yeah it's so ridiculuous i don't believe it is true actually. i can't imagine either of those guys not running a race because of money. and i can't believe Boston would not allow them to race. someone is stirring trouble.
yeah it's so ridiculuous i don't believe it is true actually. i can't imagine either of those guys not running a race because of money. and i can't believe Boston would not allow them to race. someone is stirring trouble.
Nobody said the BAA had millions to spend on elite athlete appearance fees. However, they are the "owners" of the Boston Marathon. As such they are the only ones who are in the position to go out into the marketplace and offer sponsorship opportunities in the name of the marathon.
JH is not the title sponsor. They only took on the appearance money aspect for Boston in 1986 because the BAA wouldn't do it themselves. Remember, the BAA had to be dragged kicking and screaming into giving prize money by Mayor Ray Flynn in the first place. The JH was only protecting its investment by instituting appearance fees thru their clinic program.
The BAA should go out and get another sponsor to augment what the JH is already doing. This should increase the value of the JH sponsorship, and one would think they'd applaud the move. All the BAA need do is stop being the passive organizer of its own event, as that event loses ground in the race for marathon prestige. This is their rightful heritage.
Perhaps it's because they couldn't get BAA or Hancock to cover their travel costs. Obviously BAA and Hancock have a travel budget, but it may have been all gone by the time these guys contacted them.
If that's true, then that's pretty bogus. BAA wants to host the 2008 trials and they can't even cover travel for two Americans who have run under 2:15? NY, Chicago, and Twin Cities would make sure these guys were at their race.
yeah that sounds a little funny i agree since their travel costs would be so small compared to flying someone from Kenya. And Sell could easily make it given the money Brooks gives those guys. I say they are running.
Joe say:
\"Prize money makes it into the news. Appearance fees are secret. If you were writing checks for publicity purposes, you can only crow about the overt payments. So don\'t be so quick to assume the guy doesn\'t know how what he\'s doing.\"
Appearance fees bring the best runners (I don\'t believe the prize $$ alone will do that), and intriguing competition brings publicity.
Not sure that we have alot of intrigue as of yet.
I can not speak for Mark or Peter, but I can on behalf of Brian Sell. Brian Sell was treated extremely fair by Pat Lynch and offered a substantial appearance fee. Brian (and his lousy coaching staff) decided that he would have a tough time recoverying for the World Championships and representing his country is far more important than a payday to Brian. We have a few other athletes that are running and are treated like royalty by the B.A.A. We hope to return to Boston next year with Brian and Clint and Trent along with a few others that will hopefully have had breakthroughs over the next 12 months. That is of course if Boston is willing to have us.
Kevin Hanson
The Hansons' are the classiest thing I've seen in the running circus in some time --thank you.
I agree. As I read this board it always amuses me. It is refreshing to hear athletes and agents and coaches that are appreciative. Keep up the great job Hansons and you will always be welcome at races.
Why is there no love for Mark in Boston?
He lives in New England, trains in New England and he has a great following in the local running community.
He would be great for this years race bringing both local crowd appeal and international publicity to the event.