Ritz Please Run World Cross

Bit Ness wrote:

It's bitness. If XC doesn't pay, then why should Ritz waste his time. He could get injured. Better to run maras, RRs, and TV meets that pay upfront.

I disagree with posters limiting his chances. He placed 24th in the 12K as a college frosh or soph. Twist around reasons or blow smoke that the 4K had a couple runners. But since that 24th, Ritz ran an AR 12:56 in his worst event (that he runs on occasion). He's also showing every sign of never peaking this season, meaning he should be improving very soon.

Also, do we know he wouldn't get paid?? Bekele would be blowing a bigger payday, if that was the case.

r.t.i. wrote:

You're wrong, there'll be a World Half Champs, which plays more to Ritz's strengths in terms of what will be his best event for a podium finish at the Olympics or WC. I think it might pay as well as WXC does, too. Ritz would get beat by Bekele and others whether Ritz runs WXC or not. You're confusing correlation for causation.

The competition in the half isn't nearly what world XC is. That's inarguable and if that isn't good enough reason on its own, then we're 2 entirely different fans. In Ritz' 5K, besides the AR, all the electricity was him gaining on the best, Bekele. None of it was him beating other runners. I want to see Ritz mix it up with the best in the best races.

Competition in the half won't be nearly what it would be in Boston and NYC, either. Ritz would still have enough competition in the half, he wouldn't be a favorite to win, and it would help as much or more in readying him to run his best marathon and, guess what, it would make a difference to very few people if he ran the half and not xc. I'm not a fan, I'm taking a realistic perspective. Look at how often Salazar has had Kara run world xc since she started training under him. Ritz decides when and where to race based on what's best for his career aspirations, not based on what a handful of fans think is best. Bekele isn't missing any paydays (track meets in late March and April?) to run world xc, and he's obviously more motivated by national pride than top American runners like Ritz are.

r.t.i. wrote:

...it would make a difference to very few people if he ran the half and not xc.I'm not a fan...

...Ritz decides when and where to race based on what's best for his career aspirations, not based on what a handful of fans think is best...

People still talk about Ritz' junior world cross 3rd place finish almost 10 years ago. Running the senior race would be huge.

Every pro athlete wants to be aware of what his fans want, for obvious reasons. And don't twist this and argue against something I never said. Fan interest is a real factor.

The NYC or Boston marathons would be a big deal. I agree there. But world cross is once/year and even elite marathons are available different parts of the year. Why do you need explaining here?? Before your next post, think for a second, before sending it.

Who? A few dozen fanboys on a backwater website?

Yes, but Andy Pettit doesn't ask John Q. Bronx to determine his pitch count or which team he should sign a contract with.

Boston and NYC winners make my local newspaper's sports section. WXC winners do not. Media exists to deliver what readers want. What's there to think about, this makes it perfectly clear where fan interest lies. Step outside your myopic bubble sometime and maybe you'll figure it out someday.

r.t.i. wrote:

Who? A few dozen fanboys on a backwater website?

Andy Pettit doesn't ask John Q. Bronx to determine his pitch count or which team he should sign a contract with.

In the last year, there've been 19,308 posts regarding Ritz and his Junior XC race (link below). That's 8 years later. Interest in a current senior race, off his 12:56, would be obvious and huge.

Ritz marathoned and ran WC track 10K this season. Without world track champs next year, subbing the soft surface 12K XC, will be easier on the legs and elite marathoning. There are also more elite marathons available, than he can run (NYC, Boston, Chicago, London). Far as Pettit, I didn't say Ritz should sign with Adidas instead of NIKE.

Except maybe you should scan your own search results more carefully. That's 19,308 posts that contain at least one of these terms: "ritz," "cross," "junior." Not all three. So B.S. flag planted right on top of your claim.

Just ONE of the domestic elite marathons (Boston, NYC, Chicago) garners more domestic attention than WXC does. Believe it or not.

Ritz doesn't sign agreements only with apparel sponsors, he signs them to receive appearance fees at marathons, as well. The appearance fee he can command from a single marathon from today forward would probably be far greater than what his apparel sponsor pays him before bonuses. It'd also be far more than what he could earn by running WXC.

ttc wrote: Don't forget: His XC ability has usually been better than his track ability

I've seen this said a lot, and i don't believe it at all. Ritz won XC nats as a sr....and granted did take 3rd, but was blown away by the best in that jr xc meet, but he went on to run the second fastest HS time ever in the 5k in track by .7 in his only challenged race.

Then as a frosh he finishd 5th? in XC, but also went 13:27 in the 5k which was one of the best times back then, and basically 11 seconds faster than the AJR holder at the time, but was a day short of being eligible. In each instance, i consider his track performances better. He went on to set the ACR in the 10k as a jr....he has also run 811 in the 2mile which at the time was his best commpetition ever IMO, and now 1256 in the 5k..again his best competition ever.

What has he done in XC, other than his one standout 3rd in WJ Cross that even remotely compares?

Ritz is awesome. But, you are a tool!

Wasn't Ritz like 62nd, right behind Withrow and Dobson, the last time he ran WXC? Even Hall finished much higher than that the last time he ran WXC.

Ritz in WXC

Honestly, ttc, what makes more sense:

Run Boston or London and make $80,000-$100,000 in appearance fees

or

Run world cross for free and hope to make the top eight for pride

I'm sure I know which one his wife wants.

A lot of this seems to stipulate that Ritz WILL run a spring marathon next year. Seems like a reasonable question would be WILL he run a spring marathon. With no WCs, it is conceivable he could run world cross, take some down time (less than a spring marathon), and get ready to chase the 10k AR semi-early in the summer; then, goes on to run Chicago/NYC.

Why Ritz can contend for the win: Ritz finished 24th at '02 World XC as a teenager. In 2010, he can contend in what many have called the world's greatest & most competitive elite distance race. Finishing 3.95 seconds behind Bekele in Ritz' admitted weakest distance event is my proof that he can contend in the 12K. That's less crazy than gaining on Bekele in a 5K finish.

Why Ritz can enter the race: Ritz ran world track champs and marathoned in 2009. Salazar said running on softer surfaces is easier on the legs. This means it will be easier to race world XC champs instead of world track champs. Ritz also has 4 elite marathons to chose from. That means it's more than feasible that elite marathoning and world XC could work. I'm not asking him to give up 6 figures. I'm saying if he can make it work and get his payday with a preferable marathon, then that's what I (and you, admit or not) want to see. If Ritz can finish 3.95 seconds behind Bekele in his admitted weakest event... then I want to see him line up against him in the XC 12K.

Hopefully the answer is in this quote from Salazar to Ritz after Zurich, “You’re one of the best runners in the world and you need to race the best runners in the world.”

ttc wrote:

I want to see him line up against him in the XC 12K.

He already has.

Junglist wrote:

Wasn't Ritz like 62nd, right behind Withrow and Dobson, the last time he ran WXC? Even Hall finished much higher than that the last time he ran WXC.

He's get $60,000 if he wins, plus a bonus from Nike. If he finishes out of the medals or DNFs, he's SOL.

If he signs on to Boston or London, as long as he makes the starting line, he's making in the range of six figures, no matter if he makes it to 5k or not.

You're thinking like someone who doesn't make their living from their sport. When it's your job, fun takes a back seat to dollars and cents.

hotsauceinmybag wrote:

ttc wrote:

I want to see him line up against him in the XC 12K.

He already has.

Junglist wrote:

Wasn't Ritz like 62nd, right behind Withrow and Dobson, the last time he ran WXC? Even Hall finished much higher than that the last time he ran WXC.

Unbelievably dumb post by you. Your every word of it.

i really don't think the oregon project lets their racing schedules be dictated by paychecks

if ritz wants six-figures, alberto will call up phil and make it happen