I am pleased anytime a competitive runner can make money through the sport.
Can someone explain what is wrong with giving $10,000 to the first local at the Las Vegas Marathon?
It seems like a great idea to get the locals to come out and compete to try to win a nice check.
The only critism I can see is that the money should be split into the top 3 instead of just the winner takes all but that is about it.
There is absolutely nothing wrong with awarding $10,000 to the top local in the Vegas area!
I can't imagine Robert or Weldon actually meant it the way it comes across on the front page actually. It sounds more like the incredulous Wejo speaking off the cuff versus the critical Wejo. I mean it can't be any worse than some amateur winning $100K+ in an online poker game! I'd certainly take it without any complaints, we all wish there was more money going around in competitive running.
How about Ben du Bois from Australia winning $50,000 at the recent mountain race in Nigeria! Yes, he is a great mountain runner, but it was a paved uphill road race. And more importantly, where does the state organizer in Nigeria get the money to pay this kind of award? I mean it is great for the competitors, but we are talking about a country where I imagine the money could be better spent, versus Vegas! I mean it is about time Vegas gave some money back.
I think generally the prize money should be in relation to the performance. $50,000 is going to the winner. $10,000 to the top local finisher is too much of this in my opinion. But the race is free to market itself how it wants. It will get all the top locals to run now which is a plus to them I guess they have determined. It will generate local news which is a positive. It just seems a bit much in relation to everything else but perhaps that is what they are trying to do. I'm glad to see the race with new management and big $$$ as LV is a natural place for a big marathon.
It looks like there's a local Ethiopian who is going for at least that 10 grand. That 10 grand may not be as easy at it looks.
Weldon, YOU are the one who is RIDICULOUS!!!
What is TRULY ridiculous is some fat slob putting a golf ball on the grass for 200th place in a tournament and gettting $20,000!!!
If it takes the good old filthy lucre to kick start local runners, then so be it. We all know that there is little money in our sport compared to golf, tennis, NFL, NBA and MLB, so why are you condemning it????!! You owe us Nevadans an apology!!!!
Jason
wejo wrote:
I think generally the prize money should be in relation to the performance. $50,000 is going to the winner. $10,000 to the top local finisher is too much of this in my opinion. But the race is free to market itself how it wants. It will get all the top locals to run now which is a plus to them I guess they have determined. It will generate local news which is a positive. It just seems a bit much in relation to everything else but perhaps that is what they are trying to do. I'm glad to see the race with new management and big $$$ as LV is a natural place for a big marathon.
And who decides what the relation to performance should be set at? Not to overly simplify the question, but do we want more money in running or not? A race that gives a much larger amount to the local sub-elite runners is going to raise the standard for other large races in terms of local and U.S. prize money. And this in turn will raise the standard for mid-level elite races and non-elite races. And this will allow more runners to pursue running exclusively. I don't see how giving a much larger amount of money to the local racers can do anything but help bring more money to runners and further U.S. running success.
I also think that you, Wejo, should perhaps think about the impact your statements have in the running community. On the front page of the most frequented running site (I presume, it's the one I go to the most) you disparage large purses for non-elite runners, making it easier for the race directors of, say, NYC or Chicago, or even Twin Cities or some other second-tier marathon to not match what Las Vegas has done. "Well, if Wejo and the hordes on letsrun think this is too much, why should I, RD of Marathon-X, step up to the plate and match Las Vegas?" Don't fool yourself by thinking that these types of thoughts don't occur.
You may think that the relation to performance is out of line for the money, indeed, it seems a bit steep to me too. And you have every right to put whatever you want on the front page of your website, but I do think you should be aware of the impact your comments have. With that statement, I believe you've hurt the elite and sub-elite and racing community in general by lowering expectations and standards, by saying that the status-quo money-wise is at least somewhat reasonable.
???
Back in the mid-1980's there was gimmicky 10K race held in Las Vegas (I think) and featuring the fastest amateur runners from every state. There were rules about never having won any prize money, yada yada yada. They handed out either $100K or $500K to the winners. I don't know who won for the men, pretty sure it was Gina Sperry for the women.
Anyone remember this thing? If they held it today, in the internet/letsrun age, all 100 male and female entrants would be thoroughly savaged well before the race even began, and even more thoroughly savaged afterward.
Howard Dean Karnazes wrote:
Back in the mid-1980's there was gimmicky 10K race held in Las Vegas (I think) and featuring the fastest amateur runners from every state. There were rules about never having won any prize money, yada yada yada. They handed out either $100K or $500K to the winners. I don't know who won for the men, pretty sure it was Gina Sperry for the women.
Anyone remember this thing? If they held it today, in the internet/letsrun age, all 100 male and female entrants would be thoroughly savaged well before the race even began, and even more thoroughly savaged afterward.
I heard about this, but I seem to remember it was held in Colorado (I think it was a CC race).
They could have done it multiple years.
Jeff Smith won some sort of "million dollar" race
back in the very early 80's. Those of you who remember who he is may be able to fill in the particulars.
As for LV parting with $10k for the top local: My
step mother won that much on a video poker machine at the local casino. Sounds like a lot of money but in the grand scheme of things, well, as was pointed out, Wejo won a LOT more than that in an online poker tournament. LAST place in golf turnaments and Nascar races gets more.
It's a great opportunity for the locals in LV. There is little valid reason to criticize it.
tournaments - my bad.
Whoa
when did wejo win 100k in poker?
any details?
Yeah, when did he win that? Verification anyone?
* wrote:
Jeff Smith won some sort of "million dollar" race
back in the very early 80's. Those of you who remember who he is may be able to fill in the particulars.
As for LV parting with $10k for the top local: My
step mother won that much on a video poker machine at the local casino. Sounds like a lot of money but in the grand scheme of things, well, as was pointed out, Wejo won a LOT more than that in an online poker tournament. LAST place in golf turnaments and Nascar races gets more.
It's a great opportunity for the locals in LV. There is little valid reason to criticize it.
I guess it just shows how little $$$ there is in running that my first reaction to them giging $10,000 to the top local person was "this is crazy." Margarety Okayo may only get $50,000 and she's been one of the top marathoners in the world.
I'm supportive of what the Las Vegas race is doing overall. I think its a nice addition to the sport i just don't like the $10,000 thing.