NYC Olympic Marathon Trials Marketing Questions

Snoochie Boochie wrote:

Which is why people go watch right? What I mean is the "real" runners are those running the "real" course on Sunday.

Ask anyone in New York when THE MARATHON is and almost everyone will say Sunday. The elites are faster then our trial runners...30,000 will run on Sunday. To the non-runner which one is the "real" race? that is what I mean.

I'm not really sure why they watch, except to see the elites whizz by, and then maybe look for some friends who are running. Otherwise, it's not much more exciting than watching a line of people filing past out of a ballgame or train station, except at a faster pace.

I guess they marvel at the fact that so many people, of all shapes and sizes and abilities, can cover 26.2 miles. "It's not impressive that it is done well, but that it is done at all."

Remember that US based events have paid NBC to cover their events in the past. Lifetime Fitness Triathlon paid for years to have NBC cover their event, when it was the highest paying TRI in the World.

NYRR did not want to pay NBC? They sure should have enough money to do so...

Ivan wrote:

It'll be better than any internet viewing or TV replay.

Laughable, even for this board.

The NYRR should pay NBC to air an event that NBC already controls and negotiated with another party? Usually both parties want some leverage in a negotiation. The NYRR has none. NBC apparently doesn't care. Not surprising since most of America doesn't care.

Flood NBC with your complaints.

Also, those Lifetime Fitness Triathlon events are laughably old by the time they're aired. This hardcore running crowd would go insane (and wouldn't watch) if the Trials race was packaged for an hour viewing in December when Notre Dame games stop being aired.

face it. running will never bring the sponsor $

no dough, no show.

Even with record number of recreational runners participating in marathons each year, 98% probably dont have a clue whos running next saturday. runners are competing for air time with the likes of a-rods, tiger woods and peyton mannings who rake in millions and millions and live rock stars. thats marketable. ryan hall is not. he's good story but that doesnt sell enough shoes . not the way Mikey Jordan can. thats life.

nike knows this. and thats why they spent more bucks just trying sign Lebron James to a shoe contract than they will spend on running this or any other year. that's money just trying to sign him - corp jet, slick ad campaigns even actual shoe prototypes - never mind the contract money.

plus were talking NBC - every athlete has a human interest story - Sports. NBC has no problems devoting three straight night of primetime coverage to gymnastics or figure skating - not just the events but hour long previews, cover stories, and highlights even when U.S. athletes are vying for a medal. what a joke.

shadow46 wrote:

The Freshman is right and you ARE all dorks and many of you are morons too. I've developed a mathematical equation for this: Dork + Moron = Runner. And don't flame me for this, I'm one of you.

Bottom line, this is the most hyped men's trials ever. The first one ever that someone outside of this pathetic community might find out about and have an opportunity to watch (if only highlights). NYRR is doing a great job with this as usual.

Clearly you don't know what you're talking about.

When Bob Kempainen puked at the 1996 trials the entire race I believe was on tape delay (same day coveferage) on a major network.

When a marathon is showed in a 30 minute highlight you lose the one thing going for it- drama.

Besides the TV this Trials should be great. I agree the NYRR has done a great job with the race.

Yes, the 1996 trials in Charlotte were broadcast on a major network. My mom watched it in Pennsylvania and recorded it for me to review later. The trials and the associated marathon and 10k that weekend were sponsored by Nations Bank.

Fortunately, I was there near the finish line to watch it. They had a nice 10k at the same time so I ran it and then stood around freezing with a few thousand other people to watch the marathon. Man was it COLD! When they announced Kempainen was vomiting everyone groaned that he was going to drop out. Instead, he increased his margin over Coogan and Brantley. One tough guy on a tough course.

If the trials took place in little old Charlotte in 1996 and was broadcast at least all over the east coast, then it seems ridiculous that this year's trials in the so-called media capital of the world (with silver medalist-Meb and former world record holder-KK) won't make it on live TV for the complete race.

The 1996 US Olympic Trial Marathons were not broadcast live to the East Coast. Maybe live on Charlotte TV, but not eextra-regionally.

The women's race was Feb 10. The men's race was Feb 17 (at 9:00 AM BTW). A 90-minute broadcast combininghighlights of both races aired that afternoon nationally on NBC.

I'd think adjusting the start to place the FINISH during the Morning hello show might make some sense-after all the whole idea is to find out who finished 1-2-3 but adjusting the start to see who wants to go seems pretty much pointless from any angle.

Any one know what's on WNBCTV's local feed at 9:45 AM Sunday?