Deena dissed at Paso Robles 10k

johnny chimpo wrote:

so often we hear about how down to earth and humble distance runners are. that's such a load of crap! some of the most indulgent, expectant people.

No comment on the Deena situation here.

But the above is so true. I was almost run off the sidewalk in the middle midtown Manhattan by some of the female runners here in NYC for the meet at Randalls Island. Jabbering away, oblivious of anyone else, acting like they owned the place...

The next day, they did the same thing outside the meet...by the same bunch of blondie distance runners!

At first I wasn't sure what to think of this. The race director should definitely pay the $25 I thought but then again if he doesn't and Deena wants to race she should just pony up the $25.

For someone who makes millions, what the hell is $25. I'm sure Asics would pay it.

But then after reading some posts I realized it had to be about more than $25 I assume. I bet she wanted her travel covered. While many may argue the race should cover her expenses the race director decided not to do it.

But Deena has obviously heard the criticism. She has changed her website. The entry saying:

"I was going to race a 10K in Paso Robles, CA where some of my favorite California wines come from, but the race director wouldn't give me a complimentary entry. I crossed it off my list."

is gone

rippy cripple wrote:

It's this sense of entitlement that gives elite athletes a bad reputation. While many races budget for and invite the top runners to participate in their race, others do not.

If she wants to run, maybe one of her sponsors can afford the 25 bucks.

considering that the prize she will get is probably 1/2 way decent, she should pay.

The race director Mitch Massey used to be the sports anchor at the local NBC station. For someone with a PR background this is funny.

A couple of race directors in the area seem to still be stuck in the penguin era. For example the big local triathlon does not give out awards or recognize the winner.

right... wrote:

considering that the prize she will get is probably 1/2 way decent, she should pay.

The prize money is only $50. Decent for you, but for the rest of us it's not.

The race director Mitch Massey used to be the sports anchor at the local NBC station. For someone with a PR background this is funny.

A couple of race directors in the area seem to still be stuck in the penguin era. For example the big local triathlon does not give out awards or recognize the winner.

That's priceless. It is gone!

SLO native wrote:

The race director Mitch Massey used to be the sports anchor at the local NBC station. For someone with a PR background this is funny.

A couple of race directors in the area seem to still be stuck in the penguin era. For example the big local triathlon does not give out awards or recognize the winner.

i posted this earlier. he WANTED it to be a huge race at one point. also, quite telling that deena removed the comment:

first of all, mitch is a huge fan of road running. if you knew the history of the race, and why it became a community race, you'd completely understand why he said no to deena's request. i think deena doesn't know the history, but she should have asked around first.

the first year of the race there was tons of prize money. it was a race on the pausatf circuit; very well received by the athletes. the second year mitch threw more money at pausatf runners and open non-pausatf prize money. he brought in good kenyans and invited top u.s. runners. it was fun winning less $$$ because the competition was so amazing. unfortunately, because of some runners in the p.a. feeling like the points structure of the race would hurt them, they complained and forced the race to be a lower level race on the pausatf circuit. mitch realized that some of the "powers that be" on the pa were the ones who didn't care about a quality race with the highest level of talent so he pulled the cash from the open runners and made it a masters national championship. after doing this for 2-3 years the race is not a masters championship (i do not know why it wasn't selected). now the race is strictly a community event to support charity.

wrong.... wrote:

right... wrote:

considering that the prize she will get is probably 1/2 way decent, she should pay.

The prize money is only $50. Decent for you, but for the rest of us it's not.

she wouldn't be eligible for the prize money cause it's a PA race. I don't believe she has the residency to sign up as a member of the Pacific Association of USATF.

As an RD, i would comped her in a heartbeat. it would have brought PR to that race it never would get otherwise.

criticism101 wrote:

But Deena has obviously heard the criticism. She has changed her website. The entry saying:

"I was going to race a 10K in Paso Robles, CA where some of my favorite California wines come from, but the race director wouldn't give me a complimentary entry. I crossed it off my list."

is gone

I've saved a screenshot just in case......

malmo wrote:Afterwards a private performance featuring Suzi Atascadero and the Pleasure Seekers?

andre dawson wrote:

The average housewife isnt going to go run your mom and pop 10k because deena is.

i tend to agree with a lot of your posts, but disagree a little here.

i agree the ave housefrau would not run the race b/c of her BUT the race should have been able to get a story written in the local paper about the event using the deena angle. how many local runs can boast having an olympic medalist in them?

with little or no effort, the race could have raised its profile and by extension, gotten a few more housewives out there, not b/c deena was running, but b/c of the attention she could bring.

the race and race director lose in this one.

had deena run, you can bet the website for the race next year would make mention of it.

wrong.... wrote:

I've saved a screenshot just in case......

Just in case what? You get called in as a special witness to judge Denna's character. Oh you really got her. Next thing you know it will be featured on cable news channels and for the next 14 and a half hours there will be talk of scandal.

Luca Brazzi wrote:

If Sara Bei (also with ASICS) ask for a complimentary entry would the HB10k have granted it ? HELL YES !

Bei is a Christian. I doubt she would have "crossed a race of her list" that was in her favorite wine country.

I agree with those that think everyone is overreacting. Even if she should have handled this situation differently, she's proven herself over the years as a class act. Like with most threads on this site, we spend more time looking for ways to take people down a notch and this seems no different. I could understand the criticism if this was consistent behavior with Deena, but it's not.

And I can't imagine that anyone posting on this thread have ever walked in Deena's shoes, not even the almighty St. Malmo! :)

Is it really a "charity" race? The first 240 runners across the line get $50. That's $12000. Are you telling me that both the race and its designated charity are so flush with cash that $12000 won't make a difference? According to the race website, 100% of entry proceeds go to charity. I would love to see the accounting books for this race.

Of course, since the race is in the middle of nowhere, most out of town guests probably spend at least one night at a hotel; some of the local hotels might kick back some of those proceeds to the race. And according to the website, it is still the Masters 10k championship:

http://www.hobfunrun.com/race10kmasters.asp

Deena was probably looking for a competitive 10k (winning times in recent years have been in the low-30s) relatively close to Mammoth. She's also used to being paid to show up at races. She made a simple request and was denied. Her request was not out of line, and neither was the race director's denial.

Im sorry buddy but we runners who are elite deserve a damn comp entry thats all im saying im not askin for much just comp me i dont ask for hotels or airfare, i understand if deena asked for all that yes thats bull but comp entry is nothin to a director to give to an elite, we runners do have attitudes we have to deal with peep talkin crap when we run bout our shorts and cars gettin close to hittin us all the damn time, u damn right i have an attitude and i wont race unless its comp'ed if you are sub 14:00, have run USA's, been on a US team before and an all american you would feel the same

tttt wrote:

wrong.... wrote:

The prize money is only $50. Decent for you, but for the rest of us it's not.

she wouldn't be eligible for the prize money cause it's a PA race. I don't believe she has the residency to sign up as a member of the Pacific Association of USATF.

As an RD, i would comped her in a heartbeat. it would have brought PR to that race it never would get otherwise.

nobody cares if she runs this race or not. there is no paid admission for spectators, like football or baseball game or even most big track meets. whether she runs it or not will not increase the # of runners who sign up, pay and run it. (the exception would be if she were tied into this race from the get-go and featured in pre race advertising, a pre race autograph session or clinic. but just to show up and run it for her own gratification, adds nothing.

Runnersunited wrote:

Im sorry buddy but we runners who are elite deserve a damn comp entry thats all im saying im not askin for much just comp me i dont ask for hotels or airfare,

No you don't deserve anything. Your sense of entitlement is AFU. Be grateful for any generosity given to you. If you really want to be there, you'd pay your entry if needed.

another perspective wrote:

And I can't imagine that anyone posting on this thread have ever walked in Deena's shoes, not even the almighty St. Malmo! :)

The almighty St Malmo would have paid the entry (and has done so many times) without blinking an eye.