Des Moines Marathon

Off the top of my head, I'd think about approaching the BAA about hosting the '05 women's champs at the Boston Half this autumn - good race, easy to get to, probably sufficient financial backing to sponsor a good purse, and far enough from New Haven that you wouldn't have a conflict for athletes wanting to run both.

OK, there's my idea - O'Doul's tomorrow.[/quote]

Careful Jim....

The BAA half is a great event with great people backing it, but isn't it the day before Tuft's?? that would have you proposing a worse scenario than the one you criticized.

Just playing devils advocate here. The Lord and bill Roe know I'm good at it.

ray wrote:

Careful Jim....

The BAA half is a great event with great people backing it, but isn't it the day before Tuft's?? that would have you proposing a worse scenario than the one you criticized.

Just playing devils advocate here. The Lord and bill Roe know I'm good at it.

Didn't check the dates when I went off half-cocked, Not the best situation there either, I guess, but at least the distances are different enough that there'd be less overlap in athletes, whereas 20k/HM is drawing from exactly the same talent pool.

Hey, maybe Ridgefield;-) Seriously, JB thought about Fairfield (which has hosted the women's half in the past) but prize $$ might be an issue there, unless they diverted the open purse to U.S. women's only.

Philly Half...good race, timing is pretty good as well.

Usually lots of fast times, and I believe now run by Elite Racing.

Is everyone missing the point? There is a 20km on Sept. 5th. The 5km is 5 days later. Why add Philly? Just my opinion, but Des Moines cancelling out is a blessing in disguise in more ways than one. As Will said, KC is on board for next year. It may be too late to add a half for the spring this year. I know it would piss off several of my athletes if they suddenly had to re-arrange a racing schedule over the next 6-8 weeks. Fairfield may be an idea, but it won't be a big time affair.

I understand that the whole truth is that Steve B did get the ok from the local USATF rep that he could be out on his bike.

Love fest?? I Know that Steve B has contributed more to Iowa running than probably anyone in Iowa in the last 20 years, and I respect both his passion and his honesty.

The whole truth too was that he was a sponsor the first year, but got burned by the race, but we wouldn't want to tell the whole truth, just parts of it.

please do tell us mike.

Look out, there is an effort to rescue my marathon!

The Des Moines event faces cancellation due to lack of sponsorship, an organizer says.

By JASON CLAYWORTH

REGISTER STAFF WRITER

March 28, 2005

Mayor Frank Cownie today will call together a group of city and business advocates in a last-ditch effort to save the Des Moines Marathon, he said Sunday.

"There is a real broad base of enthusiasm for this event and at the same time disappointment that the plug may be pulled," Cownie said.

The 26.2-mile event last year attracted nearly 3,100 participants, which brought an estimated $400,000 in extra business, restaurant, hotel and retail sales to Des Moines.

Last week, Helene Neville, the event's founder and race director, said the three-year-old annual race, scheduled for Sept. 18, is ending because of a lack of sponsorship support.

The possible loss of the event would be tragic to the city, Cownie said. It has attracted a nationwide following that has elevated Des Moines' reputation, he said.

"I understand that they have no sponsors. That's problematic," Cownie said. "There are a whole number of people interested in running this event, so what can we do to make this continue to happen?"

In 2003 and 2004, Mediacom was the marathon's title sponsor, which provided $25,000 a year. So far, Mediacom and other businesses have not agreed to sponsor this year's marathon.

Cownie said he will meet today with representatives from the Greater Des Moines Partnership, Greater Des Moines Convention and Visitors Bureau, and the city's park and recreation department.

The talks will range from having another group take over the event to the formation of a new marathon, he said.

Neville said she will be involved in the talks and will cooperate to relinquish power and ownership of the activity. Neville, who is a nurse, launched the first marathon in 2002. She said she and about a dozen other supporters have volunteered time and money to keep the project afloat.

"When I did this, it was just to get it going and lay a foundation that would work like a well-greased machine and go on" without me, Neville said.

Critics of Neville have said she has alienated supporters. In 2003, for example, Neville and city leaders butted heads over a nearly $15,000 bill to the city largely for police and traffic enforcement.

Dave Lipinski, a Des Moines Marathon supporter from New Hartford, said Neville needed to work more closely with groups that support the marathon. He emphasized, however, that people should give Neville credit for "the fact that she did something for Des Moines that many people said she couldn't."

"A marathon in Des Moines will go on regardless of its current setup," Lipinski said. "I really believe that."

I just saw on the news that the mayor is getting involved and IMT insurance is going to sponsor it. Hopefully though the race will continue.

Hey Bobbenhouse,

I know run4life is you. It is so obvious. It's how you operate - hiding in the shadows, but disseminating bs anonymously to benefit yourself.

Why don't you tell everyone the real truth about why Neville HAD to give the marathon away. Tell everyone how it was you who set out to sabotage it from day one because you and your ego weren't allowed entry. You're a jealouse, vindictive mother f***er who would just assume step on people to get ahead instead of being a human being and work with them. Steve's way or the highway.

I saw you on the Jerry Lewis telethon and now I understand why you do the sleazy things that you do (behind someone's back) - you look like a wimpy, limp-dicked, weak, pussy ass who has to suck ass to get ahead.

You're an embarrassment to yourself and all "shoe salesmen" everywhere.

bump. i love bobenhouse bashing

bump back at ya. glad to know i'm not "Home Alone" AAAAAHH