I’m not sure I understand the strategy Hocker/Kerr/Nuguse had in the 1500. They might have just cost themselves several thousands of dollars by letting it go to 3:35. Did they seriously think that was going to be fast enough?
Yeah but think about it - those guys are the contracted "racers" right? What do you think their individual "salaries" are for this? Kerr was in the initial signing announcement alongside SML - he must be getting 250k minimum for this before he even drops an ounce of sweat. And based on that Hocker is in the same ballpark after winning Paris and Yared not far behind (also all have Flynn as their agent).
So do you think those guys really care that much? It's the beginning of April. All their coaches have simply tried to fit this into training schedules so that it doesn't mess them up for August/September and honestly, the actual "Slam" prizemoney is just a nice bonus if it happens, if not no big deal. Take Kerr - even if he won today, how well is he realistically doing in the 800? Same with Nuguse. So they might have been middle of prize structure anyway at which point the difference between 4th and 6th is basically nothing to them - especially when factoring in their retainers.
This is the problem - if anyone was seriously expecting the best from these guys "as advertised", that was about as wishful thinking as possible. They don't care.
Agreed. They may have just been training through this. It’s a little odd though since Nuguse ran 3:46 like two months ago.
So, I'm enjoying dipping in to watch a race, then skipping over to watch basketball. Fourteen minutes between a 20 second race and a 50 second race. This is why track will never be a spectator sport.
track was a major spectator sport in the 50s and 60s
So, I'm enjoying dipping in to watch a race, then skipping over to watch basketball. Fourteen minutes between a 20 second race and a 50 second race. This is why track will never be a spectator sport.
track was a major spectator sport in the 50s and 60s
Yea, but people’s attention spans are much shorter these days.
For the second races in a grouping they should do what is done for the multi-event 800/1500 final race where they show real-time the placing based on points in the race, but do it with points and dollars as they run.
May not work for the short sprints, but definitely for anything ending with a 200 or 400 or more.
But, yeah, they also need to stop talking or asking about the money. I know it's a big deal, but the racing is why I'm here and what I want to know and hear about; the money is why the athletes are here. Money talk should be in the background during the event, and maybe discussed more in the in-between fluff pieces.
The racing is good. The race format is fun and interesting.
The production needs a lot of work. We need splits and estimates and speed est, etc, a la the Olympic and Worlds broadcasts. They need to more easily show the points, and maybe not focus on talking about the money but do show the money AFTER the points with each final race in a group.
It's fun. The presentation can be better. I am hopeful they will tweak it.
The atmosphere could also use some work. Maybe smaller stadiums so fans are more on top of the racers and the noise is more there? Maybe some lead-in racing from amateurs? I dunno.
I'll watch, though. I like it. I mean, we can complain about the presentations, but I've watched plenty of sketch FloTrack meets, indoor and outdoor (some of the indoor? WOOF!). This is fine. Can it be better? Yes, but it is fine. Definitely NOT the worst, but also definitely NOT the best.
I do like how there are high stakes for coming in 2nd or 3rd in the second race. And exceeding expectations for a weaker event.
They need to throw in the steeplechase and make some hurdler run it along with your regular 1500 and 5000 runner.
similar to multi events. Im pretty sure people have thought I was crazy celebrating like a madman when my pent kid comes across in 6th place in the 1500 to take the overall championshp.
Cole Hocker, the greatest racer over 1500. Give me a break. Serious beat down. Kerr, Yared and Hocker can get on their knees and thank Jakob for transforming the 1500. Yes, for now with Jakob pacing one of them will win the championship 1500s for now, sub 3:30. If they ran it the old way, Wanyonyi would be routinely wiping the floor with them. Wanyonyi will break the 800 world record and then I hope he sets his sights on the 1500 in future years.
Glad to see you aren’t overreacting to one race in April.
It’s Aptil is just a stupid argument. Nguse and Hocker just came off amazing indoor seasons. They are very fit and sharp. Wanyonyi’s victory is very impressive and significant should he consider competing over 1500 at some point in the future.
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