UKA/ fasttrack/ distance running

couldn't agree more. it is difficult, though not impossible, to get reasonable 5k race. It is impossible to get 10k races.

to make matters worse, most of the bmc races on on weekdays which makes it hard for working athletes to make the trip. to make a 5k race in solihull on a wed night (9-10pm) an athlete in london would need twos days off.

Agree with you waz, but posting this here isn't going to do much. As Bazza just pointed out, we'll be repeating ourselves 12 months down the line.

First thing to do would be to send this in the AW. I'm sure you could cut and paste a few of your posts on here and get a decent printable letter out of it.

As to your other point about the runners doing it for themselves, again wholeheartedly agree. More shouts should go out for the work put in by Dave Norman on this point as per the London Marathon thread. We owe it to guys like Dave and Andy to make sure everyone knows what they are trying to do. I can think of two guys I regularly run with who would either benefit from the pacing suggested or who might be able to help with that - I'll make sure they know about it.

wannabekila wrote:

couldn't agree more. it is difficult, though not impossible, to get reasonable 5k race. It is impossible to get 10k races.

to make matters worse, most of the bmc races on on weekdays which makes it hard for working athletes to make the trip. to make a 5k race in solihull on a wed night (9-10pm) an athlete in london would need twos days off.

Check out the BMC website - all 2004 Grand Prix are on weekends.

waz wrote:

I think the only way to push on for those sub elite athletes is to get their heads together and organise their own races, whether they are tagged on to the side of BMC meets or regional track leagues, what do people think?

Totally agree with you there, waz. I suggest all those who would jump at the chance to run in more quality 3k, 5k and 10k races as part of BMC/LMEI meets should maybe start by emailing Tim Grose at the BMC. Go to the BMC website and click on Contact.

I've already emailed my thoughts to the BMC and the organisers of the Belgrave Speed Grand prix. I just don't have more time to do much more as I'm trying to work and train and do up a house.

A few things you might want to consider :-

UKA has no control over the races that are in fastrack meets. They can have input but the final decision is fastrack's under the terms of their contract.

UKA cannot affect the date of the BAL events.

All of the BMC events are on weekends this year.

Generally UKA does not promote events itself - it piggy backs other peoples events i.e. cross country trials are within CAU, track trials are in AAA's etc.

I havnt seen the list of endurance events to be held with BMC races this year - are they published yet ?

waz wrote:

I've already emailed my thoughts to the BMC and the organisers of the Belgrave Speed Grand prix. I just don't have more time to do much more as I'm trying to work and train and do up a house.

and post regularly on letsrun.

:)

Just the same myself.

dicker wrote:

A few things you might want to consider :-

UKA has no control over the races that are in fastrack meets. They can have input but the final decision is fastrack's under the terms of their contract.

UKA cannot affect the date of the BAL events.

All of the BMC events are on weekends this year.

Generally UKA does not promote events itself - it piggy backs other peoples events i.e. cross country trials are within CAU, track trials are in AAA's etc.

I havnt seen the list of endurance events to be held with BMC races this year - are they published yet ?

I'm sure you're right technically, but what's the point in UKA if they can't do anything about any of this?

And don't get me started on the Leagues in this country at the moment. Bunch of dinosaurs. The BAL/UK league is bad enough, but have you ever spend a day at a Southern League match? 6 hours go by, and roughly thirty people from 6 different clubs have jogged four events each. And as for the field events... Why on earth there's a full program at each match god only knows. A lot needs changing but for starters they could just have one sprint, one throw, one relay, one horizontal jump each time, and perhaps have four scorers in each.

The officialdom at these league events is ridiculous, I stopped even entertaining the regional leagues when I saw a steeplechase in which all the competitors climbed the barriers with their hands and lifted themselves over, I think it was won in 13.30. Whats the point, just scrap it!

UKA is good at grass roots level. Your right here though. They do absolutely shit all for most who get to a good standard. At this level its largely left up to us to make sure someone provides the opportunities we deserve.

hey guys

never mind about. UkA the good british runners should go to the states. Look at Gavin Thompson and Antony Ford they are probably the two best up and coming british distance runners U23 and they are in the states the uk need to get their policies right

I just came back from the States and it did me a lot of good. I'm back now though and look where I am. Injured! No support! The States is a great opportunity for young distance runners. Its an ideal environment for athletes where you receive constant attention to your training and any injuries you may sustain but what after that? Its back to the UK to receive zero help. There needs to be more of a support system in this country. We can't rely on that 2-5 year window of opportunity in the states to become world class.

Great post fellas, let's do this. If we get enough interest we could certainly put on our own races within meets. The thing is to figure out where to have them and what dates to use. I'd be more than willing to help out for something like this. So let's get it started, e-mail me if you're really interested in doing something about the number of quality 5000m and 10000m races in England and we can get a discussion list going. Here's my address:

mattnorminton@hotmail.com

Don't quote me on this point but If my memory serves me I think a 10k was organised the year of the commonwealth's in order for British women to qualify.

The race was at Stretford and I think Bud Buldaro along with that scottish girl who past away soon after (sorry don't know her name) oranized it.

The guy who run's the BMC's at stretford is a top chap and his name is Mike Harris. I'm sure he would help you guys out.

However, I have been down at stretford a few years back when the North of england 10k was on but only about 4 or 5 runners turned up. On top of that is there not a 10k at the inter counties as well.

I'm a shorter disatnce guy so there are plenty of quality races for me. But why don't you guys arange, say, to run the inter counties or North of England champs (you could enter as a guest) and help each other out.

I think there may well be enough races on the calander but you all need to agree to turn up and race. Obviously, it is not quite as simple as that but if you could UKA or the BMC to provide a pace maker it could be ideal.

So perhaps there are enough races yet you need a pace maker or two to help you out. Just an idea!

Best of luck!!

Are pacemakers allowed to run in championship races?

Good point Plato. Only heard from one person so far, c'mon guys, this could be your chance to potentially do something for us sub elite guys! Matt

In the summer just gone a 5km race was organised at the uni of birmingham by Bud Baldaro to help a couple of lads attempt to get the qualifying time for the juniors and u23.

If a few people get in contact with bud, races would be organised but no-one seems to do anything about it. I know loads of athletes that would be up for organising 3km, 5k races.

There is another 10k for women - in the BUSA's as last year. Gateshead (?) 2nd May.

Need another good mens track 10k that fits in to the season.

UKA put pacemakers in to both mens and womens AAA Champs last year, so they could do so again. What finish time are you thinking of ?