It would be interesting to see in future years if this increases participation of African elites in track and XC now that the major marathon majors are going this route.
It doesn't freaking matter. In the general sense, wheelchair racing is pretty much as appealing to tune-in to watch as footracing over the marathon distance. The racing is promoted and presented with poor production value to a miniscule audience. Outside of a couple dozen die-hard fanatics on sites like this one, nobody sees any issue with this move. I'm a lifelong fan and enjoy watching marathons when they're presented well and have no reaction to Kipchoge missing out on more prize money except maybe a shrug of the shoulders. You don't demand more respect or income, you have to command it. The sport's collective participants aren't coming up with workable innovation to improve its appeal to spectators, including the Letsrun cognoscenti.
Why are people intentionally missing the point? If Abbott wants to reduce their prize money to $0, that is fine, they are a private company and can spend their money how they choose. Bummer as a running fan, but ultimately not the biggest deal in the world.
The ISSUE stems from retroactively cutting prize money during this cycle, after the athletes have already run these races. Sure, Kipchoge probably is not hurting financially, but here are the next 5 athletes as of now that are getting prizes slashed (Tamirat Tola, Evans Chebet, Mosinet Geremew, Amos Kipruto, Mark Korir. Idk how they handle ties so just throwing them all in here). Highly doubtful that any of these guys are raking in cash, so cutting the series prize money after they have already run these races is BS.
The other issue is them trying to frame this is as some form of altruism by bringing wheelchair runners to parity with runners, when in reality they are just pocketing almost half a million dollars with these cuts. Abbott is a $172 billion dollar company, they seriously couldn't afford $500k to not screw over a bunch of African runners who probably made decisions regarding their race schedule based on expected series prize money. If they want to cut it during the next cycle thats fine, but the whole retroactive cuts and PR spin should leave a poor taste in anyone's mouth, regardless of whether you are a fan of these runners.
It doesn't freaking matter. In the general sense, wheelchair racing is pretty much as appealing to tune-in to watch as footracing over the marathon distance. The racing is promoted and presented with poor production value to a miniscule audience. Outside of a couple dozen die-hard fanatics on sites like this one, nobody sees any issue with this move. I'm a lifelong fan and enjoy watching marathons when they're presented well and have no reaction to Kipchoge missing out on more prize money except maybe a shrug of the shoulders. You don't demand more respect or income, you have to command it. The sport's collective participants aren't coming up with workable innovation to improve its appeal to spectators, including the Letsrun cognoscenti.
Why are people intentionally missing the point? If Abbott wants to reduce their prize money to $0, that is fine, they are a private company and can spend their money how they choose. Bummer as a running fan, but ultimately not the biggest deal in the world.
The ISSUE stems from retroactively cutting prize money during this cycle, after the athletes have already run these races. Sure, Kipchoge probably is not hurting financially, but here are the next 5 athletes as of now that are getting prizes slashed (Tamirat Tola, Evans Chebet, Mosinet Geremew, Amos Kipruto, Mark Korir. Idk how they handle ties so just throwing them all in here). Highly doubtful that any of these guys are raking in cash, so cutting the series prize money after they have already run these races is BS.
The other issue is them trying to frame this is as some form of altruism by bringing wheelchair runners to parity with runners, when in reality they are just pocketing almost half a million dollars with these cuts. Abbott is a $172 billion dollar company, they seriously couldn't afford $500k to not screw over a bunch of African runners who probably made decisions regarding their race schedule based on expected series prize money. If they want to cut it during the next cycle thats fine, but the whole retroactive cuts and PR spin should leave a poor taste in anyone's mouth, regardless of whether you are a fan of these runners.
Well why did they do it? The same reason anyone does anything: because they can. They hold all the power and that's precisely because they've been allowed to by athletes, agents, media, fans, etc. So what if they spin it in any direction, who's going to hold them accountable? Sure, get upset and up in arms if that makes you feel better, just acknowledge that it's not a constructive response. Yes, I know this is Letsrun.
I hate to break it to most of you but no one tunes in to watch marathons whether they are run on feet or in chairs. It is boring. I like training for and running marathons but why do I care who is at the front. I would prefer this prize money go to locals or age groupers or, even better, eliminate them to make entry fees cheaper.
Being in the hobby jogger's swag bag is better for most of these sponsors than being shown on a TV presentation no one cares about for a minute while some random runner races by.
I just can't bring myself to care about prize money at any race from your local Marathon to the world Marathon majors. I view these races as for the masses, those of us who start and aim for a 3-hour or 4 hour or 5 hour finish. We Are who coming to cities and spend money while the pros get comped and paid to be there.
I personally don't care if Marathon stopped giving any money to the winners and just made it about the athletic achievement. Sports are ruined by money from baseball to football to basketball. Keep them amateur and keep professional money out.
I hear you dude and agree. Stop trying to make marathons spectator events, or at least not TV spectator events. Keep road running amateur.
This move is not about equality but about world-wide profitability and positioning of a privately held organization. Wanda Group is one of the first and largest shareholding groups in China and have been ‘investing’ in Athletics for almost a decade. Initially focused on property development, the firm now holds assets in real estate, cinema, healthcare, media, other sports, and more.
2015 Purchased sports marketing company Infront Sports & Media for broadcasting rights of the world's biggest sporting events "the acquisition is expected to help boost sports in China and increase Wanda’s influence in global sports"
Acquired World Triathlon Corporation (Ironman brand)
Announced that a sports division will include all sports-related assets
2017 Purchased Competitor Group (Rock 'n' Roll Marathon brand)
Signed 10-year agreement with Abbott WMM for the "continued growth and development of marathon events worldwide"
2019 Announced title partner of the Diamond League for ten years beginning in 2020. Infront (see above) signed a five-year agreement with WA and DL for media rights until 2025
2020 Sold Ironman (almost $100 million profit)
2021 First Abbott WMM Wanda Age Group World Championship was held at London Marathon Soon after its purchase, Wanda reformatted Ironman qualifying procedures. A similar approach was formatted to put together the WMM age group championships. It is possible, like the expansion of events on the Ironman series, that more races will soon be added to the WMM schedule. When entries and travel are tied together, profits for Wanda increase.
Even paying pushers the same as runners is not equal as the majority of pushrim racers are in the T54 classification and have more function than athletes is other classifications. Other para athletes (amputees, visually impaired, CP, and more) can enter and ‘race’ but are not allowed to contest for an equitable prize purse. Unfortunately, handcycles, with their mechanical gearing which belong in cycling events, have forced their way into marathons and not athletics events. This group is not included in equal championship purses.
The prize purse change is not about the payouts at Berlin, Boston, Chicago, London, New York, and Tokyo, but for the monies awarded for the series champion. It is possible for Wanda to acquire any of those standalone marathons or even add an event they create and own to the WMM series. At that time a reduction in prize purse at specific events will be possible and the elite aspect eliminated.
Additionally, the ranking system for entry into Athletics at World Championships and Olympic Games seems quite similar to the procedure for entry into Ironman championships and the WMM age group championship.
WMM should be looking to deepen the number of prize money winners to attract more competitive runner interest. Without world class runners they'll end up losing major sponsors. Could NY or Chicago even put on downtown marathons without major sponsors?
I stated some possible reasons why Abbott is cutting expenses. But the main point is they ARE cutting expenses. Abbott senior management is not getting the ROI they expected from offering prize money to marathon runners. Their decision is one more result caused by a decline in participation in ALL running road races world wide since 2016. Covid accelerated an existing trend.
Definitely something going on here. Abbott's initial financial sponsorship structure has been a windfall of money to world marathoning since 2006. Their message of promoting health and fitness world wide seems to have had a positive effect. Clearly, as per the quote below shows that Abbott hasn't suffered any financial setbacks, especially during the pandemic:
"Abbott Laboratories is collecting higher returns from the same amount of capital, and that's impressive. Since the stock has returned a staggering 102% to shareholders over the last five years, it looks like investors are recognizing these changes".
Why are they now pulling back the money? Is there something looming in the near future that Abbott is preparing for? Using the "wheelchair" excuse is lame and insulting. They could create a series of wheelchair races and the like if they choose or maybe just increase the prize money without slashing the runners money. Create a series of marathon races, 4-6 seems to be the ideal number and require the athletes to participate in a least four of them to be eligible to earn the overall prize money. Perhaps have a point system combined with overall time accumulation, and then stage a World Marathon Championship event (rotate between each marathon) in which the points and accumulated times set up a handicap formula for the championship event similar to the Fed Ex Cup in golf. Appearance fees should be eliminated, if the prize money is rich enough you won't need an appearance fee, or at least cap it to a manageable amount for Oly champs, WC champs, WR holders, and fastest time to date.
Wow what a joke. Total bush league move to cut the prize money mid-series. Its one thing to reduce during the next cycle, another entirely to slash after the races have already been run. Hope Kipchoge gives them the middle finger and goes to Valencia or somewhere else next year.
Valencia should partner up with Amsterdam, Doha, and a few others and create a new circuit. It wouldn't be too tough to match the WMM prize money at this point and draw the best athletes.
Sure thing, and NOBODY would care. If there are 20 fewer 'elite' runners at NYC or Boston or Chicago, there will still be the tens of thousands of runners and their families and casual fans who make the events what they are. NOBODY cares about the elites in these races except for their own families and a few weird T&F fans.
American marathons need to just become FULLY what they already are: FESTIVALS OF RUNNING. Set the course, provide support, the runners will still be there.
I find it annoying as h-ll that the LRC types don't understand, or don't want to face, that running is in NO WAY dependent on them, on elites, on times at all. Boston could tomorrow decide to offer only $1,000 to the winner, gift cards to the second and third finishers, and there would STILL be 20K-40K who want to run there.
Let the Euro Trash in Valencia blow huge purses on a handful of 'elites'. Won't matter even a little to the mass of four hour marathoners who want to run in events.
It doesn't freaking matter. In the general sense, wheelchair racing is pretty much as appealing to tune-in to watch as footracing over the marathon distance. The racing is promoted and presented with poor production value to a miniscule audience. Outside of a couple dozen die-hard fanatics on sites like this one, nobody sees any issue with this move. I'm a lifelong fan and enjoy watching marathons when they're presented well and have no reaction to Kipchoge missing out on more prize money except maybe a shrug of the shoulders. You don't demand more respect or income, you have to command it. The sport's collective participants aren't coming up with workable innovation to improve its appeal to spectators, including the Letsrun cognoscenti.
Why are people intentionally missing the point? If Abbott wants to reduce their prize money to $0, that is fine, they are a private company and can spend their money how they choose. Bummer as a running fan, but ultimately not the biggest deal in the world.
The ISSUE stems from retroactively cutting prize money during this cycle, after the athletes have already run these races. Sure, Kipchoge probably is not hurting financially, but here are the next 5 athletes as of now that are getting prizes slashed (Tamirat Tola, Evans Chebet, Mosinet Geremew, Amos Kipruto, Mark Korir. Idk how they handle ties so just throwing them all in here). Highly doubtful that any of these guys are raking in cash, so cutting the series prize money after they have already run these races is BS.
The other issue is them trying to frame this is as some form of altruism by bringing wheelchair runners to parity with runners, when in reality they are just pocketing almost half a million dollars with these cuts. Abbott is a $172 billion dollar company, they seriously couldn't afford $500k to not screw over a bunch of African runners who probably made decisions regarding their race schedule based on expected series prize money. If they want to cut it during the next cycle thats fine, but the whole retroactive cuts and PR spin should leave a poor taste in anyone's mouth, regardless of whether you are a fan of these runners.
Blah blah blah. If Abbott believed that anybody they care about would care about this decision, they wouldn't have made it. You are in a tiny, tiny minority of T&F fans who might care. Marathons are not for the elites and they haven't been for the elites since the first running boom in the 1970s. Runners ONLY care about their own running and their own events. That's the nature of running for the vast majority of runners that you people here cannot seem to get through your thick skulls.
Kiera D'Amato didn't get anything to go to Berlin this year, and they only pay 5 deep I believe, Kiera was 6th at Berlin with her 2:21. So Kiera didn't make any money whatsoever from running Berlin. Maybe she got some sort of bonus from Nike for a top 10 finish at a WMM, but it is reasonable to think she already met some criteria for a bonus this year and didn't get anything additional for Berlin. So she ran a very fast race for zero dollars.
Stop. Of course she got an appearance fee. She was the #1 seed who was featured at their press event.
WMM should be looking to deepen the number of prize money winners to attract more competitive runner interest. Without world class runners they'll end up losing major sponsors. Could NY or Chicago even put on downtown marathons without major sponsors?
Will they? I was always under the impression the normal runners brought in the money and that is who the sponsors are after. Any city of size has at least one race and only 6 of them are WMM. I don't know the winner of any full or half marathon I've ever run. Actually I take that back, one half I ran years ago Hall won but that is it and I've run a lot of races.
Valencia should partner up with Amsterdam, Doha, and a few others and create a new circuit. It wouldn't be too tough to match the WMM prize money at this point and draw the best athletes.
Sure thing, and NOBODY would care. If there are 20 fewer 'elite' runners at NYC or Boston or Chicago, there will still be the tens of thousands of runners and their families and casual fans who make the events what they are. NOBODY cares about the elites in these races except for their own families and a few weird T&F fans.
American marathons need to just become FULLY what they already are: FESTIVALS OF RUNNING. Set the course, provide support, the runners will still be there.
I find it annoying as h-ll that the LRC types don't understand, or don't want to face, that running is in NO WAY dependent on them, on elites, on times at all. Boston could tomorrow decide to offer only $1,000 to the winner, gift cards to the second and third finishers, and there would STILL be 20K-40K who want to run there.
Let the Euro Trash in Valencia blow huge purses on a handful of 'elites'. Won't matter even a little to the mass of four hour marathoners who want to run in events.
You are pretty much correct. I like your idea about the running festival too, 95% of a given field does not care at all about time/placing.
The elites are worth it to running fans only. The average person, hell most semi-serious runners have no idea the difference between a 2:20 marathon and a 2:05 - its all incredibly fast. They are paying out tons of money for nothing really.
What they should do is drop the prizes down for all but one of the WMMs. Then have one keystone race with a huge purse. Consolidate the competition and let them go at it. That could attract viewers if the promote it right.
1. You rarely hear the commentators talk about it during the races.
2. It's complicated for the average person - they typically run 2 races a year maybe 3 and it's a two year series that has an ending every year.
I thought something like this should have been done with the half marathon.
The top runners can run multiple races per year and give the grand prix aspect more meaning.
The average person pays to attend a football game or watch on TV (advertising and rights fees). The average person, if I to running at all, pays to run a road race. They don’t really care much about the elite competitors. We are the few who are interested in what the best runners are doing.
Sorry to be that guy but what makes you think they are entitled to any more money than what they are given?
The fact that it was the prize structure that was offered for the current MM series makes him entitled. Had Kipchoge known of the reduced overall prize money beforehand, he could have pursued other lucrative opportunities (like a major payday at Dubai, for instance). If you were an employer, you can't offer contractual incentive bonuses to your employees and then not pay up. Pretty sure this is an open and shut breach of contract.