My god! This is a marathon regular people might actually want to watch. I don't remember any marathon with such a field before, not even Boston.
How did they do it?
My god! This is a marathon regular people might actually want to watch. I don't remember any marathon with such a field before, not even Boston.
How did they do it?
I'm not that amazed. They've got a lot of money. It IS the New York City Marathon after all. Still some presitge attached to it. Sometimes everything just works out. Best not to plan on it being an annual thing though.
A few things -- a marathon people might actually watch? Have you ever seen the crowd at this race? Millions watch this race. The crowds don't care about the elite race.
Running fans, though, will be tuned in and credit should go to ING, the New York Road Runners Club, and David Monti. They seized the opportunity to capture some high-profile runners this year. No doubt the timing after Athens helped the cause vs. Chicago's recruiting efforts. All reports indicate that the treatment of these elites, particularly the Americans, is much improved. Maybe this will become back to the par of Chicago or London?
I think it's at least part of a confluence of events, most notably the timing of New York (the last of the fall majors) combined with the timing of the Olympics. Of course the great job by the NYCM staff (esp. Mr. Monti), money from ING were factors, too.
Boston is rally not a good marathon. It's held at a really bad time of year (it could be 80 it could be 50), there is the Noon start time, and the course is slow. The only thing Boston has on NYC is the history.
smelltheglove wrote:
It's held at a really bad time of year (it could be 80 it could be 50), there is the Noon start time, and the course is slow. The only thing Boston has on NYC is the history.
These used to be plusses, rather than minuses. The Marathon isn't about times; it's about guts. Or at least it used to be.
New York's advantage is: $$$$$. Been that way since about 1624.
p.s. new york is not a fast course; I've run both, they are comparable in "difficulty".
D. Monti and Alan. S....they know this running business well.
"D. Monti and Alan. S....they know this running business well"
If that's true than why have they neglected the NYCM to the point where it's no a second-rate affair? Their attitude for the last 15 years is "the runners need us more than we need them." During that time Chicago stepped way ahead in prestige.
Have you ever run Boston? Because if you had your impression would be changed signifcantly. Like everything else in Boston, the BAA is slow to change and still expects high profile runners to run here for the history and tradition but the course itself is challenging and the crowds are unbelievable. NYC is not a fast marathon either.
Yes, I ran Boston and the crowds were great but I hated the heat and start time. Had we started at a decent hour we would've had decent weather. I can say I may run 10 more qualifing times and I would never head to Boston again.
If the [John Hancock] BAA Boston Marathon started at a so-called "decent hour" there would be much smaller, less vocal crowds. A marathon-watching party that can include alcohol due to a later start time has an extremely powerful pull for the nonrunning public. That's what makes Boston (and ING NYC) such huge events for nonrunners in those cities.
Also, it would be daunting at best to attempt to get all the runners to Hopkinton in time for a so-called "decent hour" start.
Me, I hate running in the morning. I'm griping about ING NYCM starting at 10:10, 36 minutes earlier than it used to. Start 'em ALL at noon and I'd be happy.
John Hancock is not the title sponsor of the Boston Marathon; there isn't one. No need to prefix the race's name with a corporation; leave that to new york.
Oh, and though money will of course be flowing under the surface of anyone's rationales, David and Jane Monti and the crew get RAVE reviews -- both operationally and personally -- from almost all the runners, agents, coaches, and whatevers who are at any of the races they work.
("Southern Pride," I know you're out there somewhere with a rebuttal.)
I recognize this is also truue of The Pink Man and LaSalle Bank CM, but in the case of ING NYCM this represents a HUGE sea change from the previous EAC fascist regime.
As for John Hancock, I know...why do you think it's in [brackets]?
But Hancock's quiet generosity to the event has been exemplary and I'm just saying "Thanks" out of my own generosity. Please forgive my childish impulse to be nice.
BTW, next time in Jacksonville, don't waste your time looking for the "Gate River"....
The crowds are nice but I've never really needed cheerleaders. And in my opinion starting a spring time marathon at Noon is idiocy. Guess we differ on what we want in a race. I just didn't find Boston satisfying. Everything was a hassel, the 3 or 4 hours we spent waiting to start, to trying to eat, to getting a T-shirt, etc.. just very unpleasent.
smelltheglove wrote:
The crowds are nice but I've never really needed cheerleaders. And in my opinion starting a spring time marathon at Noon is idiocy. Guess we differ on what we want in a race. I just didn't find Boston satisfying. Everything was a hassel, the 3 or 4 hours we spent waiting to start, to trying to eat, to getting a T-shirt, etc.. just very unpleasent.
And on top of it, the spellchecker was broke.
I'm sure Hancock appreciates your goodwill; I'll look for a McVeigh footnote in the MD&A of the next 10-Q. Carry on.
I had to pull out with an injury which opened up a spot for Paula!
smelltheglove wrote:
Boston is rally not a good marathon. It's held at a really bad time of year (it could be 80 it could be 50), there is the Noon start time, and the course is slow. The only thing Boston has on NYC is the history.
Doesn't NYCM start at 11am or noon?
Yeah, history...sheesh who really cares.
Joseph McVeigh wrote:
BTW, next time in Jacksonville, don't waste your time looking for the "Gate River"....
Hahah, yeah that race is sponsored by a gas station! What else would you expect from Florida?
Chelsea wrote:
"D. Monti and Alan. S....they know this running business well"
If that's true than why have they neglected the NYCM to the point where it's no a second-rate affair? Their attitude for the last 15 years is "the runners need us more than we need them." During that time Chicago stepped way ahead in prestige.
Whoa there! Is this the same NYCM we're talking about? You know one of the pentultimate marathons in the World? Along with Boston, Chicago, Berlin and London, they just don't get any better than this. Don't take to trashing people or events! Prestige is not something you can buy down at your local Mercedes dealer, fact is the NYCM always was and will always be one of the best marathons in the world and guys like Dave and Alan are the current custodians of this wonderful event.