Do "running influencers" harm the competitive nature of the sport?

why do you see this? are you being forced to watch?

What? If competitive running ended today most of us would still go for a run.

I cannot believe that anyone with half a brain is influenced by an influencer.

influencer is just a term used for someone that posts on instagram and tic tok a lot but has no job.

I'm of the belief that we can celebrate both. It doesn't have to be "or". I can celebrate greatness and the relatable at the same time. I can look at a fast time and marvel while also being happy that an influencer is speaking to those that just want to finish a 5k. Given the health statistics of today's population, finishing a 5k for some is quite an achievement and quite necessary for our society's physical health.

People that are following influencers aren't braindead (as I've seen mentioned here), they've just made a different choice. They're most likely beginners and likely to grow out of the influencer's pull as they experience and learn more about running.

I would argue that the competitive nature of the sport is harmed more by the ultra-competitive runners--the ones that are willing to do "anything" to run faster times.

They cater to the slow people. People I guess don't really care except they finished. Their are people running marathons on 30 miles per week of training.

Please be fr. Read between the lines...

How did most people initially start running? People don't just get up one day and decide I'm a runner now...

Maybe you love running and don't even care about your performance or ability. Additionally, you might not even track your mileage or wear a watch, but at one point you did, at one point you ran to compete.

Exactly!

How do most people start running? They're kids and they naturally run and race each other. And most adults who run take it up for health. They have zero interest in anything beyond the local fun run. Even most people who get serious enough to try Boston or New York are doing it as a bucket list experience, not a competitive race. There was already a jogging craze in the US before Shorter won gold in 72. Did his win have an ahem, influence on it continuing to grow? Sure. But to think that the average hobby jogger wouldn't be running if T&F disappeared is a mistake.

Yes. Seth Demoor is out there spreading misinformation and sometimes just downright dangerous misinformation.

With some exceptions, Seth DeMoor (one of the few serious vloggers who is also on the faster side) does not generally film himself during races.

If you can figure out a way to get paid to "jog" or run subelite, fine. It is no comparison to what is actually happening at the front of the race. Shoes and entry fees are damned expensive, let your subscribers foot the bill.

He filmed himself during the World mountain running championships.

If there's a market for it, that's capitalism.

If there's some running insight to be gained from blogging a race, I don't think it's a bad thing.

lol, the DoD King is nowhere near good enough to be a legitimate pro. He's probably a legit scratch (whereas tour pros are like plus 8s or better). I'd say his golf talent is similar to like a 2:35 marathoner.

It’s not about being relatable. It’s about being binge-able. Like Castanza’s argument on Seinfield for a show about nothing. Why will people watch it? Because it’s on TV.

Do you honestly think Nick Bare is relatable to anyone? No, but he’s entertaining. And he’s got an iPhone and enunciates well, so he’s got a much bigger following than Grant Fisher.

People who genuinely care about performance in the running world will always laugh at influencers. And influencers will always laugh at the paychecks “pro” runners cash each month. They do nothing for each other while operating in the same space.

i don't really understand why you are asking this question. what does one have to do with the other the "competitive nature" comes from the individual. what running influencers are "competitive"?

I run a moderate amount these days. I use this site to keep up on the pros. I don't consume running content elsewhere.

Just because running content exists doesn't mean you need to engage with it.

Runners will run, no matter what is swirling around online.

The problem with "influencers" especially like yourself is your lack of backbone. You'll promote anything for a buck. When will you take some accountability that you're no better than thers. You're a text book narcissist. In your mind, you can never be at fault and it's always everyone else. When are you going to address all the people you lied to on Reddit regarding Spring Energy. You know the countless responses you where you told them you were going to reach out to the CEO directly? Instead you continue to support a company that's clearly in the wrong and ghosted all of them. Your silence is deafening. Your trues colors have been shown. You're no better than the next influencer. Actually, you're probably worse, at least they appeal to the masses as you put it.