LAS VEGAS MARATHON NEWSPAPER ARTICLE, GOOD QUOTES

Yes...this race could have used a tad of help. Some elite troubles to say the least...and just some race troubles in general. And the dang race is cursed with the wind--fourth year in a row??? At times the wind was gusting close to 40 MPH...and a headwind almost the whole way. F*in ugly out there.

only been 3 years in a row of a headwind. 2002 was very good conditions.

The elite athlete coordinater is the absolute worst in the business. Devine racing will eventually see the light. Larry doesn't like to work with americans, because they have expectations. There are very few agents that work with this guy.

Does he work as an Elite Coordinator at other races? Maybe Vegas is the problem and not him.

None with americans.

that guy larry is the biggest asshole i've ever met at a race. i'm an elite athlete and the guy was not accomadating at all. he never even replied to me or a friend of mine's emails weeks in advance about the race. the guy is a dick. i even saw him getting in some guys face after the race just because he was enquiring about where prize money was to be picked up. asshole.

honestly, I am glad it wasn't just me. I was pulled into the elite area after the race because of placing but not considered elite before the race. I was not impressed with the guy, I asked him previous to the race about elite status and aid stations and he replied that the elite field was so small that there wasn't even going to be tables out and he said there would be water. I waited after the race for an awards ceremony but they did some private one in the elite area, for the press. I had left to gather my things and because I had not been given an elite number and being a later entrant I had a high number, I received the questions of if I belonged in the elite area. oh well, live and learn.

You are hardly "elite" if you finish with or behind the lead women and run 2:29 to 2:38 range. Even if you finish top ten.

39TH LAS VEGAS MARATHON & HALF MARATHON

JANUARY 30, 2005

OVERALL RESULTS OF THE MARATHON

Div Div

Place Time Chip_tm Half_m Name City,state Div/Tot Div

===== ======= ======= ======= ==================== ================= ======= =====

1 2:13:45 2:13:44 1:04:36 GILBERT KOECH ALBUQUERQUE NM 1/12 MOPOP

2 2:14:32 2:14:30 1:04:36 HENRY SEREM KEN 2/12 MOPOP

3 2:15:44 2:15:43 1:04:36 ELLY RONO KEN 3/12 MOPOP

4 2:16:12 2:16:10 1:06:12 MYKOLA ANTONENKO NEW YORK NY 1/165 M3034

5 2:16:43 2:16:41 1:04:36 FREDERICK CHUMBA KEN 4/12 MOPOP

6 2:19:36 2:19:35 1:06:13 FRANKLIN TENORIO ECU 5/12 MOPOP

7 2:27:46 2:27:46 1:06:46 JOHN KAGWE ROYERSFORD PA 6/12 MOPOP

8 2:29:11 2:29:10 1:09:14 BRIAN LIVINGSTON HOLLYWOOD CA 1/98 M2529

9 2:30:15 2:30:12 1:11:29 DANIEL FELDMAN PASADENA CA 1/50 M1824

10 2:31:54 2:31:53 1:14:42 OLGA KOVPOTINA KIEV UKR 1/11 FOPOP

11 2:32:13 2:32:12 1:14:41 LIOUDMILA KORTCHAGUI TORONTO RUS 2/11 FOPOP

12 2:32:39 2:32:37 1:12:45 CHRISTOPHER KNORZER ROCKLIN CA 1/224 M3539

13 2:34:20 2:34:18 1:08:22 ABEBE YIMER LAS VEGAS NV 7/12 MOPOP

14 2:34:39 2:34:35 1:15:29 SHANNON STENGER PAPILLION NE 2/98 M2529

15 2:35:58 2:35:57 1:14:42 RICARDO SANTOS TORONTO CAN 3/98 M2529

16 2:36:08 2:36:06 1:16:42 FIRAYA S ZHDANOVA RUS 3/11 FOPOP

17 2:36:39 2:36:32 1:14:36 RAVI BHAVE SILVIS IL 4/98 M2529

18 2:39:33 2:39:26 1:14:36 JACOB BRUNDAGE MUSKEGON MI 5/98 M2529

19 2:40:02 2:39:40 1:17:40 JEFF AMBOS RIVERSIDE CA 1/269 M4044

20 2:40:39 2:40:35 1:18:29 MIKE VANCE OMAHA NE 2/269 M4044

21 2:41:09 2:41:07 1:19:13 DENNIS COLBURN EDMONTON CAN 2/224 M3539

22 2:42:47 2:42:45 1:09:52 JASON WARICK SASKATOON CAN 2/165 M3034

23 2:43:17 2:43:11 1:19:25 CHRISTOPHER BAIN BETHESDA MD 6/98 M2529

24 2:44:05 2:44:02 1:19:48 STEVEN WALLENFELS ST. GEORGE UT 3/224 M3539

25 2:44:10 2:44:08 1:20:05 KATIE BLACKET BOULDER USA 4/11 FOPOP

This isn't directed at anyone personally but I went to Wal-Mart the other day and it sucked. First, the old man at the door didn't say "Welcome" with the sort of enthusiasm I wanted to hear. Then, no one came up to me asking if I needed help. Hello? Do I need to wear a sign declaring how much money I plan on spending?

Then, the kid in the electronics department asked why I was looking for only a bookshelf stereo? It was as if I didn't rise to his standard of customer. I gathered my stuff and started to leave. Damned old guy didn't even smile or say "Goodbye" when I left the store. Oh well, live and learn.

Time out - we're American distance runners, alright? Not NBA players or rock stars. Why do we honestly expect strangers who don't know who we are to kiss our asses just because we think we're special? It sounds like this race has some refinement issues but at least the new directors stepped up and offered decent prize money. Any race director reading these boards has to conclude we are just a bunch of ingrates with inflated egos and expectations. Rather than bitching and moaning, maybe some of you "elites" out there (or your agents, don't all you elites have representation?) could muster a charming campaign to educate directors as to what would make you come to their race? That could prove beneficial long term than complaining and calling them a-holes because you weren't schmoozed enough.

Schmoozed enough? Ha! We weren't schmoozed at all. The race directors never responded to emails. I was denied a comped entry by every coordinator that I could find. Not invited to the elite runners' meeting (apparently elite runners can only be found in the marathon). Then, here's the real clencher, after being told face to face that I couldn't get an entry, some coach gets his 72min runner comped right in front of us not two minutes after we'd spoken to the head race director himself. There was no elite shuttle to the starting line that could be found. Never heard of elite water bottle tables, but saw them during the race. Then was pointed in every direction for the award ceremony but left when it ran far behind schedule. Oh yeah, not that I would expect it, but no travel, hotel, or meals included, and I'm sure that not even a 61min half would've gotten me any more attention. Don't come to this race until management shapes up big time. At least the casinos in Vegas are hospitable toward you before they take your money. The race... well, it just takes your money.

Thanks for the education LV and Oregonian you both are a couple of nimrods and missed the point. And obviously you were not at the race. The wind factor was enough for the precios elite to even have bad days and drop out. Previous to the race there was no advertising of any names for any elite. The local paper the day before the race mentioned Kagwe and "other" Kenyans and that was all the coverage. When I contacted the race it was about aid stations and about where the list of reported elite was that they said they had but were not advertising. Thats all. Curiosity. As to me being elite, yeah I get it. I think I am the first to know that one.

You are wrong - I was there. The wind was brutal after 25k. The lead guys were cruising through the half in 64:37, and then the wind was impossible and they (the leader at least) ran 69:09 second half, even with a downhill.

Also what mills says in a post on thisd thread is false. There was no "getting in anyone's face" - Mr. Barthlow was very polite to the young guy who asked about prize money he had won. He seemed to be with his father/coach. I was standing right there when the conversation took place.

And we are glad to read you have a realistic appraisal of your own ability level.

Blah blah blah blah "PAY ATTENTION TO ME" blah blah blah blah blah...

Unless you were the winner, you ain't elite. Get over yourself.

I'll give you a little tip: write a letter to the race organizers about 30 days in advance requesting comps, personal water bottles, etc. You may get better results.

Let me tell you what being an RD is like in the final week - an annoying hellish existence. If you work on any sizable race, especially a marathon, you are so sick of the damned phone (and e-mail) and the idiocy that flows from it. You have so many details to attend to without three or four dozen calls a day with "helpful" suggestions about changing the course, start time, brand of gel, sports drink, size of cup, etc so that some mid-packer can have the perfect day, everyone else be damned (Including those sponsors who donated that stuff). It's also fun to keep rehashing details like start times, location, driving directions, things for the kids to do, and other stuff that was in THE FRIGGIN' BROCHURE or on THE FREAKIN' WEBSITE! Don't even get me started on the requests involving walkers, dogs, Rollerblades, skateboards, strollers, and parents who want their kid to ride a bike alongside them.

But my personal faves are the "elite". Not the professionals or their agents, the "up-and-comer" who wants comps and perks three days before the event. For starters, too late! I've spent that money already. Secondly, we are a small regional event with several hundred participants and not a mega race. Third, stop lying about your talent. (Not you personally) A quick Google search reveals that Mr. Soon-to-be-Great-and-I-Should-Comp-Him is actually a 23 year old from a local JC sporting a lifetime 5K PR of 18:52.

As for publicity, we do send out press releases to the local media. Their editors determine what appears in the paper or on TV. Since we raise funds for charity, I hate to shaft the cause so we can hire some PR flack at $150 / hr. to shove our story down some editor's throat. If the RD doesn't feel like advertising their field, I guess that is his choice.

Getting comps from a race is just like getting a job. A nice resume and cover letter is going to make a better impression than a phone call asking, "Uhhhh...you guys got any jobs?". Long story short, between fake elites and the general insecurity / helplessness of most runners, I have happily moved on to other things. Being an RD is thankless.

Well said.

Exactly what happens to the race director and/or elite athlete coordinator. And the frustrations involved.

Example of "no clue" by "wannabe elites" was the guy in Las Vegas at the start line of the marathon ten minutes before the race began, who wanted his "elite fluid bottles" put out on the course.

FYI

Regardless...Vegas was poorly organized, and Larry who does a GREAT job with other events, seem WAY overwhelmed this weekend...many of the comments above are quite valid.

Oregonian and LV, without knowing anything about you two I feel compelled to remind you that marathon running/racing is not sommething you do on a whim. It represents months of training. Unless you personally ran the race, you have no idea of the comments I made(and others) and what it took to finish the race. If you are associated with the race directors then just take the info as food for thought. All the runners regardless of their time have my respect for finishing and experiencing this LV race. I want to add that there were far more positives than negatives at this race, not to mention the fun factor of being held in Vegas.

When you reply to comments on any thread make sure you reply to the message you are directing your comments to because alot of your comments are misdirected and not true.

Vegas wrote:

FYI

Regardless...Vegas was poorly organized, and Larry who does a GREAT job with other events, seem WAY overwhelmed this weekend...many of the comments above are quite valid.

What events does Larry do a GREAT JOB with?

when this thread started, i thought better of adding to the fire, but after reading the article, and comments on this thread, i feel like safe in saying that it wasn't just me who felt this way.

I won't list everything that I had an issue with, if you really want to discuss it, please feel free to email me.

I suppose my problem is that, at most races i attend, I'm treated as though the race (& management) is/are happy to have me there. at vegas, it was clear that i was EXTREMELY fortunate to be allowed to run their race, as i really wasn't very "elite" at all. I don't expect to be "schmoozed" at all, i'm just used to races (any NYRRC race, CVS 5K, Senior Bowl 10K, etc.) where they LIKE to have "elite" athletes.

Now i will agree that there are plenty....no, tons of guys who are much better than I. however, i think even before the race started i was at least a contender to place, say in the top 3. If you have $100,000 and you're crowing about it, what good is it if you can't bring in any decent athletes? all you guys on this site are complaining about the slow times and yet you cap on those who would have liked to race, yet probably didn't because of the EAC. heck, i'm actually intebted to mr. barthlow as his actions probably caused some decent comp to disappear. made my life easier on sunday.

ok, that's enough for griping for tonight, any questions mail them to me so this doesn't turn into a nasty food fight :)

yours truly, Paris.