There should be time bonus incentives. Like in nascar you get money for leading at a certain lap and then scaled bonuses for how fast the finishing time.
This, I could get behind. If they're going to drop the 5k, add points towards the Slam title and Cash in the form of in-race checkpoints. First lap, 1500, 2600, and finish. Everybody wins because the racers with smaller chances of winning the Slam will likely lead the pack out faster and go for the mid-race sprint bonuses as they fight for 5th-8th place.
Been saying this too.
Wish they would just have two 1500s & still have the distance guys run 2 races.
The athletes kinda did it to themselves. When Grant didn't go with the leaders at all in the first 3k, because he had the $100k in the bag, it became very apparent that changes needed to be made (if it wasn't already obvious from the 14 min. 5k a few days before).
I like the 3 and the 5k when they're run honestly, but when you see them jogged and then hear the competitors just talk about money afterwards, it make the sport feel weird.
Good post.
I’ll say it: HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!
Remember when many of us TOLD THE BOARDS that if Fisher et al continued to embarrass the event group, it might be cut?
Remember when some people argued back that Grant Fisher should not run a step faster than he needed to to win the meet?
Becuase GST is only having 1 race at the long distance discipline they also cut the prize purse in half for that event only.
The prize structure for competitive running is a joke to begin with. I recall placing in a major marathon back in 2006 and it took 4 months to get paid I was beyond annoyed. Fast forward to winning a major poker tournament get paid cash day of $50k.
Becuase GST is only having 1 race at the long distance discipline they also cut the prize purse in half for that event only.
Kudos to Michael Johnson for the GST concept. That being said, there's absolutely NO excuse for changing the distance race format. How long has GST had to figure this out? Did MJ and the GST team NOT talk with elite distance athletes about this? They're just NOW figuring this out? If they did have some input from knowledgeable distance runners, who were they? and has anyone told them they're idiots? I said from the start that the distance races needed to be ranked by a time=point formula. The faster you run, the more points you get...PERIOD!!! Between the two races, one of them is going to be fast, if you're a strength runner you NEED a hot pace, if you're a sit and kick runner you ain't driving the bus for a hot pace. Both tactics will need to show in one of the races, and if you can't figure which tactic suits you best you're just stupid and don't deserve the money.
This a bad look for GST. If you need to adjust the format, do it after the season, not during.