If I ran a 3:42 mile tomorrow, how many non-runners would know or care?

I think at least part of the diminished interest in track as a spectator sport can be credited to the rise of sports on television. Track just isn't a great television spectator sport, especially when compared to the NFL, MLB and NBA.

And even if you ran a 3:39 almost no run except runners would be interested.

Are you an American? If an American got the world record back, believe me, the word would get out. Tens of millions of Americans would know your name.

...for about 15 minutes. Then they'd realize that you hadn't won the Olympics, and they'd go about their business.

you'd be famous, probably on the cover of every sports page and magazine, and tons of people would know you... even non runner. So good luck, hope you run 4 42!

Everyone on letsrun would say you're on drugs.

Remember when Gatlin ran 9.77? They played his race on ESPN several times and talked about it. I had several people ask me about it who are not runners. Since the mile is a distance most people can really identify, and since America held the WR for it for quite some time, it would get a lot of press. Even if Lagat ran 3:42, it would get a lot of attention, let alone a white natural born citizen.

Track misses the great opportunities for major hype. When Komen ran back to back sub 4 minute miles that was a great chance to pump something people could think is a big deal. THe marketers for wrestling, monster truck, golf etc. pump their product like crazy. THe average person has totally lost perspective of how could the world class runners are. The occasional drug scandel doesn't help.

Guppy, you have a good memory( and a bit of age ;0) the last time an American held the WR for any amount of time was Ryun july 67 to feb 74 ...Unless you call Sidney Maree's week in '83 a long time.

My parents live in TN. Even there the Gatlin run was not on the front page of the local paper. (He attended UT)

I really don't know if you'd make the entire sports section if you ran 3:42 in another country. It would have to be here.

Remember back in the day we had the US - Soviet track meets. That was great for the sport but perhaps a US - China or US - North Korea track meet wouldn't do the same these days.

Anyway, more realistically, some Track & Field events are made for the sports highlights: Pole Vault, 100/200 Meter Dash, High Jump, Long Jump, 4x100. Maybe we need to bribe the news stations to cut in a clip or two each week to bring back some interest. And we need a big rivalry. We are already the best at some events, which helps but a nasty rivalry would be great! I thought the Powell - Gatlin one was shaping up well but Gatlin screwed it up!

wineturtle. wrote:

Guppy, you have a good memory( and a bit of age ;0) the last time an American held the WR for any amount of time was Ryun july 66 to may 75 ...

Fixed--- I got my 1500's wrapped in my mileteeth and could not see what I was typing. Maree had the 1500 for a week in 83.Ryun had the 1500 from july 67 to feb 74.

Sorry.

I meant to say since America hasn't held the record for quite some time. My mistake.

present wrote:

Are you an American? If an American got the world record back, believe me, the word would get out. Tens of millions of Americans would know your name.

...for about 15 minutes. Then they'd realize that you hadn't won the Olympics, and they'd go about their business.

they would not even recall his name 10 minutes.

ask the average person the name of the 1st person to walk on the moon and i bet they cannot tell you. very sad.