The Trials and Tribulations of Running YouTubers

Probably comes from that she started with the Elite field at the '24 London Marathon.

Eh, Boston took women sub-2:40 last year into their elite field. 73/2:34 would get her an elite bib. &, fwiw, a lot of marathon majors are filling pro fields with something like 30 men to 20 women. You might have elite men who, on paper, look a little closer to the front but what does it really matter. A 2:15 runner isn't beating a sub-2:05 runner. A 2:34 runner isn't beating a sub-2:20 runner. Women have different challenges that account for depth in pro fields. Their pro definition stretches a little more. At the end of the day who really cares. 2:34 is plenty elite for a woman imo. Going to pretty much win any road race with a non-invited pro field. What does that runner do? Go take a swing at a major & try to push yourself. The reality is you have to finish top-10 at most races to get paid. By that standard, almost nobody is a pro. It's not athletes' fault that there's limited prize money, which might prevent a 2:34 type from going all in on running & getting down to the mid-2:20s.

I would still say 'elite' is a bit of an overstatement. Sure marathons will have 'elite' fields, but it can be a wide variety of times. According to World Athletics she is currently ranked 881 in the women's marathon. I am not sure how accurate the rankings are as my own World Athletics ranking (which I didn't know I had until now) seems very generous and isn't based on my actual PB, which was run on a certified course.

We can't get away from the fact that running is an individual sport. I don't know if I would consider the 881st ranked tennis player or golfer (sports with a lot more money) as 'elite'. That isn't to say that the person/athlete isn't super impressive.

Perhaps I'm too harsh and ultimately, 'elite' is up to each individual's interpretation. I stand by it being a cringe way to introduce yourself. Especially when your guest is undoubtedly elite in their field of triathlon, and even more 'elite' in the marathon than you, despite not being a marathoner.

Yeah even Nick Bester (14:36 5k, 2:19:45 marathon) has the sense to call himself 'sub-elite' rather than elite.

I agree with you, especially on calling yourself "elite" part - it's the same with a "leader", if you have to call yourself one, you are not one.

At the end of the day she is there to push a product, so self-promotion is a necessary part of that.

Phil Sesemann is on youtube. Heavily Clayton Young inspired video, but I guess this is the trend right now.

Yeah, I’ve been a fan of Nicks channel for a while. Very good value.

ThatrunnerMatt is a lesser known channel which is pretty decent. Extremely quick runner too. Think I’ve seen Tim Grose, FOD and the Brooms in one of his race videos too from memory

Her qualification is Leader in Running Fitness; so not a coach and is ranked 16 in UK at marathon ; so not elite.

I fear that she may have been guilty of a couple of terminological inexactitudes here.

Except in Boston 2018, when an elite field filler finished second and nearly won the race.

One does not get far on social media these days without embellishing their achievements but also hardship. I’ve seen so many YouTubers pointing out things whether it’s work, family, weight, injury etc as a preface to their performance.

I would argue being ranked 16 in a country of 68 million people is pretty elite.

by most accepted definitions she's maybe national standard/highly trained

The power ranger full kit tit.

Sneer all you like but I think there’s been a serious thawing of people’s animosity towards Nick on this forum thread recently. Due to his professionalism, kindness towards Cole and recent marathon performances by others showing just how good Nicks Berlin time was. The way he interacts with slower runners at parkrun and stops to cheer them in is also ridiculously wholesome and feel good.

I used to be like you in my opinion towards him but I’m just going to say it, he’s won me over. Mr B you absolutely rock and you are one ridiculously talented runner. All this talk of elite? There’s your elite right there

I think you're right here - obviously it's not something that there's a single agreed definition of, but it feels wrong to describe (and worse to self-describe as such). This is especially true in the world of athletes like Philly Bowden who is probably 'elite' but gets more income from YouTube than running (I suspect) and where you have other genuine top athletes in athletics events (i.e. Amo-Dadzie with a legit job and going to the world champs in 23).

I think the fuel for it comes from being invited to the elite field at London in 24, although I think there are still lots of athletes in those fields who would describe themselves as sub elite (and definitely if they finished 4 minutes off the back of the rest of the field). Then you look at the UK rankings for that year, so where she was an 'elite' being ranked 41st for her event. Just clearly not an elite level however you cut it. Even the best rankings year - 2023 being 15th in the UK is a bit too far down the rankings to claim elite status imo.

Then in terms of the sponsorship - another way I think you'd argue someone becomes elite at running, when a shoe or clothing company is willing to sign them. I don't think people would translate being a LuluLemon brand ambassador the same way they would Bekele signing with ANTA.

So I guess it comes back to the 'how do you define elite' point - I guess you could have the invite to London, but even then I think you'd have to argue former elite should be the term given that there hasn't been any follow on major/serious race invites outside of things like the Bermuda race series etc.

Yeah they are all at it now, flogging it to death (apart from our boy emile cairess who seems to reject all social media and barely ever does media appearances)

• Spiked and Psyched Podcast Episode 4: Broken Bones + World Champs Recap
  
  Spiked and Psyched is where Val Constien, pro steeplechaser, and Kyle, NARP, share the conversations we’re already having on and off the track. We talk about the ups and downs of training and racing, what life looks like for Val as a professional athlete, and all the random stuff we’re into outside of running. Expect plenty of track & field talk mixed in with our takes on Formula 1, cars, and whatever other sports or topics we’re psyched about that week.
  
  Episode 4, and we are back in the studio! We reflect on our recent trip, Kyle's new injury, and, most importantly, we recap the World Track & Field Championships that just concluded in Tokyo, Japan.
• YouTube.com

  Unc & Ocho CELEBRATE Teetee Terry & Melissa Jefferson-Wooden’s GOLD 4x400 Relay Record! | Nightcap

  Nightcap

  Enjoy the videos and music you love, upload original content, and share it all with friends, family, and the world on YouTube.

  Watch on YouTube
• Unc & Ocho CELEBRATE Teetee Terry & Melissa Jefferson-Wooden’s GOLD 4x400 Relay Record! | Nightcap
  
  No more waiting until morning. Nightcap is the new nighttime sports talk destination with legends Shannon Sharpe and Chad “Ochocinco” Johnson. Hang out with Unc and Ocho as they give their unfiltered takes on the latest headlines from the NFL, NBA, and college football, and give their instant reactions to the biggest games moments after they end.
  
  Shannon Sharpe and Chad “Ochocinco” Johnson sit down with track & field stars Teetee Terry and Melissa Jefferson-Wooden! The sprint queens break down how they shattered the 4x400 relay record at the World Championships in Tokyo, the sacrifices it takes to stay in elite shape, and what’s next now that the season is over.
• YouTube.com

  Episode 4: Broken Bones + World Champs Recap

  Spiked and Psyched Podcast

  Enjoy the videos and music you love, upload original content, and share it all with friends, family, and the world on YouTube.

  Watch on YouTube

I refuse to believe people this cringe actually exist

Sean Casey, fitness influencer, ran Berlin. His training was insane for somebody who has only just got into running this year, multiple 100k+ weeks, ran 6 days a week, multiple 20+ mile long runs with most of them at marathon pace, really made a whole performance of the whole training block. He was targetting sub 3:30 but changed his tune to sub 3:40 when the weather reports came out, he was off pace by 10k and ran 4:12......

80km+ a week for the entire block, several weeks above 100km to run 4:12