On the talk of past NCAA's where is Anthony Ford??? I would have thought coming back to the UK he would be right up there in inters, nationals, northerns etc. Faster on track at 5k and 10km than most brits.
On the talk of past NCAA's where is Anthony Ford??? I would have thought coming back to the UK he would be right up there in inters, nationals, northerns etc. Faster on track at 5k and 10km than most brits.
Injured mate. He's popped up in a couple of local league results so it looks like he's on the mend. Quite right though - I'm sure he would be well up there on a national level.
A few thoughts:
They don't advertise the national properly, the whole handling of it is crap. If they had a targeted advertising campaign they could probably bring in hundreds of road runners and hundreds of club runners who never do it.
Secondly, this website has been around since 2000 so it's not new, and as for U20s there is GB: AP
For kids and athletics there are a few sites although not many.
There seems to be a total lack of originality and ideas regarding the promotion of the national. Why don't they concentrate on the history of the event? Road runners nowadays expect a goodie bag/t shirt or something different to persuade them to do an event. Why not a unique shirt with the names of all the national winners for every competitor or a cheap DVD illustrating the history of the event. Ok so it might be a loss leader, but what better way to promote the event. The night before what about organised events like free talks given by ex-elites, some past winners reminiscing about their winning performances, a stand illustrating the rich history of the event or perhaps a quiz or some way of getting everyone together. How about around the course having the names of famous winners from the past littered everywhere (not unlike what happens in the Tour de France). What about including some obstacles especially with water involved. Look how popular the water jump is during a steeplechase. The national needs some fresh new ideas generated by some new blood who know how to promote events that actually work and grow.
very good points. the event would benefit from a kick up the arse. The feeling I get is that the area/national races are the institutionalised BBC to the cross challenges SKY TV if you know what I mean.There are many good things about the national and these need to be maintained at all costs but the average runner expects something a bit different these days. the ideas you give show some orignality and thought and play on the history of the event without looking like a sell out. maybe you should tell them?!
move over grandad wrote:
There seems to be a total lack of originality and ideas regarding the promotion of the national. Why don't they concentrate on the history of the event? Road runners nowadays expect a goodie bag/t shirt or something different to persuade them to do an event. Why not a unique shirt with the names of all the national winners for every competitor or a cheap DVD illustrating the history of the event. Ok so it might be a loss leader, but what better way to promote the event. The night before what about organised events like free talks given by ex-elites, some past winners reminiscing about their winning performances, a stand illustrating the rich history of the event or perhaps a quiz or some way of getting everyone together. How about around the course having the names of famous winners from the past littered everywhere (not unlike what happens in the Tour de France). What about including some obstacles especially with water involved. Look how popular the water jump is during a steeplechase. The national needs some fresh new ideas generated by some new blood who know how to promote events that actually work and grow.
I think Tickner will run 29.15 ish, I really don't think that what he has been beating this winter has been very good, 30 minute guys have been in the frame at Inter Counties, Liverpool etc. he is just a good xc runner.
Why not get rid of the intercounties and use the national as the trial like it used to be. That way it would carry the prestige it used to and guarantee a high class field. Maybe even offer prize money to attract a few more road specialists.
G. Britain wrote:
Why not get rid of the intercounties and use the national as the trial like it used to be. That way it would carry the prestige it used to and guarantee a high class field. Maybe even offer prize money to attract a few more road specialists.
Tin hat on there mate. You know how riled them celts can get...
Thats the way it used to be. Guests were always accepted. My coach is Welsh and he loved running the National. By opening it up, you'd get a stronger / bigger field and go some way to restore it to its former glory.
from what I recall season used to look a bit like:
December - County Champs
Mid Jan - Inter counties
End Jan - Areas
Feb / March - National.
National was trial for World Cross team (when home nations had seperate teams) or took guests (as mentioned above). UK trial introduced as a seperate race around 1990 (maybe?), then incorporated into Inter-counties / Uk champs, hence role of Inter-counties increased and National lessened.
National also used to be u17 / u20 / senior on the mens side, so intercounties and English schools were the big events for younger guys (womens event was seperate as well) - not sure that affects attendance of senior race now though. I think, as has already been mentioned, 'newer' runners who maybe didnt come up through the 'traditional' harrier route from kids age groups don't view the National in the same way as some of the rest of us, and are more interested in 10ks, Halfs etc.
Not sure what the answer is though!
What would you know?.... Numbers were down at the National this year granted. But the ones that were missing are mainly the \'mid packers\' that wouldnt have really impacted on the race. I know the GB team for Worlds was missing but only Mo wouldve challenged him.
You could argue every year that so and so was missing.
I ran ran 29.30 for 10k recently and was 2min30 behind him and also did a set of half miles on the track with him and was about 10 sec a rep down on him......You do the maths!
Welsh coach what are you playing at
must ahve been a short 10k then...
Mud king wrote:
What would you know?.... Numbers were down at the National this year granted. But the ones that were missing are mainly the 'mid packers' that wouldnt have really impacted on the race. I know the GB team for Worlds was missing but only Mo wouldve challenged him.
You could argue every year that so and so was missing.
I ran ran 29.30 for 10k recently and was 2min30 behind him and also did a set of half miles on the track with him and was about 10 sec a rep down on him......You do the maths!
Wow! So Tickner is going to run 27mins for 10k!
Cool!
what where you running the 800's in????? 2:25's
Mud king wrote:
What would you know?.... Numbers were down at the National this year granted. But the ones that were missing are mainly the 'mid packers' that wouldnt have really impacted on the race. I know the GB team for Worlds was missing but only Mo wouldve challenged him.
You could argue every year that so and so was missing.
I ran ran 29.30 for 10k recently and was 2min30 behind him and also did a set of half miles on the track with him and was about 10 sec a rep down on him......You do the maths!
you recently ran 29.30 for 10k??? yeah right. Who the hell are you then? Top of the UK rankings this year is Michael Green with 29.31.
27mins, is that all, i heard he did 26:35 in training easying down because he felt a bead of sweat on his forehead
Recently could be taken to include the end of 2006 couldn't it? Leeds Abbey dash for instance?! 29:30, trains with Tickner so obvious birmingham connection. I'll stop there!
Mud King (not!) wrote:
Mud king wrote:What would you know?.... Numbers were down at the National this year granted. But the ones that were missing are mainly the 'mid packers' that wouldnt have really impacted on the race. I know the GB team for Worlds was missing but only Mo wouldve challenged him.
You could argue every year that so and so was missing.
I ran ran 29.30 for 10k recently and was 2min30 behind him and also did a set of half miles on the track with him and was about 10 sec a rep down on him......You do the maths!
you recently ran 29.30 for 10k??? yeah right. Who the hell are you then? Top of the UK rankings this year is Michael Green with 29.31.
I think our poster is sayng that he was 2.30 behind Tickner at the National, over more like 40 mins.
We should be applauding this guy for his achievements this year not trying to take the p*ss or belittle it by saying the opposition wasn't good enough. It was the same when Tromans was dominant a few years ago. Ok he hasn't done anything on the track yet but its early days in his career so who's to say he won't.