2016 Olympic Marathon Trials Athlete Review

Olympic Trials Athlete wrote:

Nickel and Dime wrote:

As a EAQ for a major race, I find it humorous that so many athletes are complaining about "nickels and dimes". THEY DO ADD UP. There is a certain level of entitlement from sub elite runners.

When Meb ran our race his flight came in early and his shuttle was not at the airport when he arrived. He took a cab and I never heard about it. He later sent me a letter and a t-shirt and thanked me for the hospitality.

A similar thing happened to an athlete that finished 14th at the race and he called and yelled at the driver and then showed up and had a bitchfest in the lobby of the hotel.

Elite runners are thankful but the group right behind them always look for things to complain about. We have stopped inviting the second wave and my job is much more fun.

I'm sorry you have had that experience with "sub" elites. If you read my original post I did mention several positive things about the race. A lot of well run races will actually ask for this feedback voluntarily. I find your post to be a rather broad generalization. I have a great relationship with several race directors. I always ask what things I can do to help their race, and I often send thank you cards post race. Why is it wrong to want a shirt? I said I would have gladly paid for it. The Boston Marathon is a race you have to qualify for. People line up to pay for jackets, t-shirts anything that says Boston. Why do I have to be so cool that I don't want a keep sake from the biggest race I will ever run? It's real easy to say your generation is soft and a bunch of whiners, but you do not know me. You do not know my struggles, and my life. If you actually read my OP, and you were at the race you would know what I wrote was more than fair and actually gave more credit to the race then they deserved.

LA trials fanboy wrote:

Olympic Trials Athlete wrote:

I'm sorry you have had that experience with "sub" elites. If you read my original post I did mention several positive things about the race. A lot of well run races will actually ask for this feedback voluntarily. I find your post to be a rather broad generalization. I have a great relationship with several race directors. I always ask what things I can do to help their race, and I often send thank you cards post race. Why is it wrong to want a shirt? I said I would have gladly paid for it. The Boston Marathon is a race you have to qualify for. People line up to pay for jackets, t-shirts anything that says Boston. Why do I have to be so cool that I don't want a keep sake from the biggest race I will ever run? It's real easy to say your generation is soft and a bunch of whiners, but you do not know me. You do not know my struggles, and my life. If you actually read my OP, and you were at the race you would know what I wrote was more than fair and actually gave more credit to the race then they deserved.

You use Boston as an example. Let me tell you how it is for a regular runner.

1) I have to pay for a race to qualify for Boston. It's my sole responsibility to make sure the course is certified. I have a full time job, family as well. also, in case you don't know most races are more than $100.

2) Then if I qualify for Boston, I have to be fast enough to register early enough. If I qualify but am not fast enough, I sit at home.

3) Boston charges average runners $180...just to register. If I get sick or injured. I'm out the $$. I get no course preview, no special anything. I'm guaranteed anything if the race wants to change something at the last minute. (and they do from start times to headphone rules to water stops)

4) Boston hotels jack up the price during the race weekend. many times going well above $400. Including requiring multiple night stays.

5) in addition to the hotel, I have to cover the cost of everything. From shoes to transportation.

6) Before the race. I have to get up 5+ hours before the race just to get transportation. If it rains, I get wet, If it's cold, I freeze, if it's hot I bake.

So, yeah I get a shirt, but I pay $180 for the right to get that shirt. Boston attracts 20,000+ runners. so it's a big market for them.

and that's one of the better marathons. So to listen to you and Patrick Rizzo complain, it's really hard to feel sorry for you.

My friend said "I don't get any special treatment for showing up to work everyday, some days are good and some are tough but that is life.

LA trials fanboy wrote:

Olympic Trials Athlete wrote:

I'm sorry you have had that experience with "sub" elites. If you read my original post I did mention several positive things about the race. A lot of well run races will actually ask for this feedback voluntarily. I find your post to be a rather broad generalization. I have a great relationship with several race directors. I always ask what things I can do to help their race, and I often send thank you cards post race. Why is it wrong to want a shirt? I said I would have gladly paid for it. The Boston Marathon is a race you have to qualify for. People line up to pay for jackets, t-shirts anything that says Boston. Why do I have to be so cool that I don't want a keep sake from the biggest race I will ever run? It's real easy to say your generation is soft and a bunch of whiners, but you do not know me. You do not know my struggles, and my life. If you actually read my OP, and you were at the race you would know what I wrote was more than fair and actually gave more credit to the race then they deserved.

You use Boston as an example. Let me tell you how it is for a regular runner.

1) I have to pay for a race to qualify for Boston. It's my sole responsibility to make sure the course is certified. I have a full time job, family as well. also, in case you don't know most races are more than $100.

2) Then if I qualify for Boston, I have to be fast enough to register early enough. If I qualify but am not fast enough, I sit at home.

3) Boston charges average runners $180...just to register. If I get sick or injured. I'm out the $$. I get no course preview, no special anything. I'm guaranteed anything if the race wants to change something at the last minute. (and they do from start times to headphone rules to water stops)

4) Boston hotels jack up the price during the race weekend. many times going well above $400. Including requiring multiple night stays.

5) in addition to the hotel, I have to cover the cost of everything. From shoes to transportation.

6) Before the race. I have to get up 5+ hours before the race just to get transportation. If it rains, I get wet, If it's cold, I freeze, if it's hot I bake.

So, yeah I get a shirt, but I pay $180 for the right to get that shirt. Boston attracts 20,000+ runners. so it's a big market for them.

and that's one of the better marathons. So to listen to you and Patrick Rizzo complain, it's really hard to feel sorry for you.

My friend said "I don't get any special treatment for showing up to work everyday, some days are good and some are tough but that is life.

Olympic Trials Athlete wrote:

LA trials fanboy wrote:

You use Boston as an example. Let me tell you how it is for a regular runner.

1) I have to pay for a race to qualify for Boston. It's my sole responsibility to make sure the course is certified. I have a full time job, family as well. also, in case you don't know most races are more than $100.

2) Then if I qualify for Boston, I have to be fast enough to register early enough. If I qualify but am not fast enough, I sit at home.

3) Boston charges average runners $180...just to register. If I get sick or injured. I'm out the $$. I get no course preview, no special anything. I'm guaranteed anything if the race wants to change something at the last minute. (and they do from start times to headphone rules to water stops)

4) Boston hotels jack up the price during the race weekend. many times going well above $400. Including requiring multiple night stays.

5) in addition to the hotel, I have to cover the cost of everything. From shoes to transportation.

6) Before the race. I have to get up 5+ hours before the race just to get transportation. If it rains, I get wet, If it's cold, I freeze, if it's hot I bake.

So, yeah I get a shirt, but I pay $180 for the right to get that shirt. Boston attracts 20,000+ runners. so it's a big market for them.

and that's one of the better marathons. So to listen to you and Patrick Rizzo complain, it's really hard to feel sorry for you.

My friend said "I don't get any special treatment for showing up to work everyday, some days are good and some are tough but that is life.

Again you didn't read my post. I used Boston as an example of runners who qualified for a race and want to "BUY", capital letters, underline, the opposite of free gear! I was not expecting a handout. I wanted to again buy merchandise that said trials anything on it. That was the only reference I made to Boston. Which I have done and paid for my own travel and hotel, so don't preach to me about how expensive it is because I know. Your whole post made it sound like you are actually the whiner here. I didn't mind all those things you described about Boston because I was paying for the experience. Again if you would please read my original post I had several positive things Imabout the event. This is again a review of my experience, and yes it wasn't all positive. I'm not going to apologize to you for my own personal experience. Not all feedback is or has to be positive. Without a dialogue how are we supposed to improve these events in the future?

I don't know why I'm trying wrote:

LA trials fanboy wrote:

You use Boston as an example. Let me tell you how it is for a regular runner.

1) I have to pay for a race to qualify for Boston. It's my sole responsibility to make sure the course is certified. I have a full time job, family as well. also, in case you don't know most races are more than $100.

2) Then if I qualify for Boston, I have to be fast enough to register early enough. If I qualify but am not fast enough, I sit at home.

3) Boston charges average runners $180...just to register. If I get sick or injured. I'm out the $$. I get no course preview, no special anything. I'm guaranteed anything if the race wants to change something at the last minute. (and they do from start times to headphone rules to water stops)

4) Boston hotels jack up the price during the race weekend. many times going well above $400. Including requiring multiple night stays.

5) in addition to the hotel, I have to cover the cost of everything. From shoes to transportation.

6) Before the race. I have to get up 5+ hours before the race just to get transportation. If it rains, I get wet, If it's cold, I freeze, if it's hot I bake.

So, yeah I get a shirt, but I pay $180 for the right to get that shirt. Boston attracts 20,000+ runners. so it's a big market for them.

and that's one of the better marathons. So to listen to you and Patrick Rizzo complain, it's really hard to feel sorry for you.

My friend said "I don't get any special treatment for showing up to work everyday, some days are good and some are tough but that is life.

I know I'm wasting my time but I'll bite. Why do runners get so upset when elites get special treatment over them? Are they opposed to running being a professional sport?

So races want to or find it beneficial to have elites and treat them a certain way. If you don't like that then don't go to those races. I'm sorry Boston is so mean to you but the bottom line what you bring to Boston is your money.

Houston wanted to host the trials and wanted to put out more of an effort to support the athletes. The athlete committee voted unanimously they want Houston and USATF gave the trials to LA for their own reasons. The elites don't have a choice of going to another Olympic trials this is it. A lot of the complaints I've heard from athletes was about an overall lack of respect they were treated with. USATF bigwigs were in a VIP tent chowing down on fancy food and a well stocked bar while the athletes finished feet away and were given a water and nothing else after expending themselves on a brutally hot day. USATF does need the athletes and should treat them better than that.

LA trials fanboy wrote:

I don't know why I'm trying wrote:

I know I'm wasting my time but I'll bite. Why do runners get so upset when elites get special treatment over them? Are they opposed to running being a professional sport?

So races want to or find it beneficial to have elites and treat them a certain way. If you don't like that then don't go to those races. I'm sorry Boston is so mean to you but the bottom line what you bring to Boston is your money.

Houston wanted to host the trials and wanted to put out more of an effort to support the athletes. The athlete committee voted unanimously they want Houston and USATF gave the trials to LA for their own reasons. The elites don't have a choice of going to another Olympic trials this is it. A lot of the complaints I've heard from athletes was about an overall lack of respect they were treated with. USATF bigwigs were in a VIP tent chowing down on fancy food and a well stocked bar while the athletes finished feet away and were given a water and nothing else after expending themselves on a brutally hot day. USATF does need the athletes and should treat them better than that.

Sorry you are wrong. I am not complaining about the special treatment of elites. I mean, I boycotted Rock N Roll when they weren't going to pay elites. But the people here complaining make me NOT want to support elites because with this "entitlement Generation" (especially Nick Simmonds) they are never, ever happy.

I'm not opposed to running being a professional sport, but the runners have to ACT PROFESSIONAL. Complaining how you didn't get a free shirt isn't profession. Complaining how the race conditions (which the USATF had no control over) isn't professional. Professional people prepare and do the job.

imagine if you had the Broncos complain that the Super Bowl started too late in the afternoon.

Houston isn't viable option. Congratulations you found out life isn't fair. Do athletes have any say in the Olympics. Did they choose Rio? You go where the championships are. That's life (and again, it's being professional to go there)

I bet 99% of the lack of respect was only in the athletes eyes. The subs an wannabe have been tearing down the USATF for years so they only notice the negative. I mean the Olympic Trials Athlete suggested that the officials were going out bad mouthing those with little to no chance. when further questioned they admitted it was a "person who was credential in the tent."

Sorry, they didn't get the lavish spread that no one promised them. That's life.

Honestly, it's people like this that really turn me off to supporting the sub elite runners. They often parachute into races, taking prize money and leave ASAP without supporting running in any meaningful way. Why should we support them when they do nothing to help the sport. Support is a 2-way street.

From an LA perspective wrote:

I would say that combined with Pat Rizzo's blog this pretty much sums it up:

https://www.facebook.com/PeterAbraham2/posts/10153432858311989

10 Ways to Improve the Olympic Trials Marathon

By Peter Abraham

Like many running fans here in LA, I was thrilled when USA Track & Field announced that the 2016 Olympic Trials for the marathon would be held in LA. As an event that happens only once in four years, it’s arguably the most important marathon held in the US. And spectating with thousands of others was a treat. We only get to see the best US distance runners going head to head once every four years. Yet, there were still a number of ways the event could be vastly improved for spectators and fans. Here’s my ten point plan to improve the event, and the sport:

1. Separate the Trials and the ________ Marathon. The Olympic Trials were paired with, and produced by, the LA Marathon. Same situation in 2012 with the Houston Marathon. The Trials event has outgrown the need to piggyback onto a mass-start marathon. Here’s why:

- Why put the production of such an important event on the backs of an already small and stressed-out production team? I used to help manage the LA Marathon, and I can tell you it was a huge distraction to put on a small 5K a month after our race, let alone the Olympic Trials the day before.

- There was ZERO synergy with LA Marathon, due to the sponsor war between title sponsors Skechers (LAM) and Nike (Trials). The LAM Expo, steps from the Trials course, saw about 50,000 runners and their friends come through their doors. I was in there both days working with my client Lumo Run. I never saw a single sign, video, or other promotion for the Trials. Here’s how bad it was: in the middle of the Trials marathon race, the jumbotron TV in the Expo had a basketball game on. Think about that for a minute. Staggering.

- Likewise, the Trials are virtually owned by USATF/IOC sponsor Nike. So no advertising of any kind was allowed on the route. And no promoting the city’s biggest marathon, which takes place the following day.

2. Tell the City about the Trials. I live in LA, and I’m highly attuned to running-related press and media coverage. I can say that there was almost zero outreach to those of us living in LA. I did see one poorly-placed billboard, and I heard there were some ads on buses, but that was it. No Facebook ads, no Twitter account (really?), no posters along the route, no email to LA Marathon sponsors, etc. Just nothing. Look, if the USATF & USOC are going to put a big event in the Los Angeles market, then they need to commit time and energy to market it. While the hard core fan knew about the Trials, nobody else did. This was a huge miss. Imagine how many fans would have come out if they’d bothered to do some marketing.

3. They needed big screens all over the course. While these are not cheap, it would have made the spectating experience 10x better. Even with the short, criterium-style loops, you only saw the leaders twice every 30 minutes. Why couldn’t they have organized viewing parties around the route, with big screens, snacks, and cold drinks?

4. Don’t hide the start/finish. The most important part of the course, the finish line, was buried up against the convention center and behind the hospitality tents. Were they trying to keep it a secret? Why not have stands and spectators? I was nearby on the course during the pre-race athlete introductions. The thousands of fans standing with me had no way to appreciate the stars of our sport who were being announced. The only way you could see the finish line was if you were in the VIP area or by loitering on some outdoor stairwells at the convention center. It felt like the trials were really all about serving the one key sponsor and not the fans.

5. Make athletes available at public autograph sessions. I was around the event all week, and the lobby of the JW Marriott looked like the US running hall of fame. The major stars of running, even those not competing in the Trials, were all here with sponsors or teammates. It was a shame that there weren’t fan sessions where people could meet their heroes. Distance running as a competitive sport is fighting for its life right now. Let’s be honest. Why not at least try to promote the athletes who will build a bigger audience. Have we given up?

6. Live stream the event. The late 10:30 start time meant marathoners were running in the heat of the day. This was dictated by the television broadcast network. We’ve moved on to a streaming world, and it’s time for running to follow suit. Why not live stream the event on YouTube? This would allow the event to start in the morning, and it would make the broadcast accessible to more fans around the world. The NBC imprimatur sounds impressive in a press release, but is the broadcast model, in 2016, really the best thing for the sport?

7. Engage the running community. A contemporary marketing strategy would have involved a team of community managers for the Trials starting 10-12 months before the event to drum up support with all the local running clubs and high school track teams in Southern California. As a comparison, I worked with lululemon on an activation around the Trials, and we were hard at work last August with strategy, meetings, and brainstorming sessions. By the time we got to November, we were in go mode with execution details and production. And this was for a one night event for 600 people the week of the Trials. Judging by the lack of outreach exhibited by USATF/USOC, it feels like this event isn’t a priority for anyone, except the athletes.

8. Open up sponsorship. Because the Trials are essentially owned by Nike, no other brands are allowed to get near the event. I know this because I asked. I was offered a VIP tent, with no exterior branding, for $15,000. Uh, no. This means that no brands can come in and amplify the event with their marketing budgets and manpower and communities. I know that Nike does sponsor the Trials, but I couldn’t see one single activation they executed at the event. And because the Trials management also did no outreach, this meant the event felt essentially lifeless, only propped up by the hardcore fans that did show up.

9. Get out of the bubble. The sport of running is really good at talking to itself. That strategy works if growth and expansion are not priorities. But if USATF wants to bring in new fans, it needs to speak to the sports fan who would love these events if they only got a chance to see it in person. That means going out, doing the work, and bringing that fan into the tent. I didn’t see any of that happening.

10. Do this more than every four years. I was struck by the number of fans I did see on the route, even with zero marketing. And people were supporting their favorite runners, cheering, and really into the race. I personally loved screaming at athletes all day. Like my friend Rebecca said, “This is my Super Bowl.” The shame is that running fans only get to do this every four years at the marathon and then track & field Olympic Trials. Other than that there is never, ever an opportunity to see the top American stars go head to head. Compare this to the PGA Tour, the NBA, and other more popular spectator sports. Fans get to see their heroes every single week all season. Isn’t there some model that would allow the stars of US running to compete against each other more often?

From an LA perspective wrote:

I would say that combined with Pat Rizzo's blog this pretty much sums it up:

https://www.facebook.com/PeterAbraham2/posts/10153432858311989

10 Ways to Improve the Olympic Trials Marathon

By Peter Abraham

Like many running fans here in LA, I was thrilled when USA Track & Field announced that the 2016 Olympic Trials for the marathon would be held in LA. As an event that happens only once in four years, it’s arguably the most important marathon held in the US. And spectating with thousands of others was a treat. We only get to see the best US distance runners going head to head once every four years. Yet, there were still a number of ways the event could be vastly improved for spectators and fans. Here’s my ten point plan to improve the event, and the sport:

1. Separate the Trials and the ________ Marathon. The Olympic Trials were paired with, and produced by, the LA Marathon. Same situation in 2012 with the Houston Marathon. The Trials event has outgrown the need to piggyback onto a mass-start marathon. Here’s why:

- Why put the production of such an important event on the backs of an already small and stressed-out production team? I used to help manage the LA Marathon, and I can tell you it was a huge distraction to put on a small 5K a month after our race, let alone the Olympic Trials the day before.

- There was ZERO synergy with LA Marathon, due to the sponsor war between title sponsors Skechers (LAM) and Nike (Trials). The LAM Expo, steps from the Trials course, saw about 50,000 runners and their friends come through their doors. I was in there both days working with my client Lumo Run. I never saw a single sign, video, or other promotion for the Trials. Here’s how bad it was: in the middle of the Trials marathon race, the jumbotron TV in the Expo had a basketball game on. Think about that for a minute. Staggering.

- Likewise, the Trials are virtually owned by USATF/IOC sponsor Nike. So no advertising of any kind was allowed on the route. And no promoting the city’s biggest marathon, which takes place the following day.

2. Tell the City about the Trials. I live in LA, and I’m highly attuned to running-related press and media coverage. I can say that there was almost zero outreach to those of us living in LA. I did see one poorly-placed billboard, and I heard there were some ads on buses, but that was it. No Facebook ads, no Twitter account (really?), no posters along the route, no email to LA Marathon sponsors, etc. Just nothing. Look, if the USATF & USOC are going to put a big event in the Los Angeles market, then they need to commit time and energy to market it. While the hard core fan knew about the Trials, nobody else did. This was a huge miss. Imagine how many fans would have come out if they’d bothered to do some marketing.

3. They needed big screens all over the course. While these are not cheap, it would have made the spectating experience 10x better. Even with the short, criterium-style loops, you only saw the leaders twice every 30 minutes. Why couldn’t they have organized viewing parties around the route, with big screens, snacks, and cold drinks?

4. Don’t hide the start/finish. The most important part of the course, the finish line, was buried up against the convention center and behind the hospitality tents. Were they trying to keep it a secret? Why not have stands and spectators? I was nearby on the course during the pre-race athlete introductions. The thousands of fans standing with me had no way to appreciate the stars of our sport who were being announced. The only way you could see the finish line was if you were in the VIP area or by loitering on some outdoor stairwells at the convention center. It felt like the trials were really all about serving the one key sponsor and not the fans.

5. Make athletes available at public autograph sessions. I was around the event all week, and the lobby of the JW Marriott looked like the US running hall of fame. The major stars of running, even those not competing in the Trials, were all here with sponsors or teammates. It was a shame that there weren’t fan sessions where people could meet their heroes. Distance running as a competitive sport is fighting for its life right now. Let’s be honest. Why not at least try to promote the athletes who will build a bigger audience. Have we given up?

6. Live stream the event. The late 10:30 start time meant marathoners were running in the heat of the day. This was dictated by the television broadcast network. We’ve moved on to a streaming world, and it’s time for running to follow suit. Why not live stream the event on YouTube? This would allow the event to start in the morning, and it would make the broadcast accessible to more fans around the world. The NBC imprimatur sounds impressive in a press release, but is the broadcast model, in 2016, really the best thing for the sport?

7. Engage the running community. A contemporary marketing strategy would have involved a team of community managers for the Trials starting 10-12 months before the event to drum up support with all the local running clubs and high school track teams in Southern California. As a comparison, I worked with lululemon on an activation around the Trials, and we were hard at work last August with strategy, meetings, and brainstorming sessions. By the time we got to November, we were in go mode with execution details and production. And this was for a one night event for 600 people the week of the Trials. Judging by the lack of outreach exhibited by USATF/USOC, it feels like this event isn’t a priority for anyone, except the athletes.

8. Open up sponsorship. Because the Trials are essentially owned by Nike, no other brands are allowed to get near the event. I know this because I asked. I was offered a VIP tent, with no exterior branding, for $15,000. Uh, no. This means that no brands can come in and amplify the event with their marketing budgets and manpower and communities. I know that Nike does sponsor the Trials, but I couldn’t see one single activation they executed at the event. And because the Trials management also did no outreach, this meant the event felt essentially lifeless, only propped up by the hardcore fans that did show up.

9. Get out of the bubble. The sport of running is really good at talking to itself. That strategy works if growth and expansion are not priorities. But if USATF wants to bring in new fans, it needs to speak to the sports fan who would love these events if they only got a chance to see it in person. That means going out, doing the work, and bringing that fan into the tent. I didn’t see any of that happening.

10. Do this more than every four years. I was struck by the number of fans I did see on the route, even with zero marketing. And people were supporting their favorite runners, cheering, and really into the race. I personally loved screaming at athletes all day. Like my friend Rebecca said, “This is my Super Bowl.” The shame is that running fans only get to do this every four years at the marathon and then track & field Olympic Trials. Other than that there is never, ever an opportunity to see the top American stars go head to head. Compare this to the PGA Tour, the NBA, and other more popular spectator sports. Fans get to see their heroes every single week all season. Isn’t there some model that would allow the stars of US running to compete against each other more often?

LA trials fanboy wrote:

Sorry you are wrong. I am not complaining about the special treatment of elites. I mean, I boycotted Rock N Roll when they weren't going to pay elites. But the people here complaining make me NOT want to support elites because with this "entitlement Generation" (especially Nick Simmonds) they are never, ever happy.

I'm not opposed to running being a professional sport, but the runners have to ACT PROFESSIONAL. Complaining how you didn't get a free shirt isn't profession. Complaining how the race conditions (which the USATF had no control over) isn't professional. Professional people prepare and do the job.

imagine if you had the Broncos complain that the Super Bowl started too late in the afternoon.

Houston isn't viable option. Congratulations you found out life isn't fair. Do athletes have any say in the Olympics. Did they choose Rio? You go where the championships are. That's life (and again, it's being professional to go there)

I bet 99% of the lack of respect was only in the athletes eyes. The subs an wannabe have been tearing down the USATF for years so they only notice the negative. I mean the Olympic Trials Athlete suggested that the officials were going out bad mouthing those with little to no chance. when further questioned they admitted it was a "person who was credential in the tent."

Sorry, they didn't get the lavish spread that no one promised them. That's life.

Honestly, it's people like this that really turn me off to supporting the sub elite runners. They often parachute into races, taking prize money and leave ASAP without supporting running in any meaningful way. Why should we support them when they do nothing to help the sport. Support is a 2-way street.

Olympic Trials Athlete wrote:

LA trials fanboy wrote:

Sorry you are wrong. I am not complaining about the special treatment of elites. I mean, I boycotted Rock N Roll when they weren't going to pay elites. But the people here complaining make me NOT want to support elites because with this "entitlement Generation" (especially Nick Simmonds) they are never, ever happy.

I'm not opposed to running being a professional sport, but the runners have to ACT PROFESSIONAL. Complaining how you didn't get a free shirt isn't profession. Complaining how the race conditions (which the USATF had no control over) isn't professional. Professional people prepare and do the job.

imagine if you had the Broncos complain that the Super Bowl started too late in the afternoon.

Houston isn't viable option. Congratulations you found out life isn't fair. Do athletes have any say in the Olympics. Did they choose Rio? You go where the championships are. That's life (and again, it's being professional to go there)

I bet 99% of the lack of respect was only in the athletes eyes. The subs an wannabe have been tearing down the USATF for years so they only notice the negative. I mean the Olympic Trials Athlete suggested that the officials were going out bad mouthing those with little to no chance. when further questioned they admitted it was a "person who was credential in the tent."

Sorry, they didn't get the lavish spread that no one promised them. That's life.

Honestly, it's people like this that really turn me off to supporting the sub elite runners. They often parachute into races, taking prize money and leave ASAP without supporting running in any meaningful way. Why should we support them when they do nothing to help the sport. Support is a 2-way street.

Why do I bother to read anything you write, because you clearly don't read what I do. From the very beginning I said it was someone with credentials but I'm not sure who. If you misread then that is on you. I have also said that I try to support races I do in any way I can, and I often send thank you cards in appreciation. I have volunteered at several local races to give back, as well. You can make all the broad generalizations you want to but just know that not everyone fits into the mold you have created for us in your mind. It's laughable that you use pro football as an example of professionals. How many runners out there are getting arrested for murder, Aaron Hernandez, or domestic abuse, Ray Rice? If that is the standard you want to set then bring it on. In the same token I don't condemn Tom Brady because he plays the same sport as those two. It's cool that you got to meet Meb, and he was nice to you, but I'm sure someone else somewhere has a story of a runner on the same level as Meb or better who was an a--. I get it you think the younger generation is a bunch of pre madonnas that are not grateful for anything. Well guess what, I'm sure someone said that about your generation as well.