Peachtree 10k gets rid of noname Kenyans by restricting $ to 'Mericans

not so mfast wrote:

You made some good general points re: marketability of athletes, both American and foreign, but I think you're overstating the case. US-only prize money is one year. It will revert back to an open competition next year. Peachtree (and their sponsors see value in having the best competitors compete. Now about adding value to the elite end of things..... [quote]hulksmash wrote:

I don't see them reverting back. New Atlanta Track Club head, Rich Kenah (of course a former American Olympian himself) sees the value in Americans inspiring American kids. I could see this happening elsewhere, as races start to question why they should "throw money away" at elites who do nothing to inspire future generations.

All this confirms is that Americans are too slow and need assistance programs to ensure they feel good about themselves.Also, why the attention to "Kenyans?" I usually see Ethiopians winning the small time American races.

Nutella1 wrote:

Yep, Kenyans can still run but won't get a single dime.

http://running.competitor.com/2014/03/news/big-u-s-prize-peachtree-road-race_97156

The future of 'Merican road racing?

asking the question wrote:

Jingoism or overwhelming nationalism, yes, but not racism.

It's discrimination that targets black runners only. Obvious racism.

I don't have a problem with US money only - it feels a little weird, but so do many things. Like virtually every race being won by two countries - that feels weird to me.

I don't have a problem with supporting local athletes.

Good move. But Kenyans should have already been banned from international athletic competition due to the truckload of Kenyan distance runners who have tested positive for PEDs within the last 2 years. Unlike the IAAF, it looks as though the Peachtree road race organisers have actually grown a pair.

agip wrote:

I don't have a problem with supporting racism.

Fixed it for you.

There is only one solution

America must realize that it is into jogging as a sport and that long-distance racing is pointless for the vast majority who are simply too big to ever have a chance against the skinny people.

America doesn't have enough natural skinnies to compete. Most American "skinnies" are really just underdeveloped teenagers who haven't filled out and are pushed into distance running because there is no other sport for them. Once they get older, nature forces them to move on.

The solution is to forget about jogging and get Americans crazed about sprinting and middle distance. Instead of just getting sprinters from football, and middle distance from washed-out sprinters and long distance, get all the people into running fast. The two basic events should be the 400 and the 800. End the marathon as a rite of passage and introduce the sub-60 400, which appallingly few Americans have ever done even though it's no more difficult to achieve than a marathon. Have the New York Time Trials with 400 meter heats all day for thousands of entrants, with music, beer and lots of awards.

With millions of Americans capable of running sub-60, plenty will go on to 19, 44, 43, 1:42, and 3:30.

Sounds racist to me

Racist? Hardly! The US is the biggest melting pot of CITIZENS from around the world.

Think about this- only American citizens and green card holders (and whatever other unique categories) can "work" in the US. Imagine if anyone from around the world could come over to work and make money in the US- it would drive down wages to the minimum (foreign workers from poor countries would work for cheaper), take away jobs from American citizens, and infuriate Americans. This is the case with running. Why we don't question this, when there's restrictions to work and have a job in the US, is beyond me. We shouldn't continue to throw money away at non-Americans who give nothing back to our society and sport (beside the taxes they pay).

baby boy wrote:

Sounds racist to me

It isn't racist because US citizens are eligible to win prize money regardless of race and because non US citizens are not eligible to win prize money regardless of race. It has to do with citizenship - not race. Last I checked, there is quite a mix of races in the US.

Well, they will revert back next year just like Bix 7 has done in the past. We'll see how Peachtree works out as an US only race. Throwing money away at elites knows no national boundaries. It's not a given an American in 8th place is inspirational to future generations nor a good value for money spent. People gravitate toward the best. It's a competition, bring the best to get the best.

I don't see them reverting back. New Atlanta Track Club head, Rich Kenah (of course a former American Olympian himself) sees the value in Americans inspiring American kids. I could see this happening elsewhere, as races start to question why they should "throw money away" at elites who do nothing to inspire future generations.

http://tonireavis.com/2014/03/20/atlanta-track-club-goes-red-white-blue-for-july-4th/

[/quote]

Ralph Wiggum wrote:

Makes sense. People want to see people they can relate to. Not some generic Kenyan that barley speaks broken English.

white people can only relate to white people?

I don't see how you can not meet the needs of all involved when dealing with a sport in decline? These are not best of times they're the worst of times.

It could be that things can never revert (to the 80's boom) and everybody is just whistling past the graveyard. But it could well come down to doing things the way people want or not doing them at all.

If you're fortunate to have a good event in your community and the bills are paid and attendance is high your Org. should try and keep it that way.

The East Africans can prove their superiority at every Worlds T&F C. They don't have to do the same in every community in America.

dribblingbob wrote:

...not to get my ass handed to me by some no-name college kid who has barley had any real life experience!

Ralph Wiggum wrote:

Not some generic Kenyan that barley speaks broken English.

Is barely the most difficult word to spell on the planet?

sbeefyk1 wrote:

dribblingbob wrote:

...not to get my ass handed to me by some no-name college kid who has barley had any real life experience!

Ralph Wiggum wrote:

Not some generic Kenyan that barley speaks broken English.

Is barely the most difficult word to spell on the planet?

Only by the retards on Letsrun.

No Name Needed wrote:

The future of 'Merican road racing?

If we can't beat em, let's kick em out!

Hope 8 Kenyans show up, pay to get in, and go 1-8.

Then they can give 9th place guy the check. Prove it a mockery.[/quote]

Yes

I think one might have been poking fun at the other.

Americans need special assistance and ethnic jingoism to win races ? We must be proud.

If this kind of ethnic jingoism takes hold and spreads to Europe it could be interesting. I wonder what would happen if some track meets in Europe start offering more money for European runners only.

The media will take note of this jingoism and it could be another black eye for a sport that has already suffered hundreds of black eyes.

How about the USTA kicking out all non-Americans for the US Open?

Then we can get the winner we want. And a guy we can market.

This years Peachtree winner should get asterisk next to name.