The 10k figures were the same that I heard and actually read somewhere, so I absolutely believe that.
Obviously Salazar made a decent figure in 1981 as things were changing and he had predicted a world record which prompted live television coverage for the first time. The amount he was paid may have or may not have had something to do with Bill not running,as in the amount Lebow was willing to pay him versus Alberto, who had won the year before in his first attempt. I watched the race and specifically remember Jim McKay saying that Bill Rodgers will not be running as expected, pulling out at the last hour.
Yes, I remember his company Front Runner Inc., but with Rodgers having won the year (80') before and Seko there as well, I am still curious what they could have paid Craig Virgin to show. Not sure on this, but I believe it was his 2nd marathon and he had run 2:14-2:15 at Chicago, but that is "totally off memory", so I admit up front that I could be dead wrong on that.
Regardless, with Seko there I could see Virgin getting some "okay" money up front, but without major marathon credentials I can't imagine that it was anything huge, even for that time. But with his CC credentials going in, I hope for his sake it was because he had earned it. In addition, you are right, he certainly did know how to market himself, so he could have done better than I seem to think. Craig?
I ran Boston in 82' and he was there....leaning against a wall watching Alberto, Bill, Waitz, among others 2 days before the race doing a question and answer type of thing. I know he was injured and that it must have sucked having to watch versus being up there answering questions. Craig had done the commentary for NY 6 months prior when Alberto ran for the record. He was on the lead vehicle giving a blow by blow of the race. He actually did a pretty decent job and can be seen in the background when Alberto was being interviewed by Jim Lampley after the race. Good memories for sure.
Craig had also ran Falmouth in 81' taking 2nd to Alberto, who set the then course record. Shorter interviewed him after the race and it was funny when Frank said you ran well today but we'd like to see you run a little better and Craig said jokingly "give me a break Frank, I got second place", or something along those lines. I've got that race on Beta but am clueless as to how to upload the thing. Frank actually did the race commentary on that race and he was great.
Bill's 600k, totally believable. The man was running races weekend after weekend. Funny thing happened at one race. He ran a race in Denver in 1982, give or take a year, and got an appearance fee somewhere in the neighborhood of $7,000 to run. Herb Lindsay, living and training there got nothing. When he asked he was told they would waive his entry fee ($5 I think), but then they could use his name for pre-race advertising. Lindsay said something along the lines that I'm only worth the entry fee and Bill got an appearance fee? He then paid the entry fee himself and ran the race, winning. He had gotten out in front of Rodgers and held his 100 plus yard lead the entire race.....until the finish. Then he slowed down and walked/jogged the last stretch until crossing the finish line just ahead of Bill and vacated the area. True story.
So then Craig Virgin, how much did you make to run Boston in 1981:)?
p.s. Sorry for all the race stories, but man this thead brought back some memories on the good ole' days.