That is completely out of control, way too many people for one race.
This race needs standards. Half of these teams are a hodgepodge of ringers, thrown together for the purpose of winning the prize money up for grabs. There should be some sort of team qualifying standard... like the team should actually have had to run together at some point prior to the nationals. That would hopefully cut down the numbers.
Yes i agree, Damn there are going to be 45+ Teams in the Open Race, Along with 450+ wow, So, Is this race actually going to be very competitive or is there just 400 guy's that are so, so? I mean if race conditions are not well, Then it must play factors for other runners to farwell?
So far there are 56 men’s open teams and about 400 plus runners in the men’s open race at – 1:30pm, 35 women’s teams and about 270 runners in the women open race at – 12:45pm. There is a master men’s race at 11:30am and a women’s master race at 10:30am. Plus, there is a community 6km at 9:30am.
The NCAA Division III Cross Country Nationals had just under 300 runners in each race last year at this site after 5 inches of rain the week for the Championships…
There could be over 1,000 athletes running in the various races…..
http://www.usatf.org/events/2007/USATFClubXCChampionships
and
www.columbusrunning.com/usatfxc.htm
To check out the entries so far go to:
http://www.usatf.org/events/2007/USATFClubXCChampionships/entry/status.asp
Crazy numbers but similar to last year on the women's side. Skimming through the entries, loaded race with some contenders for the top individual spots - should be exciting no matter what the conditions:
Men: Driscoll, Eberly, Kanyaruhuru, Myers, O'Keefe, Olinger, Pierce, Sabatino, Schoolmeester, Warrenburg, Wells, Yuot among a few others
Women: Anderson, Alyanak, Brewster, Cretti, Culley, DiCrescenzo, Gall, Grace, Hess, Lorenzen, Nervo, Ramsey, Sandoval, Storage...
wisconsin runner has some guys going there. Henry Dennis was the 5k road racing champ a few years back, running 14:00. Tim Keller also is obviously a beast. You guys are right though, a lot of good runners here.
Pepsi One wrote:
Yes i agree, Damn there are going to be 45+ Teams in the Open Race, Along with 450+ wow, So, Is this race actually going to be very competitive or is there just 400 guy's that are so, so? I mean if race conditions are not well, Then it must play factors for other runners to farwell?
I'm not sure what you consider competitive, but the team my club is bringing recently had 7 guys run under 15:20 for 5k on the roads at a recent road race and we anticipate having a hard time cracking the top 20 teams.
Is the course a spike worthy course?
I was looking at last years results, what is Jake stout doing living in Boise?
do not forget Pat Gildea. He ran a 23:41 8k on a rolling course in Knoxville over Thanksgiving. He should be top 5
We're bringing 8 sub-31:00 10K guys and are looking for a Top 5 finish. Very competitive field! Should be awesome.
There is a new standard for team scoring: USATF Competition Rule 4 which essentially says that if you want to score for a club, you have to be a resident where your club is located (with a couple exceptions). This will eliminate ringers if actually enforced.
Will USATF actually enforce this rule? Mike Scott is in charge of the open teams so hopefully he'll verify team members BEFORE the meet. Right now, a lot of ringers are listed under "their supposed club" violating Rule 4.
On the bright side, this course can easily handle big numbers- nice wide grass paths, nothing too tricky, no real hard corners. And yes, it is definitely a spike-worthy course. Even when it isn't soaking wet, there are still soft spots, and nearly the entire course is on grass. A wonderful venue for a big race like this (under the right circumstances)
What are the exceptions? last year we saw a lot of teammates shaking hands at the starting line.
Main Exception:
"An athlete with historical membership in a club (at least 3 continuous USATF membership years with that club) is eligible to compete for that club" which makes sense because after three years, you should be considered a legit member of a team regardless of residence.
Another exception has to do if you live in an "adjoining" association, you may be able to compete if you can jump thru lots of hoops.
In other words, if you don't live with or near your team, you are out of luck to score for them unless you've been a long-term member.
I'm pumped to watch this race
There goes about 1/2 the teams, what a great rule. The ringer aspect of this race completely goes against the spirit of the race.
anti-ringer wrote:
Main Exception:
"An athlete with historical membership in a club (at least 3 continuous USATF membership years with that club) is eligible to compete for that club" which makes sense because after three years, you should be considered a legit member of a team regardless of residence.
Another exception has to do if you live in an "adjoining" association, you may be able to compete if you can jump thru lots of hoops.
In other words, if you don't live with or near your team, you are out of luck to score for them unless you've been a long-term member.
How's the Course right now?
Agree! Gildea is tough and would be a top contender
Women's top 5 teams??
Who gives a Shit about the Ladies Race or teams. The Highlight is the Mens open!