I find it interesting how popular the Hansons and Letsrun are and have tried to figure out why? I think that it is because both of them are kind of underground movements. What I mean is that they are both anti establishment and not willing to step in line with the old guard. I think that it is more of a hate for USATF than it is a love for Hansons and Letsrun. What do you guys think?
Lucky Bob wrote:
What do you guys think?
We don't.
Have a largely unmoderated message board where most things go and someone who updates the news links on the front page consistently, and you'll have a popular running web site. It's not rocket science. The fact that Wejo at one time was a national-class runner who was good enough for some people to slam (which is a badge of honor), just adds to the popularity.
A web site could not exist based on a hatred for USATF. Most runners, even serious runners couldn't give a crap about USATF.
flaghole, you are such a sycophant
Flagpole Willy wrote:
HThe fact that Wejo at one time was a national-class runner who was good enough for some people to slam (which is a badge of honor), just adds to the popularity.
I think it's also because both Hansons and Letsrun started with the right thing in mind. It wasn't necessarily to make a lot of money or to become famous - it was seeing a need and having the passion to follow through.
I don't know about the Johnson's, but I know the Hansons put a LOT of their own money into their group to get it moving. yes, they might be the big wigs now - but they did it through hard work and passion. You have to respect that.
NEB wrote:
I think it's also because both Hansons and Letsrun started with the right thing in mind. It wasn't necessarily to make a lot of money or to become famous - it was seeing a need and having the passion to follow through.
I don't know about the Johnson's, but I know the Hansons put a LOT of their own money into their group to get it moving. yes, they might be the big wigs now - but they did it through hard work and passion. You have to respect that.
i have no idea what the johnsons or the hansons motivations were/are, but if it was to make a profit, why is that wrong? profit is not a dirty word.
This is very true, Kevin and Keith certainly have always been on the right path with their stores and ODP program. When I ran in their high school cross country invitational in high school, the ODP was a fledging program with Clint and Jim Jurcevich, but even then you could tell they were headed toward success. These were two guys you had never heard of from EMU and MSU making noise at USA national championships. The Hanson athletes were always at those high school meets too, supporting the grass roots, handing out awards, which was very cool for 16 and 17 year old kids.
The only knock I have ever heard on the Hansons here in Michigan is that sometimes the stores themselves seem to cater more toward the competitive-elite type of runner rather than the everyday jogger/recreational runner. However, I've never seen that myself, and if anything I think we could use a little more lean to that side.
Great Job guys, and great races Clint, Brian, Luke, Trent, et al.
Lucky Bob wrote:
I think that it is because both of them are kind of underground movements.
Nah. The Hansons might be counterculture, but Letsrun absolutely is not. The major appeal of this site lies in the entertainment that people find in (mostly) unbridled irresponsible speech.
Letsrun.com is WAY too profane to be mainstream.
profit has its place - but too many times our culture is focused on immediate results - financial or otherwise. Too few people are willing to make sacrifices that don't show immediate payoffs.
Our culture has way too many Budweisers, Britney Spears, and Dean Karnzes - and not enough Sierra Nevadas, John Coltranes, and Brian Sells.
As Bob Dylan would say - "The ones who jump on the wagon
Just for a while 'cause they know it's in style
To get their kicks, get out of it quick
And make all kinds of money and chicks"