Those distance races are way too big. They need to cut them in half. 20 or fewer in each heat. People were running in lane 3 and 4 for a good portion of the races.
That's how it's been in L.A. for 100s of years. L.A. is the sports capitol of the world with more pro, college, prep sports teams and athletes than any part of the globe. Everyone moves here from all over the world to train and compete.
If they want better position then they should run faster tbh. There athletes in lane 3 and 4 a lot of the time, but if there was an athlete who was in lane 3 or 4 for most of the race, that's their fault. I think it's a fair tradeoff that you get perfect conditions and a great field to pull you to a fast time, but you have to go pretty wide to pass.
If they want better position then they should run faster tbh. There athletes in lane 3 and 4 a lot of the time, but if there was an athlete who was in lane 3 or 4 for most of the race, that's their fault. I think it's a fair tradeoff that you get perfect conditions and a great field to pull you to a fast time, but you have to go pretty wide to pass.
It you wanted to be in lane 1 for the race, go out fast and maybe take the lead for some of the race. That's just how it is. If you don't want to be ambition and you want others to take you through a fast time, you should expect to be in lane 2/3 for a good portion of the race.
Those distance races are way too big. They need to cut them in half. 20 or fewer in each heat. People were running in lane 3 and 4 for a good portion of the races.
Yeah, clearly something is wrong with the setup when only 69 kids are breaking 9, only 28 are breaking 8:50. It’s why these kids run so much faster at other meets throughout the season.
Solution: run the 3200s in lanes, 8 runners per heat. Start with the slow heats in mid March and finish up around this time to coincide with March Madness.
Those distance races are way too big. They need to cut them in half. 20 or fewer in each heat. People were running in lane 3 and 4 for a good portion of the races.
Yes, those heats were too packed, just like previous years. But there wasn't anyone in lane 3 after the first 2 laps unless they were trying to pass.
I would agree. Having 40 guys of very similar ability all in one field for a mid distance race is asking for problems. I think putting that many into a 5k or 10k is a bit more reasonable, but 3200 is only an 8-10 min race. Even if they had good coaching and knew that running in lane 2 on multiple turns was bad, it was impossible for some to grab a spot on the rail.
It seems to me that their system is working just fine. It's been like this for many years and athletes are choosing to run these races - they aren't being forced into this situation.
Given the trade off of denying half the field entry into the meet to keep field sizes smaller or keeping the current situation, I vote for the latter.
Note that I've had two athletes compete in the fastest section of the 3200. Neither complained about the field size.
It seems to me that their system is working just fine. It's been like this for many years and athletes are choosing to run these races - they aren't being forced into this situation.
Given the trade off of denying half the field entry into the meet to keep field sizes smaller or keeping the current situation, I vote for the latter.
Note that I've had two athletes compete in the fastest section of the 3200. Neither complained about the field size.
The only reason to change would be if there are too many trips and falls. While there are some few, the organizers must feel they have the balance right.
I have to say, having watched Arcadia I pull my hair out when a small local meet runs two heats of the 3200 with a total of under 35 runners. Just throw everyone out there and keep the meet moving along.