Did anyone see this? I see all these post about events coming back next year, but a lot of people don't realize that many of these organizations will not be around in 2021 or 2022. What are you thoughts on this article:
Did anyone see this? I see all these post about events coming back next year, but a lot of people don't realize that many of these organizations will not be around in 2021 or 2022. What are you thoughts on this article:
My thoughts?
Good riddance to the companies named in the article. Here is a prime example:
Rock N Roll Marathon Series' parent company is Wanda Group (China) whose revenue in 2018 was $31.7 Billion USD.
You want money from the US Government? Ha.
Morons.
Healthy consolidation of a niche industry with a small customer base. As the median age increases, that means fewer participants with or without COVID-19.
A time of great opportunity for entrepreneurs with fresh ideas,
FLupda wrote:
Did anyone see this? I see all these post about events coming back next year, but a lot of people don't realize that many of these organizations will not be around in 2021 or 2022. What are you thoughts on this article:
https://www.gamblingnews.com/news/estimated-90-of-endurance-sports-in-could-go-bankrupt-due-to-covid-19/
Yay! Back to the $10 races without a finisher's medal.
Good!
The industry has become too bloated. The quality of events has declined over the past two decades, becoming "experiences" rather than athletic tests. It's long past time to return to basics: a fair certified course, the option to buy a shirt, some prize money for locals/up and coming athletes, and a congratulatory handshake at the finish.
Keep the rock bands and cheerleaders, finisher medals the size of dinner plates, expos, exploitation of local volunteer groups, post race beer and food feeds (a bland 12oz. brew and a bagel - big whoop!), and the other assorted value added designed to attract more newbs and suburban walkers.
Strip it down and make it sport again! Less global corporations and more local RDs with passion.
It's a buyer's market.
+1 Perhaps after the pandemic Americans will relearn how to 'experience' life all on their own.
Portland Hobby Jogger wrote:
Good!
The industry has become too bloated. The quality of events has declined over the past two decades, becoming "experiences" rather than athletic tests. It's long past time to return to basics: a fair certified course, the option to buy a shirt, some prize money for locals/up and coming athletes, and a congratulatory handshake at the finish.
Keep the rock bands and cheerleaders, finisher medals the size of dinner plates, expos, exploitation of local volunteer groups, post race beer and food feeds (a bland 12oz. brew and a bagel - big whoop!), and the other assorted value added designed to attract more newbs and suburban walkers.
Strip it down and make it sport again! Less global corporations and more local RDs with passion.
MeHereYouWhere?! wrote:
My thoughts?
Good riddance to the companies named in the article. Here is a prime example:
Rock N Roll Marathon Series' parent company is Wanda Group (China) whose revenue in 2018 was $31.7 Billion USD.
You want money from the US Government? Ha.
Morons.
Rock N Roll/Ironman is actually owned by a US based company - Advance Publications. Doubt they got PPP money. It looks like Rock n Roll is canceling all 2021 events too, so I'd guess they aren't coming back.
FLupda wrote:
Rock N Roll/Ironman is actually owned by a US based company - Advance Publications. Doubt they got PPP money. It looks like Rock n Roll is canceling all 2021 events too, so I'd guess they aren't coming back.
Interesting. Did not know (really wasn't paying attention) they got sold earlier this year. Wanda Group got out at just the right time. Ha.
MeHereYouWhere?! wrote:
FLupda wrote:
Rock N Roll/Ironman is actually owned by a US based company - Advance Publications. Doubt they got PPP money. It looks like Rock n Roll is canceling all 2021 events too, so I'd guess they aren't coming back.
Interesting. Did not know (really wasn't paying attention) they got sold earlier this year. Wanda Group got out at just the right time. Ha.
I think Wanda paid something around $1 Billion and the sale to Advance ended up closing at something like $380 million
FLupda wrote:
It looks like Rock n Roll is canceling all 2021 events too, so I'd guess they aren't coming back.
It's strange that they have already canceled the Sept 2021 Philadelphia race but are still taking registrations for the Nov 8 Savannah race in about 12 weeks. The website still lists a lot of races available for registration. Where did you see they are canceling all of 2021?
In any case, I hope the Philly race comes back as the original Philadelphia Distance Run. It was my first HM in the pouring rain in 1995 and it is still one of the best races I have ever run, maybe my all-time favorite. I have no desire to do it as a "Rock 'n' Roll" run because I do not like the way the company runs things. Seems too money hungry.
Aside from job losses for race companies, a return to bare bones race organization will be welcome, in my opinion. The people currently hosting races in my area are keeping the costs low and useless swag minimal, and it's making for pure, cheap racing (albeit mostly time trials).
bring back the PDR wrote:
FLupda wrote:
It looks like Rock n Roll is canceling all 2021 events too, so I'd guess they aren't coming back.
It's strange that they have already canceled the Sept 2021 Philadelphia race but are still taking registrations for the Nov 8 Savannah race in about 12 weeks. The website still lists a lot of races available for registration. Where did you see they are canceling all of 2021?
In any case, I hope the Philly race comes back as the original Philadelphia Distance Run. It was my first HM in the pouring rain in 1995 and it is still one of the best races I have ever run, maybe my all-time favorite. I have no desire to do it as a "Rock 'n' Roll" run because I do not like the way the company runs things. Seems too money hungry.
They've been posting cancellations on their Facebook page. I guess not all have been canceled yet, but they've canceled some at the last minute. Check out their Facebook page:
https://www.facebook.com/RunRocknRoll/I think the industry will be able to weather the storm much better than the article predicts. The big guys like RNR, Tough Mudder, etc. may use bankruptcy protection to deal with debt loads, but should be able to emerge and do races once that is possible again. The regional companies that put on races are generally pretty light on their feet. They will have to layoff employees and maybe negotiation their way out of leases for office space, but these companies do not carry debt and just need to hold on to their brand until the pandemic subsides. And for any company that liquidates, there will be someone ready and willing to pick up where they left off when it is possible to race again. I would certainly want government support to keep these companies afloat, but the industry seems to be pandering for government cash with an unrealistic assessment of the future.
Most of the "businesses" that will get wiped out are the mom 'n pop "local RDs with passion" who ran a few local races in their communities. These RDs probably will have over a year of income missed, and face increased costs for permits, insurance, police/traffic control and all the other overhead of putting on a race which often has to be paid well in advance of the race date. Not to mention that a lot of those RDs are Boomer-aged people who are going to decide to retire rather than start from ground zero again. A lot of local races will not come back ever.
Portland Hobby Jogger wrote:
Good!
The industry has become too bloated. The quality of events has declined over the past two decades, becoming "experiences" rather than athletic tests. It's long past time to return to basics: a fair certified course, the option to buy a shirt, some prize money for locals/up and coming athletes, and a congratulatory handshake at the finish.
Keep the rock bands and cheerleaders, finisher medals the size of dinner plates, expos, exploitation of local volunteer groups, post race beer and food feeds (a bland 12oz. brew and a bagel - big whoop!), and the other assorted value added designed to attract more newbs and suburban walkers.
Strip it down and make it sport again! Less global corporations and more local RDs with passion.
Finishers medals are a result of the "everybody gets a trophy" mentality which may finally be falling out of favor.
A bib with your writing on it indicating date, run time and placement should be enough for any person not in need of a pseudo ego boost.
Precious Roy wrote:
I think the industry will be able to weather the storm much better than the article predicts. The big guys like RNR, Tough Mudder, etc. may use bankruptcy protection to deal with debt loads, but should be able to emerge and do races once that is possible again. The regional companies that put on races are generally pretty light on their feet. They will have to layoff employees and maybe negotiation their way out of leases for office space, but these companies do not carry debt and just need to hold on to their brand until the pandemic subsides. And for any company that liquidates, there will be someone ready and willing to pick up where they left off when it is possible to race again. I would certainly want government support to keep these companies afloat, but the industry seems to be pandering for government cash with an unrealistic assessment of the future.
I agree with most of this, but I don't think the regional companies carry no debt, at least not in my experience.
changing times wrote:
Most of the "businesses" that will get wiped out are the mom 'n pop "local RDs with passion" who ran a few local races in their communities. These RDs probably will have over a year of income missed, and face increased costs for permits, insurance, police/traffic control and all the other overhead of putting on a race which often has to be paid well in advance of the race date. Not to mention that a lot of those RDs are Boomer-aged people who are going to decide to retire rather than start from ground zero again. A lot of local races will not come back ever.
In my area these are the only people putting on the races currently, even just sticking to virtuals. I'm hoping they are able to hold up.
bring back the PDR wrote:
FLupda wrote:
It looks like Rock n Roll is canceling all 2021 events too, so I'd guess they aren't coming back.
It's strange that they have already canceled the Sept 2021 Philadelphia race but are still taking registrations for the Nov 8 Savannah race in about 12 weeks. The website still lists a lot of races available for registration. Where did you see they are canceling all of 2021?
In any case, I hope the Philly race comes back as the original Philadelphia Distance Run. It was my first HM in the pouring rain in 1995 and it is still one of the best races I have ever run, maybe my all-time favorite. I have no desire to do it as a "Rock 'n' Roll" run because I do not like the way the company runs things. Seems too money hungry.
San Jose in October is cancelled as well. Expect november races to be cancelled soon. Also expect rock n roll to take entries until as late as they possibly can. Free money for them.
I certainly hope we see a return to races that are just races and not events. Low key track and xc meets are easy to put on and I think a lot more fast guys would do them if road races were scarce.