NXN, RunningLane, Champs – Will They All Survive?

100% of those that travel to Alabama to run on the Nation's fastest 5000m* Cross Country Course.

I've said this before:

Footlocker had the chance to add teams, Nike wanted them to. They declined and NXN was born.

At that point FL became irrelevant.
I really believe that if any other shoe company sponsored (?)XN everyone here would be on board. There is a hatred for Nike, I get it, but they do a lot for our sport.

Let another company step up.

It doesn't matter if the course is a little long or short honestly, the kids are still racing against thousands of other kids from all of the country and seeing where they stack up on that day.

Atleast champs and runninglane doesn't make everyone attending sign NDAs.

There are many great reasons people don't like/trust nike.

Interesting. What did Oregon close in December of 2021? Nothing you say?

I really don't want this to turn into yet another Covid thread but I am not sure you know how events work. They don't plan NXN in just December. This is something that takes months or even a full year to plan, get permits, get rentals, etc. You don't want to over extend a bunch of money yet again and then get the event shutdown.

Blah blah blah. They could have chosen a venue in another state. End of story. Nike sucks. They are all about the money. the other 2 races are interested in supporting the runners.

Nobody makes any money hosting xc races, it is an expense that hopes to build a long term brand relationship with hs runners that leads to buying shoes and gear as an adult.

Nike actually only chooses to incur this expense, as Phil Knight was a hs/Oregon xc man. They did not want a different venue for nxn, as the exposure to Nike campus, is an important part of the program.

Other brands don't seem to see any value in this type of event as footlocker, east bay, champs invest very little in that race (and have had recent lack of continuity).

Sorry this isn't true with these large events. For example: The "Champs" West Regional had about 2600 kids. They charged $20 to $40 for early or late registration. Where do you think the $78,000 went?

Well,

renting course/permits

insurance/legal review

timing company

police/city staff/on site medical

signage/ course marking materials

hotel for runners /flights?/local transport

kit/gear for runners

website/ advertising and PR for the meet

kit/gear for race staff/volunteers

hourly wage and expenses for race staff

awards and certificates

video production, photographer, internet stream

agency costs for graphic design, PR, advertising

refreshments/post race drinks

this guy gets it

I've volunteered for years for my local track club and if you think putting on events is a super lucrative endeavor then go ahead and try it. You'll soon find out that most events are just hoping to break even after the dust settles!

Of course for a big brand like Nike, they are doing it for marketing, they have calculated that if I get the fastest kids in our stuff then the rest of the young boys and girls will want it. It doesn't take a brain surgeon to figure out. It is the same thing they did for the USATF deal.

Know your facts before rattling your keyboard. Kinney/Footlocker was the 1st true National Championship in High School athletics. A regional qualifying event that allowed the entire U.S. to participate which culminated into a national meet of absolutely the BEST prep runners in the country. If you were a high school runner of any talent you ran this event...PERIOD! The waters are now muddied with other events that are diluting the quality of the fields and leaves us to guess who in fact is the premier boy and girl runner in the country. Head to Head competition with NO EXCUSES! No hiding or dodging the competition!

I was a race director for 10 years, you don't need to tell me. There is plenty of money in the pot for them to turn a profit. They also have sponsors that are bringing them in additional income over and above race registrations. Some of the things above they aren't paying for, some are also very cheap for an event like this.

You’re credibility is always destroyed when you can’t resist the temptation to say stupid and untruthful stuff like “at that point FL became irrelevant.” Your Nike bias always rears its ugly head.

For 15 years or so the top elite talent across the boys and girls has been pretty evenly distributed between FL and NXN. If/when that moves to say 80%+ in favor of NXN for several years in a row, then you’d be correct in your assessment. However, guys like you have been stating “Nike wins/FL is dead” for years now - you’re not even in broken clock territory as a prognosticator.

Somebody said that RL will be like the NIT going forward - I agree with that.

And in my opinion there is nothing wrong with that. Let the kids continue to compete, even if they don't qualify for NXN or FL.

why should nike get to have the monopoly on the sport? Especially a company that has shown time and time again that they bend/break the rules and want to control the narrative like a communist dictatorship.

Unfortunately there aren't very many principled people left, so everyone just goes along

See the reason why nike and champs are scared of one another and of other post seasons like rl is because each can whittle away at their ability to pay for travel to portland or san diego.

I'd be willing to bet for the 'average' runner they would have a much better experience at rl than at champs or an nxr. the photos from champs at a few regions made it look like a community 5k in the park was just held. zero atmosphere, no excitement. some of the nxr regions were the same, just cash cows for nike.

Your comparing Garmin to the qualification races for the other two. kind of a bait and switch. kids had no issue with the "atmosphere" at NXN last weekend. nor will they with Champs. They drink that all in. the gear. the Nike Campus setting. "best time of my life!!!" etc. Meanwhile not as much sentiment about the after party at Garmin or the awesome motels in Huntsville. the most common social media post made after Garmin was kids diving in the golf course water hazards to clean the mud off...

its ok to be the lesser alternative. its still a perfectly fine meet and an opportunity that wouldnt exist otherwise. but spare us trying to sell it as obviously a better experience to your average 17 year old than NXN or Champs.

When did I try to sell it as better, I stated it was better for the 'average' runner.

Ask yourself and honest question, why are all the photos from nike stock images taken by hired media? Why aren't there any photos on socials from kids? There have been a few here and there.

Also from a nike shill coach that was at nxn(out of his own mouth) there wasn't alot of atmosphere. Sure you lock a bunch of teenagers in a hotel with loud music and hormones raging they will have a good time. Anyone can replicate that though to be honest. Why hasn't all the drama at the end of the night been leaked yet? oh I know NIKE LAWYERS AND NDAs.

i.rex just cause you are registered and post alot doens't mean you know sh!t......I have sources who have been at all the events and speak candidly about each.....which one have you been to recently....I'll hang up and listen.

since you brought it up....what is the different between these 2:

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and this:

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For starters: less homeless begging outside of one, I'll let you figure out which one that is.

Also words you won't find in the champs or rl info.

"Please make sure to remove all valuables from your vehicle prior to parking."