I used to feel sorry for Mt. SAC after they remodeled Hilmer Lodge Stadium for the Olympic Trials only to be screwed over by Nike and Tracktown. But they have really screwed up in recent years by allowing Mt. SAC Relays to become a bush league event. They need to clean house and completely rebuild their brand.
Just watched the Men’s Elite 800m (Jewett, NCAA 1-2 Arkansas Runners) get completely demolished by a CAMERAMAN WALKING ONTO THE TRACK.
The runners had just come through at 51.05 for the first lap, moments before a cameraman walks right into lane 1 with his huge equipment, and completely flattens the entire field.
DNF for the entire field. (Arizona State’s Dayton Carlson finished the race in 1:57)
Have we ever seen a bigger, unavoidable disaster in such a high-profile race? These guys were about to finish in 1:44-1:45 presumably.
I’m sure a video of the aftermath will surface soon, but if anyone here was at the meet, drop your thoughts:
I was at Beaverton for USAs Hammer event back in the day when the hammer got stuck in the net, for 5 seconds, then fell to the ground almost killing the thrower by inches. Nike just slaps together venues without any independent engineering reviews. We're expendable.
Just watched the Men’s Elite 800m (Jewett, NCAA 1-2 Arkansas Runners) get completely demolished by a CAMERAMAN WALKING ONTO THE TRACK.
The runners had just come through at 51.05 for the first lap, moments before a cameraman walks right into lane 1 with his huge equipment, and completely flattens the entire field.
DNF for the entire field. (Arizona State’s Dayton Carlson finished the race in 1:57)
Have we ever seen a bigger, unavoidable disaster in such a high-profile race? These guys were about to finish in 1:44-1:45 presumably.
I’m sure a video of the aftermath will surface soon, but if anyone here was at the meet, drop your thoughts:
Maybe I'm just an a-hole, but why are a couple of the runners helping the cameramen and shaking his hand? I'm not saying they should curb stomp him, but once it's clear he's alive, does he really deserve any assistance after what he just did?
Some have more humanity than you, even if the cameraman’s error ruined their race.
I think the only race I ever saw that was nearly as decimated as this one was the 2005 Prefontaine women's 1500m. I believe around 8 or 9 runners went down with several DNFs. Unfortunately, I cant find the video anywhere. There are photos online but no video I am aware of. That fall was not caused by an inattentive cameraman; it was simply a chain reaction when one runner went down.
Great photo of that race. All the women who fell were blondes, and the caption made note of that.
This happens to some degree or another at every track meet. We really need to establish some rules around this. Photographers are constantly on the track. In what other sport are the photographers allowed on the field of play? I would say the same for fans and coaches. Get the eff off the GD track and the infield. We've got social media influencers, drones, photographers, best friends, girlfriends, rabid coaches screaming and running along their athletes. Would love for the NCAA and WA to come down hard on this once and for all. Here's looking at you Brian Clay Invite. That meet is a clown show.
If you're a meet director, get some frigg'n control over the situation.
Maybe I'm just an a-hole, but why are a couple of the runners helping the cameramen and shaking his hand? I'm not saying they should curb stomp him, but once it's clear he's alive, does he really deserve any assistance after what he just did?
Some have more humanity than you, even if the cameraman’s error ruined their race.
And it was hardly a disaster. No one was hurt and everyone can move on to their next race.