mando wrote:
I believe we need to move towards say 10k loops. There is too much distance for cameras to cover and cameras just can't move around effectively. I believe the Euro style cross is more fun because of shorter loops (2k, 1.5k). So Maybe run the top X runners based on meeting a seed time or equivalent and then an in race cutoff for anyone getting lapped. The next day run your 50K, 60, 70k + locals on the regular course with local coverage. If it is more fun to watch, that will result in more spectators and more sponsorship value. The current system until late in some races is unwatchable.
I totally disagree.
Watch the most boring stage of any year's Tour de France-- a flat stage with no breakaways and a bunch sprint won by the odds-on favorite-- and it's a million times more compelling that any NYC marathon broadcast, even when the race is close. The TDF broadcasters (whether the NBC crew or various Euro broadcasts) don't accept the idea that there can be a boring race. They MAKE the race exciting because they know all of the athletes and all of the storylines. They focus on the leaders but then they take you back in the pack to show you someone falling off or surging. They keep the camera on the finish after the winner crosses to show you gaps to the next people, and then they talk about those gaps and what they mean.
When the race is boring, they show you and tell you about cool stuff that's on the route. Honestly, that's one of the things that drives me the craziest about the NYC marathon and it has nothing to do with race itself. It's supposed to be this huge showcase for all five boroughs and they never even talk about the city! Tell us about Williamsburg, or the 59th Street bridge, or 5th Avenue, or the Central Park reservoir. Talk about anything! Instead it's just, "OK, here's the lead women, Chepchirir looks good, Keptoo looks good, we'll see who wins." "OK, who do you think has the wheels to win?" "I guess we'll see." It's awful.
Lance Armstrong became a star because of a boatload of doping, sure, but also because of the TDF broadcasts. Don't tell me that you can make a three-week race with six-hours days compelling but you can't figure out a way to inject some excitement into a two-hour race.