It has been a while since there was any talk of what was going on with the marathon trials in 2008, and I thought we would know by now the answer. Does anyone know whats going on with the race and where it will be, or are we going to have a new trials system. Just wondering since they announced the track trials the other day.
havent heard anything was wondering the same also
How is it set up now to qualify? I am planning on trying to qualify for it... it's like 2:20ish, right?
So, if you didn't run at the 2005 USA Marathon Champs, qualifying starts Jan 1, 2006? That's a very large window, nice.
Maybe it is a large window, maybe not. We have no clue when the trials will be. It could be as much as a year prior to the Olympics (which of course is foolish) if they use a fall 07 marathon. Isn't interesting that they have named a site for the Track Trials which window hasn't come close to starting, but not the marathon where athletes are already qualified (through Twin Cities). Those making the decisions for the sport are interested in everything and anything accept the athletes.
Hmm, good point, I guess I was just assuming it would be held in Feb of the Olympic year, like it was last time around.
Absolutely wrong. The people making the decisions care very much about the athletes.
There are two goals:
a) a great experience for all the qualifiers,
b) and the correct opportunities for those with potential to make the team, and race well in Beijing.
It is about putting the best athletes on the team for Beijing. If the selection race were ten to twelve months prior to the OG, that is not a problem with professional athletes who recover properly, prepare properly, and prove fitness in the months leading to OG.
BOG wrote:
Absolutely wrong. The people making the decisions care very much about the athletes.
There are two goals:
a) a great experience for all the qualifiers,
b) and the correct opportunities for those with potential to make the team, and race well in Beijing.
It is about putting the best athletes on the team for Beijing. If the selection race were ten to twelve months prior to the OG, that is not a problem with professional athletes who recover properly, prepare properly, and prove fitness in the months leading to OG.
Let's be honest here. This is the biggest crock of s*** ever written on Letsrun.com. The Rexing threads have more credibility than this statement.
100% BULL S***. The reason that anything to do with the fall is being concerned is because USATF wants to include New York and Chicago. That is for the same reason as Eugene was awarded the track trials (money). Interest of the athletes is secondary. More Money means more USATF brass that receive a trip and a free lunch. New York and Chicago can afford this.
[quote]BOG wrote:
Absolutely wrong. The people making the decisions care very much about the athletes.
Read this statement very carefully and then tell me that the folks in charge give a damn. "Absolutely" and "very" should not be used here. Even in their absence the statement is "absolutely" BS.
Some of the people I run with talked with a USATF big wig (Latimer?) at Twin Cities and told me this will be the set up: The trials will be held over 2 races, 1 in the fall of 2007 and 1 in the spring of 2008. They will be held in conjunction with major marathons to be determined, I don't know if that means a separate start, a separate race, or if they will be run as part of the regular race. Two team members will be selected at the fall race and one in the spring. I don't know what the point of the qualifying standard is if they are held as part of the regular race.
While this is second hand information I have alot of respect for the people who told me this so it's probably true.
I thought this was a bad idea when I first heard it but I've changed my mind since then. It provides 2 opportunities to qualify so we won't lose Deena or Meb simply because they have a cold on race day
Yeah my friend's cousins aunts bestfriends horse told me that someone from the usatf once might have said that they will have an olympic trials attempt on the moon.
What if they (Meb & Deena & Alan & etc.), have a cold on the day of the Olympic Marathon?
Should we call the Olympic Games Committee and have two separate races in China? Maybe we could accommodate the runners by having three Olympic Marathon Races spanned out over 6 months, that way the runners with the best chances of winning can pick which day they feel the best on (and the best course for their strengths as well)?
One race, One day, One selection. At the level it is going to take to make the Olympic Team, they should be able to figure their s*** out and pull one together on any day that is chosen, and on any course.
Choose a day, choose a course, and then let everyone prepare equally over the next two years to perform on that day, on that course. With a two year window, everyone should be able to modify their training to run a successful Olympic Trials race. They just need to make the decision so everyone can know what to expect.
So what would be the point of calling it a trial then....?
Why not just take all races during (say) a 12-month period and pick the best three performers, wherever or whenever, providing they were on a certified non-downhill or non-wind-assisted course ?
Splitting the trial between different races is a really bad idea. Either hold a one-off trial race, or let the selectors do their job and select the best performers from all certified events.
Rumors. Right now there are only rumors. And, it's unlikely anything would be done to change the 2008 Olympic Trials this close. The Trials window has already opened up with Twin Cities and will reopen in a couple months. So I don't see any major changes happening. The selection procedures seem to be the same. The only thing left to be determined seems to be the date and location of the selection race. The "A" standard is 2:22:00. The "B" standard is 2:20:00. Also, read #5 on qualifying guidelines from the USATF site: Athletes must meet the "B" standard in order to enter the Selection Race. So...you have to run at least 2:22 to enter the race, that rules out an open race like Chicago, NYC, Boston, etc, for 2008 unless they start the "selection race" at a different time (earlier?) or day (Saturday?), or they just completely screw everyone and change the rules on a whim. So, there won't be any of this three race crap for 2008...2012 maybe?
Alan
This discussion and the endless speculation on other threads of the same vein, lead to the same point. That point is nobody knows what's going on because the leadership of USA T and F have gone into wartime mode and keep everything a secret. They are quick to show for photo ops and free lunches, but when it comes time to disseminate information to their members, they hide under a rock.
How about this for an idea? Instead of hiding, scheming and keeping things so secretive, perhaps you can solicit ideas and opinions from your athletes? Just a thought.
The burgh.
I hear the Spring Trial is to be May of 2008 in Pittsburgh.
Bump
Anyone know when USATF is going to make decision as to the trials location?