Yet he doesn't act a day over 25 or look a day over 65!
You mean under 65, right? Anyway, Thomas is running around WSER in a Hoka cowboy hat. I wonder how much Hoka paid for that! Probably a fair bit. Thomas may be annoying but you got to respect the hustle.
So a 16 year age difference. Probably not as much as people thought. I think they've been together for like 10 years, so ~28 and 44 when they got together? I think maybe that's a significant but not all that bad an age to start a relationship. By 28, somebody is independent, and by 44 people know what they don't want. So I can see how it happens. Still, Thomas trying to act young, hip and cool makes him seem older than he is IMO.
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ItsOnAndy's quite likeable, has good video editing skills and above average camera presence (though that's not saying much given the average running YouTuber). What he unfortunately lacks is running talent. That's not a death sentence (see: Fordy aka Everyday Runner, though part of his success is that he got there early) but it's still a useful ingredient that can shift channel growth from linear to "explosively exponential". Ran To Japan is a great example of someone who has the full package - insane running talent, good editing and video pacing, great camera presence. If Jake also had to pump out 60 mile plus weeks to squeeze out a sub 20, he'd probably still have a decent audience, but an order of magnitude less I'd wager.
All that to say no, ItsOnAndy won't become the greatest Youtuber of all time.
Here's the thing, a lot, and I mean a lot of people want to watch someone relatable. Ran To Japan, Bester, Ben Felton are OK but if I'm a guy desperately trying to break 20 mins for 5k they'd rather watch Andy.
The reason MARM, It's On Andy and Crown My Run are popular is they're normal people with a sense of humour, a bit of extra timber, jobs, kids and are honest about messing up training or pacing in a race. Even Ran To Japan has some charisma and adds something to his videos.
I can imagine and Bester to be all running. Nothing else to talk about. It is them. It is their entire identity. Every argument would be settled by "And what's your 5k PB?" - they come across as bores. There is entertainment beyond running in MARM and It's on Andy. Felton and Bester would be bores down the pub
Generally agree with everything you've said, though I guess the point I'm making is that the Running YouTuber space is so full of "relatable" mediocre runners that it's hard to envisage any one channel rising above the others without a special ingredient such as incredible talent. At this point, in a completely saturated space, you need the full package to properly take off, or at least a particular ingredient that sets you apart whether it's the sardonic wit of MARM, or the observational and self-deprecating humour of CrownMyRun (who is very fortunate to have content-generating siblings). Otherwise, you're just another everyman YouTuber that starts every other video with "It's Saturday, so that can only mean one thing... parkrun day!".
Nothing wrong with that, mind, and I'm sure the majority of these channels are happy with their four-figure subs without any aspirations of "taking off", particularly those with high engagement (Tim Grose, Two Running Brooms etc).
What does a 54 year old do when he's unable to make money from running or YouTube anymore. Approaching 60 and she's leaves him for someone younger because she doesn't want to babysit an old man.
I used to try and set a Strava CR on every disused railway. So running every one was a sort of aim at least around me in Surrey. Then I got older and Strava became bigger but sometimes I still try. The Brooms now have a secondary history type channel with some old railway content. I get the feeling most of the YouTubers like me with say under 10K subs do it for a bit of fun and personal challenge. If not then I worry for them. I have little or no interest in being flown about to try on a new shoe with the usual crowd. I used to be very shy and still am really but now at least feel bit easier in front of a camera although still feels hard at times. I think the younger ones trying to make a full time job of it is tough not least the observations they get on here! I do wonder about some when the PB days dry up and/or they have done all the marathon majors or other big races. Generally though the biggest channels seem to have some talent for running. It is bit like golf YouTube channels. I play golf a bit (14 effective handicap) but unlike running I don’t really want to watch videos of golfers worse than me for more than one joke shot as I learn nothing. At least running has some advantage there.
What does a 54 year old do when he's unable to make money from running or YouTube anymore. Approaching 60 and she's leaves him for someone younger because she doesn't want to babysit an old man.
Speaking of Thomas, there was lots of Thomas wearing a giant cowboy hat during the golden hour of Western States today! It's almost like he maximized his positioning to get free advertising of his Hoka Believe in the Run shirt.
I used to be a big fan of Matt Runs, the bus driver guy, but I can't help feeling a little suspicious about his gains and the fact he doesn't run slower than about 4:30 per KM at any point
Not so sure, the guys training consistency has been phenomenal and he has also got to roughly this shape a couple times. He has had a significant weight loss as well, when setting his previous pbs he was at least a stone or something heavier so
So do we think RantoJapan has signed a pro deal (or something similar of sorts?)
Latest video says he's gone to Seattle for "International business" and to fulfil one of his dreams - he's always stated that going pro was one of them.
Aren't Brooks based in Seattle? Missed opportunity for Mizuno or Asics to not sign him up what with the Japanese connection.
So do we think RantoJapan has signed a pro deal (or something similar of sorts?)
Latest video says he's gone to Seattle for "International business" and to fulfil one of his dreams - he's always stated that going pro was one of them.
Aren't Brooks based in Seattle? Missed opportunity for Mizuno or Asics to not sign him up what with the Japanese connection.
I think this has to be the case. Also assumed it was Brooks.
Watching Olivia Rodrigo at Glastonbury last night it’s quite clear to me that these running YouTubers like Culling, Bowden and even Holly Archer lack the star quality and maybe some of the sex appeal to go on and become true superstars (sorry wokies I’m a red blooded male and they haven’t outlawed looking at women yet!!)
Watching Olivia Rodrigo at Glastonbury last night it’s quite clear to me that these running YouTubers like Culling, Bowden and even Holly Archer lack the star quality and maybe some of the sex appeal to go on and become true superstars (sorry wokies I’m a red blooded male and they haven’t outlawed looking at women yet!!)
It's not against the law to be pathetic and cringe so don't worry, you're safe.
If you have any daughters, I hope they're judged on merit and substance, not just what they look like. Unfortunately, thanks to dinosaurs like you, it's never likely to happen.
So do we think RantoJapan has signed a pro deal (or something similar of sorts?)
Latest video says he's gone to Seattle for "International business" and to fulfil one of his dreams - he's always stated that going pro was one of them.
Aren't Brooks based in Seattle? Missed opportunity for Mizuno or Asics to not sign him up what with the Japanese connection.
His Strava showed he was running around the Brooks HQ and ran with Zach Panning and CJ Albertson. He 100% signed something with Brooks.
Makes sense. Brooks has already shown they value social/Youtube presence when they gave Spencer/Athlete special a 1 year contract. Jake is not quite on Zach/CJ's level but he has a shot to get there. The pro contract is added motivation so it's a win-win for both parties.
Seems that that weekend was a Brooks media weekend for the launch of the new Hyperion Elite 5 - RTJ appears in Kofuzi's YT about it. So maybe it's nothing more than a media freebie. I guess only time will tell
Watching Olivia Rodrigo at Glastonbury last night it’s quite clear to me that these running YouTubers like Culling, Bowden and even Holly Archer lack the star quality and maybe some of the sex appeal to go on and become true superstars (sorry wokies I’m a red blooded male and they haven’t outlawed looking at women yet!!)
Bowden has the look (and attitude) of a 12 year old girl and I am sure that that, sadly, increases her views for certain "demographics"
If anybody wants to know what TL hears on occasion, check out Seth's new raw uncut race vlog. Nothing but heavy breathing and complaining about a 2 hour drive.
I think Floberg can be dramatic, but I do actually like some of his stuff.
However, his coaching is getting ridiculous. These guys who have been taking running seriously for a couple years think they can be coaches?
From what I understand, Clark started running a few years ago, and is now qualified to be a coach because he broke 2:30 in a marathon?
Then the cherry on top, Floberg's videographer, Cyrus, was just announced to be a coach helping with the training plans. This is a guy who isn't even a runner, just rides his bike around filming Floberg while he runs.
Floberg and Clark may or may not know anything about running, but this group is purely built through social media gravitas and hype. I don't think the training plans will be anything you can't download online, but the group chat, drama, and hype will be there.
It's just another revenue stream, not quality coaching from experts.