Good on them wrote:
Marine Corp.
"Marine Corps"
Good on them wrote:
Marine Corp.
"Marine Corps"
Scott,
I realize that every year.....you go out and measure up a nice accurate course....but why not take the lead....and be the guy on race morning in a van with the banners/markers.....just ahead of the start...to make sure those mile/KM markers are in the right place. No one better knows where they belong than the guy that measured the course. You would have plenty of time to get to your cozy spot at the finish...do the announcing...and you would sleep well knowing that the markers were spot on....and the course was laid out just as you measured it...with no question. This would resolve a big headache that the race seems to get grilled on every year. Sometimes it can be very difficult to set-up a big city course in the wee hours....so who better than the guy who knows. Just bill them a few extra bucks for your efforts.
Just my two cents.
Friend, your proposal is worthy, however here's what my itinerary would look like race morn if I were to go around the course to ensure mile marks were in their correct places:
3:30 a.m. Rise
3:40 Run for about 30 min
4:30ish Report to vehicle for inspection of course
6:30ish be done w/the inspection
This inspection assumes the race committee has made arrangements to put the mile marks out in the 'wee hours' so I could check on them. I don't know when they put them out.
Why would I have to get such an early start? I have to be at the start by 6:30 am. I'm stuck w/talking about the race between 6:30 am- 1:15 pm. I would be willing to take the tour if asked by the director and were, as you put it, paid a bit for my efforts. I'd be veeeeery tired of the whole morning by the 4 hour mark in the marathon tho. That would not be a good thing. Geesh, I already get tired of hearing myself talk earlier every year w/all the stuff going on.
Again, I feel there's merit to your proposal but I have personal misgivings about being the mile marker inspector...and don't want to get into finger pointing. I'm just as surprised as anybody when I hear about stuff that's gone wrong w/the race. The stuff I feel worst about is hearing about runners/wheelers getting off course.
On topic; I don't know what added benefit there is for the marathon to be able to announce their date 2 1/2 months eariler than the past. Look at their recent numbers- WAY UP. They already have to cap the relays & half-marathon while marathon #'s gradually creep up. In general, it's a positive to announce now. I hope there isn't a home football game that day (why over 50,000 people would want to see the most pathetic pro football team of all time is a mystery to me but...I digress).
If there is a home football game, what would be the point to even have the race on that day?? Think about it closed roads for the race and people going to the game. I don't see how Detroit can do both on the same day. They need cops to cover the game and also every intersection for the race. Guess which one will get the shaft......the marathon.
Pat Ball is a good RD, but not knowing what the NFL schedule is not very smart.
Does anyone else agree?
Good on them wrote:
1. The Expo was a flea market. No booths from the major shoe companies. Just local retailers and the garbage mail order firms. No elite runners giving talks. No elite personalities signing books or anything else.
Tim Broe was at the expo a couple of years ago.
The middle aged joggers didn't recognize him.
fred wrote:
Good on them wrote:1. The Expo was a flea market. No booths from the major shoe companies. Just local retailers and the garbage mail order firms. No elite runners giving talks. No elite personalities signing books or anything else.
Tim Broe was at the expo a couple of years ago.
The middle aged joggers didn't recognize him.
Did anyone see the New Balance merchandise or are you blind?? The expo does have a major shoe retailer and it is New Balance and will be for the next 3 years. Also, I know for sure Dick Beardsley will be giving a talk this year.