Would you rather have people Color Running, or not entering running events at all?

Would I rather listen to Miley Cyrus or sit in a room of silence? The latter. RNR at least still times people. Color runs are not running

Not entering at all, because they'd stop asking me to do color runs.

people can do whatever they want and I have no problems with those events since I will never participate in them and they don't concern me. However, I find it extremely annoying when people think those events are the same as RACES and constantly ask me if I've done them or am going to do them.

The color runs don't impact us from running all-out if we want at some other race where times are recorded. There is also no rule stating that participants must hold back in those color runs.

Color runs/Tough Mudders/RnR => more people exercising => fewer fatties => a better world for everyone

That's why I approve of "running" events that appeal to the masses.

Agreed...and, does anyone see the potential for these "festivalized running events" to serve as gateway drugs? Maybe some people get a little taste of what this whole "running thing" is about, and develop an interest to take things a step further?

majored in rocks wrote:

Color runs/Tough Mudders/RnR => more people exercising => fewer fatties => a better world for everyone

That's why I approve of "running" events that appeal to the masses.

I agree, but I do question whether people actually train for color runs. And I do think the concept of a color run has to be one of the stupidest things ever (and this is coming from someone who actually has an affinity for bright colors).

My issue with the one mud event I did was that they started in waves, but those waves were based (I think) on order of when people registered for the race. So, I had to fight my way through tons of walkers less than a mile into the race. Would have been much more fun to have battled in out with the dude in the next wave who beat my time by a few seconds (who probably had it worse in regards to walkers in his way).

Nonetheless, you're right in that anything that is making people more active is a positive. I talked to a woman in the shower line after the mud run who was in her sixties. She told me that she and her kids do the mud runs all the time and actually run a bit to stay in shape. If I saw her on the street, based on her age and body type, I would have thought that she didn't exercise. Turns out she's doing great things to keep herself and her adult kids happy and healthy.

I guess the biggest question is: how do we creat events that appeal to the masses and get them active, while still helping them see an appreciation for the competition and sport of running, to the point where they also care about who wins the races they run?

My 11 year old daughter wants to do a color run, and wants me to do it with her. I plan to.

Hey, a Color run can be a race too - I just ROCKED IT at our Color Run! I destroyed the field! And none of you can make fun of my time because I broke 21:00 for the 5K!!!

As long as no one mistakes Color runs for races. Separate the sport events from the exercise events.

moron wrote:

Not entering at all, because they'd stop asking me to do color runs.

This times 100.

Of course, it's better for people to do something - including a non-timed fitness event - rather than sit on their butts all day. It doesn't bother me any more than people playing golf bothers me. I'm all in favor of any kind of exercise or healthy outdoor recreation.

The problem is that people on the competitive side of running need to educate people about competitive running and do a better job of getting the public interested in competitive running. But it's not an either/or deal. Any running is better than no running.

Considering that this sport of running is in need of fans and spectators, color runs should be encouraged. Otherwise we could ask the same question about Ultras, Marathons, 10 and 5 ks. Why do we need to have ANY runs. You id10ts who think running should be an exclusive club could just go do a time trial with a few of your pals and talk about how great you think you are. Let's face it, if you aren't competitive on the world talent stage why should we give YOU any consideration either?!? I have no reason to watch you! I have NOreason to help pay for your race!! Take self appointed, arbitrarily defined terms of when something is worthwhile and stick it!!!

Tell me about it.

We hear on this website all the time: "Woe is me! No one is doing anything to drum up any interest in my sport."

Then people come along and create a pretty closely adjacent activity, one whose participants have the potential to be converted into racing fans, and all of a sudden it's:

"Screw those guys! They're ruining the sport! That's not real running!"

I don't see why we aren't chomping at the bit at this...why we shouldn't be looking to convert some D3 field hockey players who decide to do a color run and accidentally get a little too competitive. Who's to say those girls won't go from color runners to real hobby joggers!?

I know a woman who runs mud events with her hubby, and she runs 9 miles a week. She and I do different sports. She isn't migrating to running. Mud events and so-called color runs are often occasions for profit. But, then again, many road races are full of tyros, dreamers and schemers. Most fake/mud/color participants won't get thin or fit. Five years from now, we will scarcely remember color runs or X-fit.

Those who roll their eyes at theme runs (color, glo, mud, etc.) are idiots.

"Gateway drug" is a perfect analogy. These are runs where families can and DO run together. I ran a "glo run" this summer with my sister and niece... run was packed with the Miley Cyrus and One Direction crowd.

Nothing wrong with exposing people to running and overall fitness.

I have no issue with rock & rolls. There is very good competition near the front. Tough mudders aren't really a running event, and I still think they're pretty nuts, but just remind me of intense XC races. As for color runs, YES I agree that I would rather people don't do anything than participate in those dumb *ss things.

I am president of USATF-NE and am seeking to define competitive races in the mind of all running participants as separate from fun,fitness,charity events just as major league is separate from little league: Each as a distinct place.

Tom

EPOpian wrote:

people can do whatever they want and I have no problems with those events since I will never participate in them and they don't concern me. However, I find it extremely annoying when people think those events are the same as RACES and constantly ask me if I've done them or am going to do them.

Same here. At least the Color Run and some other types pass their events off as 'fun', 'exciting' etc... I hate the events that pretend to be some kind of bucket list/life altering/makes you tough RACE.

Prime example is the thread about the tri lady that ran into the tri guy and got runover. It's called the Toughman or some such sh*t. Really? They DQ the guy for shoving the women since she was bruised and 'traumatized' even though she finished the 'even't with a bunch of little kids in tow.

Doesn't sound very tough to me.