Taylor and Huddle getting rejected by Chicago

Managers block other runners all the time. You can have runners A,B,C, but you can't allow runners X,Y,Z to compete.

Sorry but no one blocked Huddle or Taylor.

Here is the story, according to Taylor, Huddle, and Chicago.

womensrunning.com

Postpartum Comebacks: Americans Kellyn Taylor and Molly Huddle Are Ready to Race the New York City Marathon

mmitchell

This year’s women’s field at the 2023 New York Marathon might be the deepest in the 52-year history of the race.

Open link

You think either of them was running for free?

Why run this marathon so close to the trials? It signals both know they have no chance to make the Olympic team. Have any Americans raced 11 weeks out from the marathon trials and made the team before? As far as them not getting big appearance fee offers from Chicago, both just had kids and have not raced well in marathons in 4 years or more, why offer them cash? Chicago is not a charity organization. Smarter decision would be to race the trials fresh without NYC beforehand, place high and use that as a resume builder. But they are taking the NYC appearance money knowing they would not make the trials anyway. Is it better to take short term cash or go for a long term investment when they are pushing 40?

Excellent post above. Neither have proven as of Kate they are worthy of appearance fees for a marathon.

Taylor played to a sold-out show at Soldier Field. Chicago loved her.

Chicago also already had the three big draws in Bates, Sisson and Seidel. And they had Chepngetich and Hassan. I wouldn’t criticize the organizers at all.

No, but the way this is being spun is that they wanted to run Chicago but the organizers were being unfair to two women that were on the comeback after giving birth. It's quite a different thing when you add in that they also wanted an appearance fee. As Thoughtsleader said, Chicago paid for several huge stars on the women's side, not everyone can have an appearance fee. If NY paid them, then great for them and NY. I just think it's looking a little harsh on Chicago.

This post makes the most sense. While I would love to see Taylor make the team for 2024, this is strictly a money flow issue. The elite women's field included a bunch of people who had no business there, Kellyn belonged in that field and the only possible excuse would be if she demanded a large appearance fee. New York chose to offer that. Molly is looking at the end of her competitive carer and obviously chose the money over the competition or a chance at another team. Can't fault either one of them, they made their choices.

You have to be a bit slow to need that spelled out for you. Same thing when an athlete doesn’t have a contract. It isn’t cause Nike wouldn’t sign them. It is cause they want more money than the companies think they are worth.

Yes, Meb ran NY in 2011 and came back and won the 2012 trials on Jan 14, 2012. I wouldn't recommend it but it can be done.

Meb ripped it up!

Chicago had a decent American elite field and a strong quality international field. The three American women who ran were legitimately looking to break the American record, which is seven minutes faster than Taylor and Huddle’s best times. No offense to the two of them, but they were going to be ‘also rans’ and there likely would be nothing newsworthy about their races.

NY is desperate to get American runners because most want to save themselves for the trials in 11 weeks, no matter what their personal bests are.

What sort of appearance fees would the american pro women get for Chicago or New York?

Well they, you know, just gave birth. They both have recent 2:26s. Huddle's PBs speak on their own.

I see this as a non-story. The article isn't clear if the race wouldn't accept them or if NYC put together a better package. Chicago is about running fast. Maybe NYC wanted two women who had children recently in their pro field. There was a big NYT article today on both of them. Tough choice for them if NYC put more money on the table. I'm sure Chicago would've had them but they base their race day narratives around chasing world & national records. Probably would've given them bibs & not much else. NYC probably gets them an appearance fee tied to some speaking engagements that you don't really see at Chicago. Tough timeline for the Trials but it's a business decision at the end of the day & they're both probably not going to be seen as top-5 threats there.

At this point in their careers, yes. Why would any race director give them an appearance fee? They’re irrelevant at this point. Them being in the race provides zero value. And they werent rejected. Just not offered appearance fee

For once Huddle is not the one doing the blocking.

Haven't proven worthy of appearance fees? Huddle still holds several US national records.

Also, she is not by any means done or not considering Paris. She might need this Marathon to bring her on for a trials attempt.

Ray Treacy knows what he is doing and will give her the best chance she has to fulfill her goals over the next couple of years. I am happy Molly has the sense to listen to Ray and not come here to take direction from this nonsense. It has been the key to her success over the years.

She also happens to be an incredibly nice person who gives back to the sport. She has been nice enough to come talk to our small team for no money at all a couple of times now and has made a major difference for our athletes. Try finding an athlete amongst the top of their sport that is willing to do that.