The USATF bid page is public. Anyone organizer can open that and bid. The event is this December. It's not like they rushed this early. The bids get evaluated and voted on by a volunteer committee, chaired by Thom Hunt and Paul Greer. Not Max and the marketing department.
What's public? A blank form for open events? Where do I go to look at the completed bid application that the Glendoveer folks submitted? Where do I find any open bids still under consideration? Who are the organizers of the Usatf Cross country Championships being held at Glendoveer? I assume it's the same people that organize NXN, which is an appendage of Nike Global Marketing. If all of this information was so public for so long, why are we all being surprised by this announcement today? I'm not anti Nike. I'm not anti Portland. I'm not anti combining these events. People like me just want some transparency from USATF.
So you don't like the decision. I think thats all you needed to say.
The NXN course only uses 1/3 of the available golf course and park area at Glendoveer. There is even a two-mile woodchip path around the eastern section that could be utilized to reduce use of the grassy (potentially muddy) sections. All this takes is smart design.
Presumably the NXN course would be kept the same for course record purposes, but the longer pro routes could start out with some or all of the path loop before returning to the core grass loops, or numerous other options. The woodchip path would even be closer to the expected surface at Tallahassee. It's sometimes only 8-feet wide, but the pro races aren't that crowded, and I guess it could used in the middle of the race after the pack has thinned out.
The NXN course only uses 1/3 of the available golf course and park area at Glendoveer. There is even a two-mile woodchip path around the eastern section that could be utilized to reduce use of the grassy (potentially muddy) sections. All this takes is smart design.
Presumably the NXN course would be kept the same for course record purposes, but the longer pro routes could start out with some or all of the path loop before returning to the core grass loops, or numerous other options. The woodchip path would even be closer to the expected surface at Tallahassee. It's sometimes only 8-feet wide, but the pro races aren't that crowded, and I guess it could used in the middle of the race after the pack has thinned out.
Poster mentioned NXN/USATF XC Champs will be held the same weekend as the BU Sharon Colyer-Danville Opener.
Very interesting dilemma for college athletes/coaches.
I.e, does Diljeet Taylor/BYU allow Jane Hedengren to race the Senior Women's XC race (JH turned 20 next year so not eligible for the JR race) or have her run the 5000 in Boston?
Does Andy Powell/WA allow his son Owen to race the Junior Men's XC race -- or send him to Boston?
Will Vin/VA allow Gary Martin to race the pros @ Glendoveer?
Will Santos/Stanford allow L&L to join their brother in Portland?
Will Henes/NC State unleash Grace Hartman one more time this fall on a xc course?
All the college runners will be in great shape for this weekend, coming just 2 weeks following NCAAs. Just a matter of what the college coaches prioritize.
Which leaves the top NXN runners with a dilemma.
Those racing FL Finals on 12/13 can jump into the USATF Jr race the week before if they think they have a chance for top-4. Whether they do or don't, they still have San Diego to follow.
However, an NXN racer who thinks s/he can finish high up -- but not 1st place -- may opt to race USATF Jrs instead. Four places available instead of one.
Any info on the 8K/6K races for men and women? Usually they do masters, U20, then open on the same day but it doesn't look like they have scheduled the masters events on 6th. 7th?
great idea. not enough kids are aware of professional running. great way to expose many to it, and make some lifelong fans.
Hopefully our best show up.
I hate that they have this stuff way up in a corner of the US (or even Talahassee), but alas this is just the sort of thing we have been asking for and we got it. Personally I wouldnt mind seeing USATF nationals and USATF youth nationals (Track) at the same time...in say Des Moine/Drake. Short flight from everywhere, doable bus ride from everywhere. Although working 12 hours a day for 9 days they barely get the youth meet completed.
Any info on the 8K/6K races for men and women? Usually they do masters, U20, then open on the same day but it doesn't look like they have scheduled the masters events on 6th. 7th?
Gault, why don't you do your job as a journalist and directly reach out to top pros to see if they plan to race?
Within an hour of USATF making the announcement, you should have sent texts to Grant Fisher, Nico Young, Cole Hocker, Cooper Teare, Parker Wolfe, Alicia Monson, Parker Valby, Shelby Houlihan, Karissa Schweitzer, Elise Cranny, Weini Kelati and others. Or to their coaches/agents.
I think it’s a great idea to combine professional national’s and NXN, and it will increase interest in the pro meet.
I don’t share concerns about the quality of the course. This is cross country, courses aren’t supposed to be perfect. Everyone in the race has to run in the same conditions.
The NXN course only uses 1/3 of the available golf course and park area at Glendoveer. There is even a two-mile woodchip path around the eastern section that could be utilized to reduce use of the grassy (potentially muddy) sections. All this takes is smart design.
Presumably the NXN course would be kept the same for course record purposes, but the longer pro routes could start out with some or all of the path loop before returning to the core grass loops, or numerous other options. The woodchip path would even be closer to the expected surface at Tallahassee. It's sometimes only 8-feet wide, but the pro races aren't that crowded, and I guess it could used in the middle of the race after the pack has thinned out.
This could have been an opportunity to move this disaster of a race to a better climate. It's an absolute mud bath. I ran NXN the last 2 years, and just shook my head the entire time, wondering why Nike would spend this much money to put us in some kind of torture chamber as we slip and slide in muddy slop.
We followed the girls last year and the course wasn't as bad as it was for them the year before when they followed us, but both years were just lame. That race does not define who the best are at the sport. It's a totally different sport when it's run in mud. That golf course turf is way too soft, and if you're not in the lead pack the entire time, you're at a massive disadvantage and just trying to stay on your feet. If I had another year of high school, I'd do Footlocker.
...and now you're gonna have another race on that course after the other 2 races destroy it? Who would sign up for that? Think it through, Nike.
Correction: NIKE has decided to combine the USA XC tesm selection with NXN. *USATF is a wholly owned subsidiary of NIKE(tm).
Holding trials with NXN isn't necessarily a bad thing. However, the U20 selection is dubious. Will NXN carry more weight than Foot Locker? What about the college freshmen who usually make up most of the team?
One of the best things about USATF trials races is the brutal fairness of it. Run well on the and you can make the team. As soon as selection is by committee, that fairness is gone. Now add that NIKE controls USATF. Will Nike athletes get preferential treatment and be chosen over a Brooks, Adidas, New Balance athlete?
I like the idea. its different and may work and it may not. It's nice because it doesn't take away as much from the conflicting events. Reminds me of when the d3/d2 runner in xc could go to the D1 meet the following Monday.
I think it’s a great idea to combine professional national’s and NXN, and it will increase interest in the pro meet.
I don’t share concerns about the quality of the course. This is cross country, courses aren’t supposed to be perfect. Everyone in the race has to run in the same conditions.
Everyone runs in the same conditions so the race is fair, BUT NO TOP PRO RUNNERS WILL WANT TO RISK INJURIES IN THE 12 INCHES OF MUD.
We should be looking for options that maximize the number of pro athletes that will compete, and this decision does the exact opposite.
What does this mean for USATF Club XC? Is it not happening this year due to USATF XC being moved to December? Will it be run elsewhere? Or will it ALSO be at Glendoveer (combined with USATF XC perhaps)?