Ok so it still doesn't make sense to me why only the shamrock shuffle is able to attract these elite with out prize money. Unless just maybe they are offering appearance or some kind of perks? Last year Matt Downin raced, I don't see him driving from Madison for the love of the sport. And no I haven't noticed that some of the nations "biggest" non marathon races have stopped offering prize money. Last I checked they offering more prize money. So can you please list some race results of races in which proffesional runner's show up no prize money? Your post was just wrong.
brokeas have you noticed that many of the nations "biggest" (non marathon) races have stopped offering money, either altoghether or limiting it to local runners only. So if elite runners want to run in a race with "good" competition there is a decent chance they will be doing it for free. If you think that's a problem talk to race directors. It's their decision, they really just want to make money off of these races. The buzz is that in the future elite runners will be running all road races for free. The sport is now a participant based sport, not a specator based sport. I think it's a tragedy and a disgrace but hey that's the way the cookie crumbles. I've won "prestigious" races this year and haven't earned a penny. I do it for love of the sport. I'll do it no matter what so these race directors are right about one thing. It doesn't matter if they offer money or not. At least not for now.