The Trials and Tribulations of Running YouTubers

I agree that he probably shouldn’t be running ultramarathons, but he’s not a pro runner — he’s a YouTuber with almost 300,000 followers. I don't think many of his followers care if he never runs under 2:45 again. And why would that even matter to anyone? His job is to make videos, not to win races. I think he knows himself that he’s never going to run a 2:25 marathon again, but personally, I’m completely fine with that and I don’t expect it from him.

In his recent video he even said something along the lines of knowing that ultras aren’t his strength, and he wants to focus on marathons for a bit. It seemed obvious to me that Comrades was kind of a bucket list thing for him, and personally I think it was good to see him grind it out, and actually make the start and finish lines, especially after last year. He even said at the start that he had a time goal, but actually his main goal was just to finish the thing. I can think of other YouTubers who may have chucked the towel in on the course when they saw their goal time was well out of reach.

I prefer to see him come across as a real person rather than coming out with the ‘took a swing’-type rubbish. As has been said, he’s not a pro runner but he makes a living from running, and he seems genuine with no shilling, so credit to him on that. I think the majority of his viewers won’t care if he never runs a PB again.

Do you even think Floberg makes it to Chicago?

He's had 1 day off after Grandma's then back with 5 miles easy and 30 min strength training saying "I will be the fittest I've ever been in October" - he's already been in "2:30 shape" so is he expecting 2:20 shape?

He just ran another 10 miles today saying he is in a "base building phase" and wants to hit 50-70 miles a week. He's only 16 weeks out from Chicago.

If he makes it to Chicago he will be a shell of a man. He will get ill or injured during this block. He will run too much, he won't listen to his body because he'll just "go one more" - he'll run his workouts so hard he'll throw up. He has messed about and wasted about 3 months of what could have been good training and he realises this and will overcompensate

I hope Ben Parkes doesn't read this thread. I don't think he could handle it

I like Ben Parkes, as sad as it sounds his early videos were amazing to me just getting into running. Now that I’ve progressed they just aren’t relevant to me so I no longer watch.

I do genuinely feel sorry for him, getting a serious injury that derails your goals and ambitions must be extremely hard to take and move on from. Not only that but I’m sure he can’t go to any running related event or park in London without being badgered by people asking for photos or stopping to chat.

What I don’t understand though is how these races are approached. It’s the same as all the other YouTubers. They know they aren’t in shape, or have been unwell leading up to the race, or the conditions are unfavourable but still go off too fast. If it’s a bucket race and you aren’t feeling up to it, just jog it. Most of his viewers would still enjoy it if he jogged around at 5:30-6:00/km and I’m sure for it would be far more enjoyable than slogging it out for 30-50k.

I modified it a bit. now it's applicable to any "pro runner" youtuber

I should also say that I haven’t personally heard Ben Parkes talk about any big time goals like sub-2:25 or OTQ (I know he’s British). He makes things difficult for himself in his own head because he puts so much pressure on himself, and he needs to realize, as I said, that maybe only a few percent of his followers actually care about what time he runs or whether he sets a personal best. He just needs to relax and downshift in life. Then there are YouTubers like Phily and Floberg, who talk about crazy goals and come up with all sorts of excuses – but I haven’t heard Ben say anything like that; it’s all just in his own head.

Have you heard that Aubrey (Bigger Than Running) has started talking in his videos about how he's now being bullied online because he gets free sponsored trips and marathon entries to events? He even says it's outright racism. I couldn't care less about anyone's skin color or where someone comes from, but I do think it's completely fair to point out when someone receives free sponsored gifts while also praising products. That’s not automatically racism. He’s like a walking marketing agency, yet supposedly no one is allowed to criticize him for it. I used to follow him at first because he was a positive figure, but I just can’t anymore — it’s gotten to be too much.

The one thing you can say about this thread is that we don't discriminate! Everyone gets a bashing here.

I can imagine these shoetubers hear about this thread and think "I wonder if they're talking about me" and are absolutely shocked and appalled to see what people have written.

I’m going to be an outlier here I reckon but I think Floberg will hit his goal in Chicago.

My prediction - 2:28:49

Let’s all make predictions and come back to this later. Money where your mouths are folks.
I'm sure we will be all watching the video when it drops either way.

Yes. He's really taken selling out to a new level!

2:33:45. I think he's pretty much going to plateau until he gets his head out of his own ass. The setup at Mckirdy was the best possible scenario to break 2:30 and while Chicago is definitely a fast course it's not 100% perfect like Mckirdy.

spencer and allie's house cost $730k. ok so not something ridiculous like $1m+...still pricey with today's interest rates imo. i am fairly impressed/surprised they can buy something like that if they aren't having family help out. maybe they do have parents pitching in though..who knows. either way congrats to them but i really wonder if they're pulling in like 200k/yr gross income together from all their youtube and sponsors..which i'd be impressed by since that's solid 'household' income for not working traditional jobs...or are they maybe only making something like <100k/yr combined.

I wouldn't be surprised if they're pulling in $200k each. Or maybe $250k for Allie and $150k for Spencer. Their channels are well monetized.

My guess is that was Thomas from Believe in the Run!

They don't make anything close to that. Allie did a YouTube video about her earnings a few months ago.

Really enjoying the videos by the Scottish guy Ryan Thomson. He ran a big PR in the 10000m in 28.57 and comes across as an inspirational and honest guy. Also a bit of banter going on between him and RanToJapan to be the fastest UK Ginger YouTuber.

Shoetubers must do fairly well. I imagine the majority of their earnings come from the influencer marketing, not YouTube ad revenue.

If you take Ben is selling, he's shilling: socks, watches, caps, cameras, worthless recovery supplements. By far, this will make up the majority of his income.

You'd have to think, with his partner being able to quit her job they are earning in the 60k + range. Spence and Ali could well be in a similar ballpark!