Ok. I guess this is the next best thing. Get the club runners in Tallahassee to support Worlds. Might even be a better idea except I'd run Clubs the day before worlds. I know they'll claim it will mess up the course - it won't.
Next best thing? You think the 1500 runners from clubs are going to hold onto fitness for an extra month, through the holidays and THEN try to race on a Sunday in January after spectating - and try to get back home? Not happening.
I don’t understand your comment. “Hold onto fitness for another month”? Why did they peak in December?
It's almost unbelievable how much USATF has ruined this race. Look at the tradition of past winners; Frank Shorter, Pat Porter, Craig Virgin, Salazar, Ed Eyestone, Lynn Jennings, Todd Williams, Bob Kennedy, Amy Rudolph, Meb, Ritz, Culpepper, Shalane, Chris Derrick, a bunch more, etc. USATF took a renowned national championship race and has turned it into a JV squad backyard fun run. Abominable. They have no respect for the guys and women from the past who took it seriously.
Not knowing one person at the US cross country skiing championships, Id have to say I found that much more interesting. I then proceeded to go out and xc ski/tele myself later in the day as an inspired spectator.
Put the meet where spectators can easily show up on short notice. Do a better job of promoting it at least locally (never happen). Get some meet organizers that know how to make it fun for everyone. Lubbock announcer was as bad as it gets and the music at the finish area was kinda blah. He didnt know anything about anyone but the mens open winner and it was "OLYMPIC SILVER MEDALIST IN THE STEEPLECHASE "!!!! about ten times every lap as hes lapping the field. There wasnt really anyone else to mention in that capacity but yeah, it was a dud. Nothing on the line in terms of qualifying and not enough comletition to make for an interesting "National Title". Just weak. XC in January in USA is probably the biggest deterrent to interest. Thats ski, skate and hockey season.
Well, I guess its still college football season too...
I have to agree with you about January being a deterrent for having more US runners attend. If this was like a week or two after whichever is later of NCAA's and Nike/Footlocker in late fall this might get more participation. Most US people aren't thinking of XC in January and most have moved on to indoor track or other winter sports by then. I get they have it around this time bc it corrresponds better to the world xc champs on world years, but honestly those are at a weird time too and don't have the best turn out either compared to the track and field world champs.
As far as site selection, I don't know what the bidding process is for choosing sites for national championships. I assume, the 'fee' is different for the various championships. So for this particular event, w/o a WA XC race to qualify for, the fee to USATF must be small.
What should happen is USATF PAYS an association (or helps cover expenses), so they can put the race on. Maybe they go 50%-50% on expenses/prize money with the local committee getting a few sponsors, doing the marketing, etc. But try to get the race to a more convenient location, or nearer to airports.
And we all know that Eugene is the armpit of the Northwest... location is not the problem. USATF's leadership is (btw USATF's crew on the ground did a great job... you would think the suits might come out to learn what XC is before they host the WCX.... lame max, lame)
Eugene is awesome. I went over there on Sunday and ran the back of Spencer Butte. Epic running on Amazon Trail, Pre's Trail, the Ridgeline System, and along the Willamette (West Bank Path).
To be fair that guy would have probably won or got 2nd in open. He was out there chillin. His time would be way faster than that as the 10k was a lil short 30-40 secs. The course was actually really cool and our city did a great job hosting as this was a last minute situation so people should probably understand that
My criticism is entirely for the national level runners who couldn't be bothered to go.
The masters men's winner took the 8k distance in 25:31...
Almost could have been competitive for top 10 in the open. (10/27 = 31:26.)
PATHETIC.
There were 20 mph winds. I don't think you'd be running 25 for 8K last Saturday. And note that this runner happens to be a former USATF club cross champion (overall), and world mountain running champion (overall).
Did I say the time was pathetic for a master?
No. It is very, very good for someone over 40.
I said it is pathetic that there were barely 10 men in the open race who could match pace with the masters winner.
Do you think the Kenyans are skipping the nationals if they can run the meet?
There were 20 mph winds. I don't think you'd be running 25 for 8K last Saturday. And note that this runner happens to be a former USATF club cross champion (overall), and world mountain running champion (overall).
You know it's dumb to lie about weather given the existence of the internet, right?
Measured winds were less than 10mph for all of the race times:
It's almost unbelievable how much USATF has ruined this race. Look at the tradition of past winners; Frank Shorter, Pat Porter, Craig Virgin, Salazar, Ed Eyestone, Lynn Jennings, Todd Williams, Bob Kennedy, Amy Rudolph, Meb, Ritz, Culpepper, Shalane, Chris Derrick, a bunch more, etc. USATF took a renowned national championship race and has turned it into a JV squad backyard fun run. Abominable. They have no respect for the guys and women from the past who took it seriously.
I love cross country and wanted to watch the race. I've watched some great cross country races in years past. I subscribe to Runnerspace but there was no race video - just a lame camera at the finish line. Also, only 12 women finishers. Is USATF responsible for this joke? I've seen better coverage and competition in high school races. Who's in charge?
There were 20 mph winds. I don't think you'd be running 25 for 8K last Saturday. And note that this runner happens to be a former USATF club cross champion (overall), and world mountain running champion (overall).
You know it's dumb to lie about weather given the existence of the internet, right?
Measured winds were less than 10mph for all of the race times:
Check your link again genius. It clearly shows winds at 20-30 mph with gusts up to 38 mph near 1:00 pm and in the hours around then. I was there. It was bad. Think next time before you open your mouth.
Cross country for the masses is held in the fall. Most of the tuneup races (regionals) are in the middle of November. It's hard enough when the club race is in early December, but January is just silly. My club, which has fielded teams every year since the early 80s (maybe earlier) is discussing about not attending Tallahassee. Sure, I'm sure someone you are close to will run, but lots of people will not.
Cross country for the masses is held in the fall. Most of the tuneup races (regionals) are in the middle of November. It's hard enough when the club race is in early December, but January is just silly. My club, which has fielded teams every year since the early 80s (maybe earlier) is discussing about not attending Tallahassee. Sure, I'm sure someone you are close to will run, but lots of people will not.
Don’t lie. No one is missing Tallahassee, guaranteed. If anyone has spent time in this sport, running on a World Championship course is once in a lifetime.
What a joke, is it to late to strip USA of the right to host the World XC champs considering how little they care about the sport? Clearly dont deserve to host such a prestigious event
Cross country for the masses is held in the fall. Most of the tuneup races (regionals) are in the middle of November. It's hard enough when the club race is in early December, but January is just silly. My club, which has fielded teams every year since the early 80s (maybe earlier) is discussing about not attending Tallahassee. Sure, I'm sure someone you are close to will run, but lots of people will not.
Don’t lie. No one is missing Tallahassee, guaranteed. If anyone has spent time in this sport, running on a World Championship course is once in a lifetime.
I'm gonna agree with Muddy girl. I've been at every Clubs for the past 8-9 years, but will likely skip next year. I'm sick of the Tallahassee course. It's always hot and humid. Having the Clubs race on a Sunday will mess up travel. The logistics and costs will suck. And as others have said, I don't want to stand around for hours to watch Worlds the day before a big race.
I know we've been down this trail before, but I think it's important to state yet again, that the vast majority of people in the US have no idea as to the history and rationale behind XC. Cross was looked on as a means for the distance runners to prepare for the upcoming track season. The same was done for the sprinters and field events in the US with indoor track. The goal was to transition into the track season as smoothly as possible. As such, European and WC were always held in March. It is the US that bastardized the sport by creating a season that starts before track has even finished and ends before international cross even begins. Let's not even talk about what they've done to courses, rules, certification, etc. Club and Nationals have 2 different objectives. Club does nothing more than keep those that want things to be neat and tidy and move away from the purpose and history of the sport happy. It was also designed to get away from the shoe company pros having a monopoly on team titles. Nationals primary goal is to prepare for international competitions. This could be as either a team member or an individual interested in competing on the European circuit.
Similarly, indoor track, as stated, was to prepare for the upcoming outdoor track season. Sprinters in some cases worked on starts by running shorter events. They worked on sprint endurance by running longer events hence the 3 most exciting events in indoors were the dash, hurdles and the 600yd. On occasion we'd get the odd miler or 2 miler competing in a feature race. Look what that has turned into. 14 hour track meets over 2 and 3 days. That's a battle for a different day.
Tallahassee Florida in January is usually not hot and humid. Average January weather is actually quite cool at 64° / 39°
That's really not bad. But the last 2 trips to Tallahassee were suffer-fests. Part of the reason for that is most of the rest of the country has been training in 20-30 degree weather for several months and then on race day it's 70 degrees in Florida.