Chicago OT $3500/$2500 incentive

Excellent point.

Keep up that negative attitude Joseph A. McVeigh, and you will not be welcome.

Sammy and the Ghost of George, and of course, Jason in Thailand will always be welcome.

Enjoy the money when it flows. Who cares what my motivation is.

We should all applaude Pinkowski and the Chicago Marathon for making this commitment to American Distance Runners. We need more of this for our sport. Thank you Mr. Pinkowski!

This story is also on RW daily news today; perhaps this will convince the doubters among you.

You are most welcome Chicago Irish. I'll be sure to toast my green beer to you.

For years New York ignored Americans, catering to and building the Olympic Teams of every nation around the globe except ours. They soon found themselves with no Americans and were FORCED to respond last year. Did they not know that their formerly marquee marathon had become second or even third tier, analogous to the Rose Bowl dropping status to the Independence Bowl. Does anyone know who won New York last year? Any year? Does anyone even care?

Chicago, since it's inception as "Americas Marathon", and especially under the direction of Pin, has always pursued the Americans. Some coincidence Chicago is the marathon of choice, huh? The fact that the budget may be freed up this year is gravy.

$2500 to run 2:20? Who'd a ever thunk it? The women's schedule is even more ridiculous! 33 minutes slower than the world record gets you $2500? WTF? Arnold is governor of California? Better stock up on gold, ammo, potable water and canned food.

I'm sitting in the chicago hilton press room. the conf is set for noontime in 20 minutes. yes, the bonuses to americans is real. Carey P. said he hopes to give away as much as he can.

Pinkowski has over and over again showed his commitment to US runners. The OT qualifying $$ is amazing... Carey has done it again. Big time props to Chicago and Carey.

I'm amazed.

For those who think I'm being disingenuous or negative, please re-read the part that says "I think it's a very nice gesture." I find it inconceivable that the other things I hypothesized (like grassroots promotional aspects and utilizing the full budget) did not cross The Pink Man's mind.

With new personnel in key spots the ING NYCM has broken ties with many of its past anti-American habits, but years' worth of damage has left scars discernible even to guys who have never heard of Ann Roberts.

As for why so many US runners choose LaSalle Bank Chicago over NYC, amid the farcical presentation "Princess" got it spot-on -- they are largely concerned that the ING NYCM course is slow.

"malmo" -- of course, Rodgers won last year. Rop, not Bill.

Thank yooo Mr. McVeigh....me have run both NYC and LaSaaaalle bank race. Princess likey many many people cheer for her at NYC...no get dat kinda support in windeee citteeee. Carey P only reason why LaSalleee be betterrrr. NYC known to be quite stingeee...not giving away free moneeee! Moonie say tough to argue with fast times and moneeee!

Joseph A. McVeigh,

you know we love you and only wish good things for you too here in the Windy City. You are welcome anytime.

We love the Americanos and want to keep them coming. We had the extra cabbage, so why not spend it wisely on our boys and girls going to battle at the Trials.

Hope all is well.

CP

I am in the competitive start. Does any one have any guesses as to how much time you will lose trying to get through the start if you are in the middle of the competitive pack?

Also the sub-2:22 bonus? Gun time only or chip time as well??

I have heard it is about 15 seconds lost from there. But that's just a guess. I would also guess that bonuses are based on the same thing everything else is and that's gun time.

You know what Mr.Moon Princess asshole. I'm a proud Canasian. That's right, Canadian citizen, Korean heritage and I'm tired of your trite, lame, interpretation of our language and culture. It no funneee no moreee.

I feel the pain of Chicago Runner Boy. How bad off will I be if I am in the competitive start area? Can I get a pretty good start? Am I gonna have to run 5:10's for the first 3 miles to catch up to the 5:20 pack? Also, what if gun time is 2:22:01 but chip time is 2:21:40? Aside from the bonus, does that qualify for the trials? I wouldn't care about the money at that point, but rather the qualifier.

Anyone know how that would work?

The front of the competitive start area is right behind the elites. The first 2-3 rows of the competitive area would only take you a couple of seconds or so to cross the start line. I think if you let the other runners know that you are looking to go 2:20 or so that they would let you through to the front of that group, as long as you don't wait until the last minute when it gets packed in pretty tight.

Good luck to everyone.

The last thing you are in disingenuous, I would say you are parochial, maybe blindly loyal, but certainly not disingenuous.

Thanks Carey. Now when my wife asks me whats in it for her (with all the training time committment) I have an answer - "$2500 if I achieve my personal goal and obtain an OTQ."

You're silly if you criticize this promotion, how many buisnesses out there distribute extra profits, aside from companies paying dividends? None. In this case some of the stakeholders in the business - runners going for OTQ -pursue this game as a hobby which we are passionate about. This just helps adds momentum to that passion.

Appreciation and race management support along with the events success will help in bringing back the incentive in future years, not criticism. Thanks again CP.

One thing to watch is that the incentive may create a lot of road kill out there. Run smart.

Calvert County wrote:

Also, what if gun time is 2:22:01 but chip time is 2:21:40? Aside from the bonus, does that qualify for the trials? I wouldn't care about the money at that point, but rather the qualifier.

Anyone know how that would work?

OT Qualifying is based on Gun Time. I believe you are allowed to petition USATF if you get that close, though. From what I've heard, if you tell people that you're trying for "The Olympics" (don't have to explain it all to them) they'll let you to the front of the Competitive Start. Just be persistent...