I support Competitor group's decision to withdraw support for Elite Athletes

Do it wrote:[/]

2. I care more about the runner who busted his @ss like I am mine to get where he is than a guy riding on comfy accommodations like Rupp or other training group.

Then why are you spending your time on a website that devotes 90% of it's coverage to elite runners? Why not just jack off to Joe Back-of-the-Pack''s blog and get on with your day?

So you're saying that Pro's in our sport should continue to, or basically live in deeper poverty than they already do? That's helping the sport on the International level a lot. Thanks for your vote of confidence. I'm sure these guys/gals will continue to run with the worlds best while they're working part time at Burger King or sweeping floors at their local gym.

GWT wrote:

So you're saying that Pro's in our sport should continue to, or basically live in deeper poverty than they already do? That's helping the sport on the International level a lot. Thanks for your vote of confidence. I'm sure these guys/gals will continue to run with the worlds best while they're working part time at Burger King or sweeping floors at their local gym.

The problem that I see with our current "model" is that it relies on businesses to support our top athletes. That will work as long as businesses see value in doing that. But when a company decides that they can get 20,000 people in their race no matter who wins and places well they're likely to do what Competitor is doing. I don't like their decision but it's not my business to run.

The OP is correct. There was a time when all runners were completely on their own in terms of support. Some of us managed to do it and not just by working at Burger King and living in poverty. Realistically, those days are gone and I doubt that many of our top people would stay in the sport if they had to work a full time job.

If we want to have developmental programs for our athletes and rely on corporations to fund them the programs will be mostly unstable. The ones supported by shoe companies may be the exception here. But it's really USATF's and the USOC's job to deal with athlete development.

C'mon man! Money is already tight and epo and thyroid meds ain't getting any cheaper. Without us pros you guys wouldn't have anyone to argue over and would have to leave your mom's basement.

The Competitor group is not interested in any form of competition. Their events are targeting the masses and the maximum amount of money they can make from them. It really is as simple as that.

Prizes in most of the RnR events are already very weak and don't attract many fast runners.

This is just another step in the same direction.

And this attitude is why track/road racing will continue to be on ESPN8 and online only subscriptions.

BTW I think this is a trolling effort.

Do it wrote:

2. I care more about the runner who busted his @ss like I am mine to get where he is than a guy riding on comfy accommodations like Rupp or other training group.

That's fine. Just don't expect too many medals.

yep, troll. Using that logic, we would have no NFL, MLB, NBA, etc.

I wish there were a way for them to pay better with out the need to import nameless, faceless Kenyans.

For years they brought in these guys and honestly they didnt provide anything. What's the point? The RnR race in my town brings in a huge number of runners, none of whom care about some D Level Kenyan winning.

This year one of our local stand outs won and it really got a lot of attention. It created more "buzz" in the local area than any of the previous 10 winners.

They should just put up better money for the winner and let whoever shows up go for it.

AnonymousGuy wrote:

They should just put up better money for the winner and let whoever shows up go for it.

Which will be D level Kenyans and Ethiopians.

So you're saying we should all be a working sucker like you? you sound like a whiny little bitch that never was fast enough to run professionally and now everyone else should do the same. Real logic there you fVcking idiot....

Also support with the decision. Having elites in the races I do has never had any impact on whether I race or not. I'd sooner see funds get used to do things that make races better for everyone. Maybe more restrooms, or a free entry to everyone beating a specific time, or scoring more than a specific number (80?) on the AG tables - to make the fields competitive.

i miss the 70s and 80s - where some of the world's best would turn up for a hilly 6 mile race (which was really 6.3)all at their own expense and turn each other inside out for the pride of winning and to take home a portable color TV.

As a 35 year old former runner I view things differently.

I ran 63:30 for a half marathon.

I never spoke at an EXPO.

I never wrote a letter to thank a sponsor.

I never thanked anyone other than the EAQ

I never came into a City to run with a Local running club

I never stuck around the city after the race to support the city.

I NEVER ADDED TO THE QUALITY OF THE EVENT.

I paid a massage therapist $200 a month and when I felt like it no longer helped my performance (my business). I stopped getting massage.

RNR will see no dip in their numbers at their events because WE ADD NOTHING. Much like me making the decision to not pay for massage if I didn't think it helped, RNR feels the same way.

You're not worthy of media attention (no offense).

Contrast yourself with:

http://www.theguardian.com/sport/2012/sep/16/wilson-kipsang-great-north-run

Jeff Wigand wrote:

You're not worthy of media attention (no offense).

Contrast yourself with:

http://www.theguardian.com/sport/2012/sep/16/wilson-kipsang-great-north-run

I agree with you. But those that are at Wilson Kipsang's level are not complaining about RNR. Those that are complaining are those that are at my level. People that take but give nothing back.

Tom Brady should be making my sandwiches at Subway in the offseason, lazy a**hole.

another troll wrote:

yep, troll. Using that logic, we would have no NFL, MLB, NBA, etc.

Formerly decent wrote:

I agree with you. But those that are at Wilson Kipsang's level are not complaining about RNR. Those that are complaining are those that are at my level. People that take but give nothing back.

I don't think they're happy, they're just not writing about it on letsrun.

This is great. Why should hobby joggers pay for elites to take power naps to run 3 times per day? Elites bring zero value to these races. NOBODY cares who wins or what the winning time is.

So you're saying that Pro's in our sport should continue to, or basically live in deeper poverty than they already do? That's helping the sport on the International level a lot.

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If the pro is good enough make any dent at international level, he/she will find shoe sponsorship like Rupp and Mo. Anyone else, go get a job or work as a gay Chippendale if the dream is that important to you.