And the winner is....
And the winner is....
Aren't there a lot of Hanson athletes running Boston this year?
Nice analysis... I hope it's correct.
HEJ wrote:
Aren't there a lot of Hanson athletes running Boston this year?
Nice analysis... I hope it's correct.
The analysis hinges on the time of year thing. But I am strongly in favor of a spring trails and assume most athletes would be as well.
Yeah, I agree. I am not saying I hope you're correct meaning "YOU'D better be!"... more like "That would be my preference and thought process as well."
Makes sence to me.
Thanks for the update Wejo. You provide an amazing service. Thanks for attempting to get to the bottom of all this. Boston would be great, especially for those of us concerned that NYC wouldn't be enough time to get a qualifier (extreme fringe "qualifiers"). I wonder what they would do for a course or what day it would be on? They COULD do it the same day before the noon start time. So many questions...
That's an interesting article and nice thorough analysis. I hope it's Boston or NY, preferably Boston. Akron's probably a great host but it won't command any attention. Minor league cities are just that.
God I hope your right about Boston. As an "extreme fringe" qualifier hopeful the extra time is huge. Plus the though of putting in all that work to qualify only to run loops of Central Park at the trials (not to knock Central Park, but I've run that loop hundreds of times already), and not even on the same day as the actual NYC marathon, was really a downer. The though of running the trials in Boston however is just awesome and a huge motivation. I've always wanted to run Boston, but if I'm going to have any chance of the OT qualifier I'm going to have stick to the pancake flat dragstrip courses. With the OT's at Boston qualifying turns into a double bonus.
Wherever they do it they should do it on a crit course, not the Boston or NYC course. Crit courses allows for more spectator involvment and I think would be more media friendly. Now I just have to drop 11+ minutes from my pr..:)
Alan
If New York is not selected, then I believe a public apology is in order from every single person who besmirched the good name of Mary Wittenberg and the NYRRC. I could really care less who wins the bid (although, in the interest of full disclosure, I live in the greater NYC area), but I find it shameful that so many anonymous posters would trash the very organization that has a devoted so much time, effort, and money for attempting to rejuvenate the elite running scene in the US.
I also find it exceedingly curious that the majority (but by no means all) of those who complained about the possibility of holding the trials in NY have absolutely no chance of either making the trials standard or ultimately making the team. I guess some people just want/need something to complain about irrespective of whether it directly impacts them.
Prof. Rob M.
Runningart2004 wrote:
Wherever they do it they should do it on a crit course, not the Boston or NYC course. Crit courses allows for more spectator involvment and I think would be more media friendly. Now I just have to drop 11+ minutes from my pr..:)
Alan
They can't have it on the Boston course, it's not "legal".
Thanks for the analysis Wejo. It's good to see who was really in the mix as far as having a voice. It's nice to know there were quite a few top athletes, past and current, involved.
Why is Pat Goodwin listed as a coach, though? She gives tons of her time and does all the behind the scenes work for Team USA Minnesota, but she isn't their coach any more than Theo Epstien is the Red Sox coach.
Perhaps I missed something in the wejo analysis... is this the scenario/bid from Boston?:
Paper: Boston Herald (MA)
Title: BAA eyes '08 U.S. trials
Date: November 11, 2004
The Boston Marathon is already a massive undertaking, a region-wide effort that produces international sporting drama.
But the Boston Athletic Association decided it wanted more on its plate, which is why it and the city are teaming up to lure the 2008 Olympic Marathon Trials to the Hub.
Officials are preparing an ambitious proposal that could see Boston host the men's or women's - or both - trials on the weekend before the Monday of Patriots Day in just under four years. The dates are April 19-20, 2008.
BAA president Guy Morse is excited about the prospect of hosting three elite, 26.2-mile footraces over a three-day span.
"We believe Boston really deserves a shot at showcasing the best American athletes as they strive to make the Olympics, and the opportunity seems to present itself for 2008," Morse said yesterday.
He said he has spoken with Mayor Thomas Menino, who apparently is enthused about the effort.
Menino said in a statement, "It would be an honor to host the 2008 U.S. Marathon Trials in Boston, home to the oldest and one of the most prestigious annual marathons in the world."
The BAA-Boston proposal to USA Track & Field, the sport's national governing body, has been developed over several years. In the past, Boston has served as a "selection race" for the Olympic marathon, but not since the governing body has gone to single Trials sites.
The 2004 men's trials were held in Birmingham, Ala., in February, while the women's race was in St. Louis in April.
Meb Keflezighi, a transplanted Eritrean, took the silver medal for the U.S. at the Athens Olympics, while Waltham native Deena (Drossen) Kaston earned bronze in the women's race.
The top three finishers of the 2008 Trials will earn the chance - provided they meet the Olympic qualifying standard - to represent the United States at the Summer Olympics in Beijing, when China debuts as an Olympic host nation.
With the site selection process still in its earliest stages, BAA officials are leaving any proposed course configurations wide open.
USA Track & Field's long-distance running committee will not have its criteria finalized until the end of the year or January.
But since the Americans would be looking to put up the fastest times possible, organizers would stay away from the legendary Newton hills; rather, a flat, multiple-loop course in the city proper is being discussed. A loop design would also give spectators more than one chance to watch the runners pass.
In addition, officials feel a start/finish on Boylston Street in the Copley Square area would be especially attractive for everyone.
Organizers will use the argument that with BAA Marathon systems and infrastructures already in place - everything from grandstands and viewing areas to medical facilities, hotels and transportation - Boston in April would be a natural.
"We feel this effort has strong support locally," Morse added. "Given the fact that the world running press will be here for the Boston Marathon, and that we have the most knowledgeable spectators in the world, we think this event could provide a great opportunity for both the athletes and the city."
Copyright 2004 Boston Herald
108TH BOSTON MARATHON
Trials may be added in 2008
Boston Herald
April 16, 2004
Author: JOHN CONNOLLY
Estimated printed pages: 2
Boston could be in for a mega-marathon weekend in 2008: Try three marathon races on three consecutive days.
The Herald has learned that under the ambitious plan being explored by organizing officials from the Boston Athletic Association, the overseer of the fabled 108-year-old event, Boston would submit separate bids to USA Track & Field in a quest to attract both the U.S. men's and women's Olympic marathon trials for the Games in Beijing, China, later that year.
Officials from USATF could not be reached last night for comment.
Sources said former BAA president Frank B. Porter Jr. is the driving force behind the plan.
One theory would be to hold the men's trials on Saturday, the women's race on Sunday and the Boston Marathon on Monday, April21, 2008.
The plan would entail at least two separate race courses, since Boston's course is not in compliance with Rule 185 of the Competition Rules for Athletics.
Under that rule, "the start and finish of the race must lie no more than 30 percent of the race distance apart as measured along the straight line between them."
"It wouldn't necessarily be on Patriots Day," Boston Marathon race director Dave McGillivray said of the plan. "It could be a couple of days leading up to it. The trials could potentially be on a Saturday-Sunday leading up to the Monday race. You would still have the people's race, or what have you, on Monday. Maybe, three (races)."
McGillivray recently helped direct the U.S. women's trials in St. Louis.
"What that ends up being remains to be seen," McGillivray said.
"I think what they saw they were pleased with and I personally hope they stick with that same format, which would mean various cities that are interested would bid on the trials and they would send out a site selection committee and interview the management group, and the local organizing committee and look at the course and ultimately make a decision on which venue."
Yes its not the Boston marathon. The race would be on a loop course the day before the Boston Marathon I believe.
Its too bad that Akron is only 3 years old, and hasn't gotten it's A-1 reputation out even further.The race is relatively new, and its great reviews can only grow so quick. Though the 'other' cities may have cash- once they have landed the trials race-it will simply be lost as just another race in that community. This trials bid is not the last to be heard from by the Akron race people. Sometimes it is better to date the pretty girl in the neighborhood, and not the supermodel.
Wejo,
Do you know if the process was the same for the Women's Trials Site selection?
Although the time line is slightly different, I can attest to the fact that the info from Glenn is indeed correct, as he sent me the same information this past summer. Selecting the site is a long and difficult process with far too many hurdles to rush the choice. I am not privy to the actual bids so I do not have an opinion as to which would be the best choice. It would seem that Glenn's outline would suggest that the process is indeed fair and should end some of the pointed criticism
justsomegirl wrote:
Wejo,
Do you know if the process was the same for the Women's Trials Site selection?
I don't know if it is the same process and perhaps I got it wrong. I just got an email from someone else who lives in NY and involved in the running community and all it said was "Nyc(men) and boston(women)..........end of story"
So maybe I'm wrong. I hope not because I think 90% of men marathoners would prefer to have the race in the spring and it seems like if input was solicited that would rule out NY. But if the men's and women's bids are coordinated somehow then it would seem that Boston could not get both men and women.
That NYC tip, if it proves to be true, would be unfortunate in that it sets up entirely different training/racing scenarios for men and women.
My wife, in a way, likes the Fall race because it would allow her to train throughout the summer and fall in a way that isn't possible in our harsh northern winter.
I have no real shot at getting a Trials qualifier for the marathon. If it's in Boston, can I get in if I raise enough money for charity?