by purchasing individual tickets to the marathon pool. Each $10 ticket comes with a chance to win actual cash and official TNT running gear. First and second-place finishers win 25% and 15%, respectively, of the overall pool. Third through fifth-place finishers win a choice of prizes that include running gear, caps and sports accessories. All of the remaining funds go directly to LLS.

Contest rules are simple. The goal is to predict my 2010 marathon time. (It’s slightly more scientific than guessing the number of jelly beans in a glass jar.) Winning times will be chosen in descending order of distance from the official time posted on the New York Marathon’s Web site.

My official time from 2009 was 3:58:57, and the goal this year is to break 3:48. The jackpot amount will be periodically updated in future posts, and a final list of pool entries will be posted one day before the race. Contestants may have their names withheld from the final list. Payments are accepted through cash, check or PayPal accounts and tickets are not tax deductable.

Please feel free to make a separate tax-deductable contribution to LLS by clicking on a link below.

Thank you and good luck, -Eric Baum