Is it just us, or are their less super elite African runners coming for the US road scene? Why?

I live in the US, was born in the US and have lived in the US my entire life except when my parents controlled where I lived.

Another incorrect post earlier about going to Europe for the money.

Outside of a few half marathons and the big marathons, most European road races have smaller purses, often to top five only. Case in point: Raymond Magut last year ran two halves in 60:12 and 60:00 and by finishing 6th made no money.

I think you've nailed something here. A selling point for road racing used to be that your average runner gets to line up with some of the best in the world. That's not really so true if you've got 5,000 people in the race lined up behind some of the best in the world and never see them. And it doesn't seem to matter to most road racers. I read once that most of them leave the race without knowing who won or how fast they ran. I've not seen much evidence that having some sub 30:00 guys win your 10 km is going to attract more entrants. You probably can do that better with en route bands and bigger goody bag. Prize money shrinks so it makes no sense to send gobs on air fare to get to one. I wonder what professional road racing will look like in five years but I don't see it as a growth industry.

Couldn't said it better! Why pay a 2000$ flight ticket to run 60' half to only pick up 1000$ prize money! Nowadays some races are even asking to pay for entry fees! Ridiculous, the US is becoming a cheap market, it's better to run in Turkey or Spain instead!

As the guy who coordinated one of the most competitive international road race elite fields in the US this year, I can verify that what this guy said is true.

1. Visas are tough to get. We lost out on multiple athletes for this very reason.

2. travel is very expensive. In many cases double what it was in January for Kenya to Doha to major east coast city. if you have to book late these prices are even higher.

3. Small races are struggling and unable to be as generous in their travel budgets. Most race registration is still down around 50-75% of pre-pandemic numbers.

4. If you don’t have a shot at the big money, you don’t go. If you won $2500 but it cost you 3K to fly to the US, what’s the point.

5. Geopolitical challenges are real. COVID, civil wars, this stuff impacts people.

6. Worlds were at a weird time. Many racers peaked for their trials and are toast now.

7. Many races are focusing on US based international athletes or US citizens thinking it will grab larger headlines or have a better story to tell.

Factor in some of the races that will demand to withhold 30% for taxes for foreign athletes, most of which cannot file for a tax refund because they cannot get an EIN.

Then a race like Columbus Half won’t even comp an entry for even a 60 flat guy. $85 entry fee plus they require USATF membership which adds another $65.

since when is an On shoe a "super shoe" ? That's probably why he ran so slow.

They are not gone. If you look at recent results you will see that many of them still compete. However, the biggest difference is that once the pandemic hit, many of of them stopped training to work 10-12 hour shifts a day. With races gone and prize money purses reduced, there was no incentive for them to keep training at a high level. Many of them used to support themselves off prize money alone, but for now, that is not possible to the same extent it was pre-covid. I know this because many of them are my friends and training partners. Being successful in distance running is a luxury, it is not a poor man’s sport, in this country at least.

Has anyone mentioned the WADA testing lab in Nairobi?

Who cares about visas, have them come through the border

The economies of East African nations have also been on the rise recently. Economic need was what drove them to distance running in the first place. Now they can make decent salaries in professional positions at home, where they don't take on as much risk and can stay with their families/communities. The opportunity cost of being a professional runner is now much higher, while simultaneously the reward is lower. It's an easy decision to make.

Its because NYRR removed local prize money. NYRR has gone down hill. They need a new elite athlete coordinator.

NYRR pays- 10s of thousands in appearance fees to white american runners, but denies entry to local qualified ethiopians

The elite coordinator sam grotewald apparently has made very nasty anti black comments to local club manager over the years.. Once while very drunk

It is a poor man’s sport in the regard that you can train at any time without any real facility. I know because I’ve been poor my entire life, you can still get your miles and workouts in despite the infrastructure. What could potentially hold someone back from their goals is the other 10 hours in a day where they need to be generating income. but it’s also not a man excuse.

What value do local Ethiopians bring to a race? Good for the sport to see RDs investing more in Americans.

The point is it is discriminatory in nature to deny the same entries.... Also, we are a country of immigrants. Also the faster athletes should be accepted,,, A 2:13 african who is here and runs locally should not be denied while a 2:20 american accepted

Its RACIST

Agents are very busy looking for men that look like women.

No it isn’t. Americans are all different races. RDs aren’t dumb in questioning why they would waste money on D level Ethiopians, when they can support the careers of Americans who bring value to an event and can help promote it.