USATF making qualifiers pay to race the Marathon trials

So should the T & F athletes pay as well come next June? I mean that is just a track meet after all? If the marathon was held at the same venue as the USOT T & F , then the marathoners would not be expected to pay? Bad move by USAT & F....

Rbyrne wrote:

So should the T & F athletes pay as well come next June? I mean that is just a track meet after all? If the marathon was held at the same venue as the USOT T & F , then the marathoners would not be expected to pay? Bad move by USAT & F....

Uhhh, you pay to enter the Trials, too. $25 in 2008.

logistics! wrote:

The USOC sponsors pay a lot of money for these rites

Like the post-race circumcision?

rojo wrote:

I mean by your logic the NBA should charge NBA players to play basketball games every night as it costs a ton to rent the arena.

So by what logic do you equate USATF with the NBA? They are galaxies apart, Einstein.

Realist,

I must be doing a really poor job at conveying my thoughts... or you're just not smart enough to pick up on them.

I understand the reasoning... my point is that its a shame that USATF is NOT ABLE TO AFFORD TO COVER THE NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIPS EVEN WITH A 1+MIL CONTRIBUTION FROM THE HOUSTON ORGANIZING COMMITTEE.

My point is this whole charitable organization, 3.5mil operating budget, charge our elites entry fees into a National Championship, is crap.

The promise of a 1+MIL contribution.

Boston and New York had recent experience hosting and would not promise that number.

Cunto sucks at writing and has a long history of being combative as a result of his own shortcomings in that and other areas.

Bottom line is athletes are not being out first in the USATF system. Athletes should always be put first, and every effort should be made to allow for free entry to men and women who have exceled to some of the best marathon runners in the USA. Qualifying for the Olympic trials should be special not just another road race where you pay an entry fee.

Michaael wrote:

Bottom line is athletes are not being out first in the USATF system. Athletes should always be put first, and every effort should be made to allow for free entry to men and women who have exceled to some of the best marathon runners in the USA. Qualifying for the Olympic trials should be special not just another road race where you pay an entry fee.

Yes I agree with you. However the federation has a new president now, and things are not going to chance, except getting worse with them.

I see no problem though. This is an easy choice. Plenty of marathons waive entry fees for top runners, and some pay travel expenses. I'd choose the best marathon for me to run.

Urine ldiot wrote:

What makes marathoners so special? Oh, I suppose you want USATF to pay expenses for all qualifiers in all events? Did you not read above about their budget? Where are they supposed to get the monies to do this? Or do you want them to go broke? Good thinking, Einstein. What happens to the sport then? Huh? Did you think about that? Of course not. Go home.

USATF isn't paying expenses. The Houston Marathon is.

Urine ldiot wrote:

USATF isn't paying expenses. The Houston Marathon is.

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Are you this much of an assh*le in real life?

Does anyone know if USATF or the Houston Marathon is reserving a block of hotel rooms for B qualifiers? I have the B qualifier and havnt gotten a hotel room booked yet. It seems all the hotels near the start/finish are booked solid. USATF says there will be booking information on August 1st but of course that date has come and gone with no word. Any help here would be much appreciated.

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