Only Americans can be pro runners? wrote:
Eliud Kipchoge cannot qualify for USAs. Is he not a pro runner?
Don't be a moran. The thread is clearly talking about American runners. Don't have time at the moment to create definitions for every country.
-
815
-
Technically, anyone who gets paid to run is a professional. This includes any endorsement deal or prize money. So no matter what you think of people, as long as someone is still paying them for their running, they are a pro.
The athlete special is a pro. He's figured out a means of getting paid for his running career even though he isn't close to sniffing a national team berth. The guy that wins $50 for coming in 4th at the local 4th of July 5k next week while only running 15:45 is also a pro. All of them would have been sanctioned or banned by the AAU and ineligible to race in the Olympics based on their actions as a professional back in the 1970s.
As for the sponsored runners that can't make it to USA's, they may face the consequences of that based on their contracts and don't need you and Rojo trying to minimize their running career.
1718 -
According to your link there's no such thing as a pro marathoner?
72 -
coffee club fan girl wrote:
Technically, anyone who gets paid to run is a professional. This includes any endorsement deal or prize money. So no matter what you think of people, as long as someone is still paying them for their running, they are a pro.
The athlete special is a pro. He's figured out a means of getting paid for his running career even though he isn't close to sniffing a national team berth. The guy that wins $50 for coming in 4th at the local 4th of July 5k next week while only running 15:45 is also a pro. All of them would have been sanctioned or banned by the AAU and ineligible to race in the Olympics based on their actions as a professional back in the 1970s.
As for the sponsored runners that can't make it to USA's, they may face the consequences of that based on their contracts and don't need you and Rojo trying to minimize their running career.
Interesting way of looking at it. I would say that calling a weekend warrior who wins prize money at their local 5K a pro minimizes what it means to be a pro.
201 -
The definition is that you make money but it's surprising anyone in a small sport like track and field that someone who can't make the first round of the Olympic trials can make money.
Are the people who can't qualify for the qualifier for Wimbledon pro tennis players?
50 -
Track Bro wrote:
coffee club fan girl wrote:
Technically, anyone who gets paid to run is a professional. This includes any endorsement deal or prize money. So no matter what you think of people, as long as someone is still paying them for their running, they are a pro.
The athlete special is a pro. He's figured out a means of getting paid for his running career even though he isn't close to sniffing a national team berth. The guy that wins $50 for coming in 4th at the local 4th of July 5k next week while only running 15:45 is also a pro. All of them would have been sanctioned or banned by the AAU and ineligible to race in the Olympics based on their actions as a professional back in the 1970s.
As for the sponsored runners that can't make it to USA's, they may face the consequences of that based on their contracts and don't need you and Rojo trying to minimize their running career.
Interesting way of looking at it. I would say that calling a weekend warrior who wins prize money at their local 5K a pro minimizes what it means to be a pro.
Then my opinion on all matters is inherently superior since, by this definition, I was a pro runner during the 1980s and 1990s. Granted, I never made more than $500/year in prize money but I had equipment deals with shoe companies.
RESPECT ME!!! HEED MY OPINIONS!!! I am no longer a chubby old jogger. I am a retired PROFESSIONAL RUNNER!!! I WON $250 AT A TURKEY TROT IN 1989!!!
If I start a YouTube channel about me treading around my neighborhood at 10-minute pace and enough people watch it, does that make me a pro again? Does that put me in the drug testing pool?
103 -
Wrongggg wrote:
Pro Card Watch wrote:
We have to draw the line somewhere and this seems like the perfect opportunity. Any (healthy) runner who cannot qualify for USAs in their main event can no longer describe themselves as a pro runner and their pro card should be pulled. Does not seem to be a big ask - not even asking them to make the finals or anything.
The term pro in any sport is an athlete that gets paid to perform in that sport. Plenty of pro athletes that you never see on a football field, or court or at the US Trials. You’re absolutely wrong
You're kidding, right? If someone doesn't make the cut for an NFL team, then yes, they are not a pro football player.
I agree, if someone can not make USA's, then they are not a pro. Once they do qualify, then they are forever a pro. Nick Symmonds is a retired/former pro runner. The guy who wins $100 running 17 minutes at their local 5k, is not a pro. Standards matter.
107 -
Now I know why so much of the political discussion goes off the rails here, some of you have no critical thinking skills.
The guy who wins $50 at his local road race is not a pro runner.
221 -
BrainCelll wrote:
Not to mention they keep moving the goal posts every champs. I'm looking forward to the 2028 National Champs when the standards are 3:31 and 12:58 and you're still clinging to this claim..
We are talking about USAs here, not Worlds. The standards for the 15, 5, and 10 are 3:37, 13:20, and 27:50. Perfectly reasonable for a professional runner.
151 -
Looking at the entries wrote:
Now I know why so much of the political discussion goes off the rails here, some of you have no critical thinking skills.
The guy who wins $50 at his local road race is not a pro runner.
For sure. On the flip side in triathlon they have pro cards, but a good portion of people with them in long course are not making a living at the sport. They have real jobs.
10 -
Good point. Definitions exist.
00 -
Since there are so many wannabe pros out there, perhaps USATF should start issuing pro cards? If you want to call yourself pro, then you can sign up for a $150/year USATF Pro membership. It's the same as a regular membership but you can flash a fancier card that says "PROFESSIONAL" on it.
Of course, all proceeds go to Max's bank account.
111 -
SUPER ELITE
Marathon 2.06.00
10k 27.005k 12.55.00
1500m 3.33.00
800m 1.44.00ELITE (Pro)
Marathon 2.10.00
10k 27.30.00
5k 13.20.00
1500m 3.36.00
800m 1.46.00SUB ELITE
Marathon 2.18.00
10k 28.15.00
5k 13.45.00
1500m 3.38.00
800m 1.47.50Upper club runner
Marathon 2.25.00
10k 29.00.00
5k 14.20.00
1500m 3.45.00
800m 1.49.00Lower club runner
Marathon 2.40.00
10k 31.30
5k 15.00.00
1500m 3.52.00
800m 1.54.00Hobby Jogger
Marathon 3.00.00
10k 33.00
5k 16.30.00
1500m 4.00.00
800m 2.00.00525 -
rojo wrote:
I like the concept the OP is betting at. But a better analogy would be baseball. If you don't make USAs, you aren't in the majors. You are in at best AAA.
AAA players sign a pro contract, get paid a salary for a number of years, get health insurance, and actually get paid for time on the field. But I guess making $50-$100K a year isn't 'professional to you and your brother and your fatty frat friends.
In the brojo world, I guess you are not a worker and no of value to society unless you make $110,000 a year.
You guys are something else.
104 -
Pretty grim to go this hard rigorously defining the word "professional" when we have the option of not caring. It's truly liberating to look at something that has no impact on your daily life, shrug, and keep moving.
122 -
coffee club fan girl wrote:
Technically, anyone who gets paid to run is a professional. This includes any endorsement deal or prize money. So no matter what you think of people, as long as someone is still paying them for their running, they are a pro.Too focused on technical definitions, but at least I follow your logic.
coffee club fan girl wrote:
The athlete special is a pro. He's figured out a means of getting paid for his running career even though he isn't close to sniffing a national team berth. The guy that wins $50 for coming in 4th at the local 4th of July 5k next week while only running 15:45 is also a pro. All of them would have been sanctioned or banned by the AAU and ineligible to race in the Olympics based on their actions as a professional back in the 1970s.WHAT? So far from being the truth that it completely invalidates all other points. Who cares what happened in the 1970s? The year is 2013.
coffee club fan girl wrote:
As for the sponsored runners that can't make it to USA's, they may face the consequences of that based on their contracts and don't need you and Rojo trying to minimize their running career.Correct. Their sponsors will remove their pro card.
32 -
rojo wrote:
I like the concept the OP is betting at. But a better analogy would be baseball. If you don't make USAs, you aren't in the majors. You are in at best AAA.
If you barely make the USATF, and get eliminated in the first round, you are still a minor leaguer.
You are a major leaguer when you make the Olympic / World team or make the DL (without piggybacking on your big sister).
16 -
You probably have to monetize your youtube channel to qualify but other than that, no age or ability limit to being professional as long as someone wants to pay you.
01 -
It's 2023 not 2013. It is important to respect and understand the history of what qualified as a professional runner historically. Key elements to Pre's story in books and movies was that he lived in poverty to maintain his amateur status and eligibility for the olympics. He couldn't take prize money or appearance fees beyond the cost of travel at races or the AAU would call him a pro. Thus, winning prize money at races or appearance fees = professional runner. Sponsors end contracts not remove a pro card since that doesn't exist. You can lose all your sponsors then go win a big race and prize money and are still a pro.
43
What People Are Talking About On LetsRun
No top threads at the moment. Check back soon.