This is so dumb. Major marathons spend money on advertising to get people to sign up. Getting influencers on board gives them more advertising and more people signing up. More people signing up means more money in the budget, including for the things competitive runners like. Influencers increase the event's aura.
I somewhat agree but also disagree. I think when an influencer runs Boston-Chicago-NYC all in the same year, it makes these GIANT races seem less special. Like I understand training and dedicating your training to ONE WMM, but when you start lining multiple WMM's in a single year, to me, it makes them seem less special.
I've said this on other threads- many hobby joggers and the general public don't understand WHY world class (and even half way decent) runners can only run 2-3 a year and not year after year.
These people deflate the value of training and racing to the best of your ability.
I somewhat agree but also disagree. I think when an influencer runs Boston-Chicago-NYC all in the same year, it makes these GIANT races seem less special. Like I understand training and dedicating your training to ONE WMM, but when you start lining multiple WMM's in a single year, to me, it makes them seem less special.
I've said this on other threads- many hobby joggers and the general public don't understand WHY world class (and even half way decent) runners can only run 2-3 a year and not year after year.
These people deflate the value of training and racing to the best of your ability.
YES! The marathon distance (and the training) demands respect, and the recovery also demands respect. Periodization in training is something influencers cannot understand. I guess it's hard to get "likes" and "views" when you are taking a few weeks off from running. So I guess these influencers think the best solution is to never fully recover and keep those "Medal Monday" posts coming.
they are. free entry in return for a shared post to their thousands of braindead sheep i mean followers.
Free entry plus $500 for flight and one night at a hotel for a bigtime influencer to make a video or two that hits 20k+ interested viewers or multiple IG post that each get 5-10k likes?? That seems like an absolute bargain.
Bargain for who? Certainly not the race directors. What does the NYC Marathon gain by having somebody post a video of them running the race? It's not like people are going to think, "Wow! New York has a marathon? I never knew that. I think I will sign up next year." The race will sell out (and therefore maximize profits) every year whether some narcissistic guy with a GoPro makes a video or not. It might benefit a smaller race that is still trying to grow, but not the big ones that always sell out.
It blows my mind that some people pay hundreds of dollars to sign up for a marathon and walk the entire thing. That is one expensive, LONG walk.
That's baffling but then, they get the finisher's medal and don't tell anyone that they walked.
I have a friend with 4 marathons "under her belt" and one was under 6 hours- very high 5 hours. But in her mind (and social media posts) she's as much a marathoner as my other female friend who run sub 2:50.
She even has video if herself walking then, breaking into a sprint at the end and people in awe- How could you have such a kick at the end of a marathon!?
I think 3-4 hour marathoners are the least likely to consider themselves "real runners", being in that group myself. I know it's a big range. It's fast enough to require some level of training for most people to reach and those that put in some level of training but either don't put in a ton or don't have great genetics are most likely to be looking ahead at people faster. The insanely slow people generally have a bigger net for what they consider a "real runner" and I'd imagine most sub 3 people think they reach the threshold. Being solidly in between those groups I kind of feel like a clown, but I'm hoping having some real consistency for a while can make me feel less like one.
they're losers and narcissists. ignore their posts. better yet, don't use social media at all then you won't have to ignore them.
You can ignore them on social media, but the problem is they incessantly film themselves while at these events and while running. That dipsh!t trackclubbabe had to record herself going over the finish line at NYC. As if the course isn’t crowded enough? I’m sure tons of other “influencers” did it too. They all have their phones out while running.
Cannot stand these people taking up breathing space, let alone being oblivious to their surroundings.
they're losers and narcissists. ignore their posts. better yet, don't use social media at all then you won't have to ignore them.
You can ignore them on social media, but the problem is they incessantly film themselves while at these events and while running. That dipsh!t trackclubbabe had to record herself going over the finish line at NYC. As if the course isn’t crowded enough? I’m sure tons of other “influencers” did it too. They all have their phones out while running.
Cannot stand these people taking up breathing space, let alone being oblivious to their surroundings.
Just another reason why it is so frustrating. OR the folks who think they are some celebrity or something and have a personal videographer biking alongside the course. Like bro, you are not professional, just run your race and stop with the race day coverage like you are Kipchoge or something.
Are these individuals ruining the aura of these major events? Some people prepare and train their entire life to participate in just one of these events, and then you see these bang average individuals completing 3 or 4 Major Marathons in one calendar year.
Who is preparing and training their entire life to run just one of these events? I would hope everyone gets to live a more interesting life than that.
Are online influencers ruining the World Major Marathons?
I am seeing more and more people on social medias running Boston, Berlin, Chicago, and NYC all in the same calendar year. Are these individuals ruining the aura of these major events? Some people prepare and train their entire life to participate in just one of these events, and then you see these bang average individuals completing 3 or 4 Major Marathons in one calendar year. Seems like they are trying to normalize these huge events. Just my opinion but would like to know if others are frustrated by these online influencers.
I like to compare it to the average "duffer" who struggles to break 100 in golf- they understand that the guy who's in the 70's is good and the pros are amazing.
I think the average tennis player realizes how much better the pros and the best local players are.
One "problem" we have is the "a mile is a mile" attitude and the fact that everyone who finishes is somehow a good runner just because they finished.
This is a weird comparison because the 100 golfer and average tennis player are thousands of times closer to a 70s golfer and the best local players than a 70s golfer or best local players are to a professional.
Are these individuals ruining the aura of these major events? Some people prepare and train their entire life to participate in just one of these events, and then you see these bang average individuals completing 3 or 4 Major Marathons in one calendar year.
Who is preparing and training their entire life to run just one of these events? I would hope everyone gets to live a more interesting life than that.
Pretty much everyone is did NOT run in college but manages to qualify for Boston has had to dedicate SIGNIFICANT months of their life to training.
I think when an influencer runs Boston-Chicago-NYC all in the same year, it makes these GIANT races seem less special. Like I understand training and dedicating your training to ONE WMM, but when you start lining multiple WMM's in a single year, to me, it makes them seem less special.
I'm struggling to understand what your complaint is. Is it really "I can only afford filet mignon once a month, so it's really special to me, so when I hear that some rich people eat it every week it makes my filet mignon taste less special"?
Meaning, especially is admittedly arbitrary pursuits like running, is something we create ourselves. If you value something less highly just because some other people don't value it in the same way, then you should think carefully about why you're pursuing it in the first place.
Do I find influencers annoying? Heck yes. But the number, frequency, or speed of their WMM runs has no impact on me.
I've said this on other threads- many hobby joggers and the general public don't understand WHY world class (and even half way decent) runners can only run 2-3 a year and not year after year.
These people deflate the value of training and racing to the best of your ability.
YES! The marathon distance (and the training) demands respect, and the recovery also demands respect. Periodization in training is something influencers cannot understand. I guess it's hard to get "likes" and "views" when you are taking a few weeks off from running. So I guess these influencers think the best solution is to never fully recover and keep those "Medal Monday" posts coming.
you ever hear of yuki kawauchi? dum-dum get off this message board. people are different & have different goals
It's really very simple. Shoe companies pay to sponsor marathons and put their logos everywhere. Then they bring in influencers to make videos showing their logo everywhere. It's just advertising. Running has a business side like every other sport.
Have you seen all the chatter on Threads about whether or not the BAA should be giving running influencers entries, without having qualified for the Boston M...
Are online influencers ruining the World Major Marathons?
I am seeing more and more people on social medias running Boston, Berlin, Chicago, and NYC all in the same calendar year. Are these individuals ruining the aura of these major events? Some people prepare and train their entire life to participate in just one of these events, and then you see these bang average individuals completing 3 or 4 Major Marathons in one calendar year. Seems like they are trying to normalize these huge events. Just my opinion but would like to know if others are frustrated by these online influencers.
Blogsnark on Reddit has the same issue with instafluencers like AOTR, Choi, etc.
Don't worry about what the "influencers" are doing.
During 'Rona, the shutdown and influx of new shoe technology made watching shoetubers interesting on occasion. The channels tended to be organic and original and less money driven back then. Many of the content creators were in it for genuine reasons and actually motivated people to get out the door and exercise.
Now, shoetubers are all generic. The channels are incentivized to get clicks and keep free product coming in. Each follows the same format. Nothing is original. None of the opinions offered are unbiased, regardless of the disclaimers, if any of the legally required disclaimers are even offered. The channels all promote shallow, narcissistic, and materialistic behavior. Seth became a Running Wearhouse hack that's created his own running cult. Kofuzi sells out to whoever offers him free trips. Matt Chio is whatever the hell brand of terrible influencer he is. Don't worry about the shallow stuff these people are doing.
We need studs like beersandmiles and runningart2004 to have big followings. I enjoy their posts here (and both are OTQ guys). No sarcasm, for real. beers even mentioned he loves shi1iiitposting as well and I'd love to see more of it :)
Any business is going to eventually market to the lowest common denominator. I guess you could try to start a small "boutique marathon" as a counter to the mass marathon, you just better have a big sponsor with deep pockets.
Are online influencers ruining the World Major Marathons?
I am seeing more and more people on social medias running Boston, Berlin, Chicago, and NYC all in the same calendar year. Are these individuals ruining the aura of these major events? Some people prepare and train their entire life to participate in just one of these events, and then you see these bang average individuals completing 3 or 4 Major Marathons in one calendar year. Seems like they are trying to normalize these huge events. Just my opinion but would like to know if others are frustrated by these online influencers.
You can't just log on and register for any of these marathons like you would a little neighborhood 5K- so how are they getting in?
Also, if you've been paying any attention the past few years, the new kick is that marathons are for everyone! The common folk, non-runners, it's inclusive! Lots of people aren't really runners, they just do marathons. Look at all the coverage and this is who is highlighted. Especially New York.
I think a lot of the influencers have networks with race companies, running media, etc. so they get perks and free entries. Think RW editors, media pros, shoe reps, etc. who also happen to be runners. Instagram is full of them...that is how some people (even Peloton people) get into big races like Grandma's Marathon w/o elite bibs.