Meb says Boston didn't make an offer

Ha! I told ya'll so.

That was all bragging, and trying to get Boston to give in. It's so blantly obvious it's not even funny....

and this:

The cloud of not being invited to Boston already has three silver linings.

First, it has me absolutely focused on doing my very best in the 2011 NYC Half-

Marathon on March 20. Second, I will have a chance to run shorter races on the

road and possibly on the track this spring and summer. There are some great

road races that I have not been able to run yet because of Spring Marathons in my

schedule. Now I look forward to racing in these great US Road Races. Third, it

probably makes it possible for me to run both a full marathon this fall and compete

in the Olympic Marathon trials in Houston on January 14, 2012. Three marathons

within nine months might not have been physically possible. Of course, the thought

of the 2012 Olympics already has me excited – with memories of the Silver Medal

I won in Athens and the fact that I currently own three of the four fastest Olympic

trials qualifying times.

Must be hard to swallow for him but there is also opportunity. Given his injury history I'd love to see him run road races and longer track races, no FALL marathon but another Half (Philly distance run?) and then he should have no problem at the trials.

Also excited to see that Meb is actually RACING the NYC Half while Ryan Hall will most likely use it as a hard tempo.

I really don't understand the BAA.

Wisco Fan wrote:

I really don't understand the BAA.

Does anyone? First the totally predictable registration disaster that everyone saw coming BUT them, then it takes them forever to release the new standards, signing a sub par performance Ryan Hall every year, not making Meb an offer etc.

BAA is probably the most valuable brand in Marathon running but it's going downhill right now. At a fast pace.

Wisco Fan wrote:

I really don't understand the BAA.

That's immaterial to this story, as John Hancock is the group that arranges the elite fields for the Boston Marathon.

This is all just good evidence that New York has their stuff together better than Boston.

Wow, this is so wrong. Boston, wake up and smell the coffee. You are heading Downhill!

The BAA often has absolutely no idea what John Hancock is doing. Hancock keeps it that way, and it's been that way for at least ten years.

Really??? wrote:

That was all bragging, and trying to get Boston to give in. It's so blantly obvious it's not even funny....

I agree. To my mind, he comes off very badly in that little essay. I'm very skeptical about his characterization of the "conversation" with Boston, and his assertion that he was not even "invited" to the race this year seems terribly misleading.

Lawyers often say that, when people (usually prospective clients) tell you that it's not about the money, they're lying -- it's always about the money. I'm not willing to go that far; I think that elements of dignity, fair play, and competition often enter into the equation. But in this case, it sounds to me that the determining factor is the amount of money that Meb would consider a "reasonable offer." I don't see any shame in acknowledging that, and I'd respect him more if he did.

That is too bad for Boston. Perhaps, they should try to go for another sponsor or try hard to get involved in what JH is doing.

The only bragging I've ever seen Meb do is in the race, whipping the competition. Even when people have written him off following his injury in 2008 he let his running do the talking. I wish more athletes walked with such humility.

Avocado's Number wrote:

Lawyers often say that, when people (usually prospective clients) tell you that it's not about the money, they're lying -- it's always about the money. I'm not willing to go that far; I think that elements of dignity, fair play, and competition often enter into the equation. But in this case, it sounds to me that the determining factor is the amount of money that Meb would consider a "reasonable offer." I don't see any shame in acknowledging that, and I'd respect him more if he did.

I don't think Meb is saying that it's not about the money. But if his story is believed, it's not that Boston's offer was unreasonable, it's that there was no offer at all. Obviously, it would be interesting to hear John Hancock's side of the story.

What would Meb stand to gain from making up the story. Highly believable if you ask me.

Is it common for races to allow the sponsor to control the elite field or is it just Boston?

um, racism please.

Took him awhile to blog about this "accomplishment".

I love Meb, but completely understand Boston's approach. They are clearly rewarding people for running very fast and winning in 2010. Meb did neither in 2010. Plus, he has not been training hard since NY due to illness. If Boston can make hobby joggers crank out a sub 3:10 to get in, they can certainly require pros to be at their best to get an invite.