Indy Classic

Is anyone planning to run the IU MIni Marathon on September 8th, since the ICM is postponed until November.

http://www.iumini.com

Ran the IU Mini last year- its a great event. This whole "McMarathon" situation in Indianapolis is pathetic. The man behind Foot Solutions is:::::::::::

Raymond J. Margiano, Ph.D., the CEO and founder of Foot Solutions, brings exceptional credentials to the business. He studied pedorthics at Temple University, and has spent over 20 years in the footwear and pedorthic industry. Before founding Foot Solutions, Margiano successfully built a 700+ store network of Heel Quik franchises in 34 countries.

::::::::

Ray Margiano worked for Dunkin Donuts. He would set up franchises. They have these franchise conventions where people sell concepts to sad saps who are tired of failing to work up the corporate ladder and want to own their "own business". My guess is this is a branchild of one of these conventions- and Indianapolis has been chosen to be the first location- unless this has already happened elsewhere.

Its revolting. It's depressing how hopelessly stupid so many people are. The course of Pedorthics at Temple is a weekend long course- its like a continuing ed deal.

Indianapolis is so suburbanized- even the downtown lacks any local flavor- most of the bars are chains. Someone has noticed this: and assumed people will go nuts over this. Its an insult to Indiana. Makes you want to grab a coffee at the Cornerstone instead of a Venti at Castleton.

srlopez - I feel your pain. I paid for airfare for four people. Hotel and rental car cancels are easy, but you usually get burned on airfare.

I will be requesting a refund as well, let's see what happens...

Sorry to say it, but this reflects very poorly on both myself for ignoring the red flags on that pathetic excuse of a web site, and also on the city of Indianapolis for allowing this group of cretins to operate. Embarrassing for all, I would say.

As a 50-stater I will have to go to Indiana eventually, but I have a very bitter taste in my mouth right now about this particular city. The other race - the reputable one - has good reviews at marathonguide.com, so maybe... but doubtful.

BTW, I called Sue Bozgoz (the recently added Event Coordinator) last week because I was already suspicious of this event. She seemed very reasonable and responsible and assured me the event would be happening. I got the impression that the original crew was way over their heads, but help was coming. Not soon enough, it seems.

Sigh... it could have been worse...

Cra-zy stuff here... no way they have 12,000 running it, unless they've comp'd a bunch of dead people. Original story about going for 40k was hilarious... sure does make you want to believe what the newspaper puts out. Looks like a good job by all!

Small article in this morning's Indy

Star just parroted the official line about "City requesting the change due to other events." Total BS almost for sure. A little disappointing that the Star is not doing any investigating and editorializing on this whole sad issue.

Follow up comment..... I simply do no not believe that 11,000 marathon registrants #. It would be illuminating to get that documented.

I like how the new article mentions the "threat of warmer-than-expected temperatures make the original date unfeasible". Wasn't the potential for heat the reason they were starting the race at 7am? Don't they realize that early Sept in Indy is always very hot and humid? So now suddenly it's too hot...

Let me offer the possibility, just a possibility, no more, that all these BS reasons being offered are a huge pack of lies, and the REAL reason is the actual registration #'s have been disastrous ?

Nothing would surprise me with this anymore. I know a couple people on this thread have indicated they planned to run. I searched over on runnersworld's message board and found a few others who said they were doing it. I surely don't see a large group of people talking about doing it, which seems to reinforce your suspicions.

As a hoosier- I feel terrible for the out-of-towners. Not so much for the moron locals.

That doesn't make sense actually. If there were fewer runners then they would at least be able to handle the capacity and there would not be the logistical problems.

I tend to believe the city reviewed their logistics and could not approve them/did not have capacity and really did ask them to postpone.

MarathonMind wrote:

That doesn't make sense actually. If there were fewer runners then they would at least be able to handle the capacity and there would not be the logistical problems.

I tend to believe the city reviewed their logistics and could not approve them/did not have capacity and really did ask them to postpone.

This is what I was talking about earlier. People who know this stuff know that there is a 99% chance that is a bunch of BS. You are required to sit down with the city, fill out permits, have meetings, etc. months in advance. They said they were expecting 40,000 people. Regardless if there is 4 runners or 40,000, the duty of the city- i.e. traffic control- stays relatively the same.

I'm sad.

trailrunner64 wrote:

Small article in this morning's Indy

Star just parroted the official line about "City requesting the change due to other events." Total BS almost for sure. A little disappointing that the Star is not doing any investigating and editorializing on this whole sad issue.

A Star reporter contacted me today so I think they will be doing a story on this. I will direct him to this thread and the other one on the marathon so feel free to voice your concerns here.

You all were onto how incompetent these people were months ago.

It would be nice if the Star actually asked some tough questions instead of another powder puff piece that is basically free PR for a failing venture. For example:

- The event was announced as being able to support 40,000 runners, and a permit was issued based on this. If this is the case, why do the marathon organizers state that they are overwhelmed with 12,000, and they never expected so many?

- They supposedly had millions of dollars in sponsorship money -- who are the sponsors, and where are they now? Why couldn't some of this money be spent to alleviate the supposed medical issue by paying off-duty professionals to work?

- The city issued a permit for 9/8. Why is the marathon blaming the city now that the event isn't happening? Did the city cancel the permit, and if so, why? Or did the marathon simply not have enough resources to do the race, and requested a new permit for 11/3, and blames the city for their lack of preparedness?

- The event was scheduled during a known hot time of the year, and as such a 7:00 start time was announced. Why are they now saying heat is a factor?

- Basically, the reasons given for moving the event sound bogus. Get to the bottom of it and perhaps others won't be burned.

The Star has updated their story. Here's the latest reason given for the postponement:

"The postponement came after organizers on Monday told the city they were not able to meet terms outlined in the special event permit and also had no contingency plan in case of inclement weather."

I would like to know whether or not full reimbursements to registered runners will be guaranteed both:

1. If they are unable to make the new date

or

2. If the event should be canceled.

I will admit it - I am totally skeptical about this race and remain relatively convinced that it is a scam to bilk people out of money. I want assurances that all people who paid registration fees will be reimbursed if the race organizers decide not to run the race at all.

What is USATF's association with this race. That is a pretty big smear on their face for this to happen. For such a large sanctioning body (which is housed in Indy) to have their name associated with such an event, you'd think they would have had someone "bird-dogging" the organizer/promoter to keep them on the right track.

Surely someone at the USATF could have warned the ICM organizers that 40,000 entrants was laughable at best. The "Mini" in May has only hit 30,000+ the past three years, and if they kept that registration open it would probably just drip over 40,000. But it has been going on for 35 years. The Indy Marathon/Mini in October has been going on for 10+ years and they drae only around 1200 participants in 3 events. The IU mini is the same.

Plus they were planning on starting this event downtown at the corner of Meridian & Washigton going North. With narrow sidewalks, and high rise buildings on each side of the street the start corrals would push clear down past South Street, easily. Any random entrant could plan on a GOOD 30 minute walk before even sniffing the start line and then the utter congestion from there would go North clear up past Michigan or NewYork street. Can you imagine the bottleneck trying to get around Monument Circle.

A circus at best.

Sue,

I am very happy to hear that you are the one taking over this mess, you might be the only person who can salvage something from it.

Funny how you mention the local running community being upset - how do you think out of state runners feel? We have just been screwed over for airfare, scheduling and training due to the date change. Heck, the local runners have it easier IMO. I will NEVER run this race, or spend a single tourist dollar in Indianapolis. Ha ha, I will even be rooting against the Colts this year! Not your fault, I know, but...

I wish you all the best, good luck and God bless!

Not as distinguished as you but still a veteran,

Darryl

What about those of us from OUTSIDE the local running community?

The one who have laid down big bucks to come to Indianapolis?

Even though the website looked shady, I took a chance.

I lost.

Do not expect to draw people from outside the local area by treating us the way you have.