Anybody know anything about running agents?

if you're a 28:30ish guy, it probably isn't worth it for you to share your cut with an agent. the added benefit an agent can provide probably isn't worth it - and they probably wouldn't want you anyway. the best things for someone like that to do is either hook up with a training group like hansons where your agent is basically included/shared with a bunch of other runner or, if you don't do that, converse with another runner who has served as his/her own "agent." basically, you'll end up doing a lot of the legwork yourself in terms of contacting RDs and trying to get comps/travel/etc. but someone who has been in the game for a while will tell you what races to spend your efforts on and so on.

What is the deal? wrote:

So, I realize the reason an elite athlete gets an agent is to negotiate contracts, etc. Is that the same for a mid-level elite runner.

For instance, if a guy is running 28:30's in the 10k and just recently graduated...what is the point of getting an agent? If he understands the industry, can he negotiate his own contracts and find his own races? Why would one need an agent to do this for him? Is it illegal to do if you are not an agent? The majority of shoe companies only offer gear and a few domestic races with some incentive packages.

How good do you want to be? Where do you want to run?

If you're just a 28:30 guy all on your own, why would the Brussels MD return your emails when you want entry into his 10,000m when you want a late season chance at sub28? But, if your agent has a number of big stars that the MD wants in his meet, don't you think he'll be more likely to take all of the agent's requests?

Get an agent. It IS worth it for a (mere) 28:30 guy, just out of college to use an agent. Just be disciplined with your personal finances (this means keeping every conceivible receipt from any [possible] running related expense). It is easy to "figure out" the post collegiate scene but there is simply a difference in the way in which a guy with an agent is treated and a guy without one. It just shows that you take what you are doing seriously. I was a 13:40/28:30 for ten years. When I started using an agent I found it much easier to get travel paid to road races and to get into the track races I wanted. Now, I'll have to say that you can't expect an agent to magically get you into a GP I meet in Europe off of 28:30: you will have to run well. I will say that I got better support and got into better US Races when I went from agent-less to using one. I seemed to do better than some 28:10 types who were faster than me but didn't want to pay an agent, as a result I made more money on the roads than a lot of people who were better than me. In my opinion (and actual, personal experience), an agent is worth it.

I appreciate the help. Very good points.

I have a job outside of running, so the Hanson's thing doesn't really appeal to me...

Once again, thanks for the advive.

I will agree that getting into races is much easier with an agent (have had one) but getting into them without was is not impossible. I currently do the job myself and it isn't so bad. You do have to be a little diligent in making sure race directors return your emails/calls but some are better than others. I have found that if you get into a race once it is much easier the next time as you already have a connection and hopefully you have run well there before. Track races seem to be a bit harder. Getting into a big meet like Stanford, Payton Jordan, Pre can be pretty difficult. Ideally your coach might go to bat for you here. In my personal opinion, unless you are trying to get into some European meets, an agent isn't necessary.

Plus, I guess this is just how I feel personally, if a race director won't pay your travel you can always go to the race, clean-up some prize money to pay for the trip and then be on solid ground the following years. If you have a bad race and don't make money, well at least you didn't piss off the race director for bringing in a guy who ran poorly.