I'd like to see him run the World Championships, it would be interesting to see how well he would place there, and there's decent prize money. He'd probably get paid more running Chicago, would a World Championship medal be out of the question?
I'd like to see him run the World Championships, it would be interesting to see how well he would place there, and there's decent prize money. He'd probably get paid more running Chicago, would a World Championship medal be out of the question?
I agree that Hartmann deservces more respect for not only placing 4th two years in a row at Boston and being the top American, but also for having a long, consistent, competitive career. But in our modern times of the digital age and shrinking pots of corporate monies, athletes marketing themselves, taking a more "business approach" and politicking for yourself is critical. Hartmann has to assume some responsibility and begin to respect himself before a major contract is offered. So what do I mean and what does it look like? We only have to look to guys like Symmonds, Ritz, Hall, Meb, Hansons and (sighs) Rupp to see the importance of approaching professional running as that--a profession with inherent business principles. Symmonds is not even the fastest American, but folks know him. I'm a huge Hartmann fan and there are others who'd like to see him respected more by the running community. But like any other business and profession, respect isn't given nor is it as simply being earned. It has to include an equally balanced aspect of performance, marketing, political positioning ("hey, look at me and what I've done"), and likeability from the general public. Hartmann has to work on his interviews as well; watching him behind the mic was like watching grass grow. I'm sure some will disagree with that last piece, but if the public doesn't know you AND like you, why should a company stamp their shoe brand on your chest? Guess what, they won't and you'll be a GREAT marathoner with no sponsor.
How much respect is he lacking, and from whom? How do you accurately measure the total amount of respect he gets?