Changes to make distance running more spectator friendly.

Gambling.

Would anybody give a crap about horse racing if there wasn't gambling involved? Same deal with footraces, add gambling and the stands would be packed.

A couple points to clarify.

How many of the spectators at marathons are fans of the sport. How would still be watching if the top ten runners didn't even show up. How many are watching a family member run?

I am trying to encourage ideas for a system where fans actual PAY to watch in a stadium. Having runners in a quarter mile track in the stadium would not be the most interesting way to do this. Having runners leave and return to the stadium for each mile lap would be cool. Even having a hill in the stadium could add some excitement. How about only in the stadium can coaches talk to runners.

Two-man teams with a rickshaw. One runs, one rides. When the runner gets tired, they switch.

I hate to admit it but I have to agree with B Wiggins. Raging beasty animals trained to sniff out drug using athletes should be released within the last 2 miles of the finish line of a marathon. Tigers, bears, wolves etc... If they can survive the last two miles then they get to keep their medal and prize money.

OR even better, maybe just as the athletes exit the tunnel of Olympic Stadium on their way to the finish line to be broadcast world wide to the younger generation of runners as the true victors continue on to their just rewards.

They will then know the risk of public mauling for their heinous/nefarious ways.

Why does running need to be more spectator friendly? I'd rather races be more runner friendly. Runners are the paying customers, not the spectators.

18:30 5k pr wrote:

Why does running need to be more spectator friendly? I'd rather races be more runner friendly. Runners are the paying customers, not the spectators.

More media buzz, more spectator money, more money for top runners. More of the countries top athletes will seek out running.

I would like to see teams from cities with the stipulation that half of the team needs to be from the area. Stimulate regional pride.

The ONLY thing you need is more bun huggers!

http://www.shirley-of-hollywood.eu/244-695-thickbox/cotton-lycra-open-mouth-skull-bun-hugger.jpg

Ward wrote:

18:30 5k pr wrote:

Why does running need to be more spectator friendly? I'd rather races be more runner friendly. Runners are the paying customers, not the spectators.

More media buzz, more spectator money, more money for top runners. More of the countries top athletes will seek out running.

I would like to see teams from cities with the stipulation that half of the team needs to be from the area. Stimulate regional pride.

And why are those things important? Why is this a goal for you?

Whatever NASCAR does to get 200,000 fans to an event each week... Running events should do the same and run on a track with large stadium seating. Make a weekend of it. Camping in the infields, tailgating, concerts, racing under the lights, lots of beer, etc... There needs to be a legitimate league with an easy-to-follow point system for the 50-100 professional runners on a weekly basis and the one with the most points wins the "cup" at the end of the season and a $500,000 check. Sponsors would start to take notice, vendors would start to take notice, then comes the TV deals, etc.

18:30 5k pr wrote:

Ward wrote:

More media buzz, more spectator money, more money for top runners. More of the countries top athletes will seek out running.

I would like to see teams from cities with the stipulation that half of the team needs to be from the area. Stimulate regional pride.

And why are those things important? Why is this a goal for you?

I don't get your question. You and I will not profit from it but there is more to life than our personal needs.

In the USA?

Bring Back the Mile and the Two Mile.

Ward wrote:

A couple points to clarify.

How many of the spectators at marathons are fans of the sport. How would still be watching if the top ten runners didn't even show up. How many are watching a family member run?

That's a good point. I've been virtually alone in Marcus Garvey Park when the female elites have gone by

How do they consistently sell out stadiums in Europe? Can't we do the same?

MLS should be the model. Average attendances have risen from 13,000 to 22,000 in 15 years because they had a well thought out long-term marketing plan.

If the runners threw out candy as they went by

Also if they only had qualified elite level runners. Marathons are a joke. Would the NFL have weekend armatuers play against the pros? It is great for participation but not for spectating.

Stop having women and men race on same race at same time. By this I mean on tv they cut from men leaders to women leaders and try to show 2 separate races instead of just one race. Imagine switching between the men's and women's NCAA championship basketball games during the game.

Also if they only had qualified elite level runners. Marathons are a joke. Would the NFL have weekend armatuers play against the pros? It is great for participation but not for spectating.

Stop having women and men race on same race at same time. By this I mean on tv they cut from men leaders to women leaders and try to show 2 separate races instead of just one race. Imagine switching between the men's and women's NCAA championship basketball games during the game.[/quote]

You make some good points. I believe that in Europe there are races where there is the mass races then the pros run loops in front of a very large crowd.

One problem here in America is the ignorance of the back of the pack.

The average duffer knows The top golfers, does the average 45:00 5ker know Mo Farah and Galen Rupp?

Strap gopro cameras on pacemakers heads.. on the back of their head... and also on some of the elites

For me a real-time pulse and other metrics would be nice.

Maximilian wrote:

In a 5000 m start the race with 20 runners and remove every lap the last runner.

Everytime on the homestraight there would be a sprint/fight.

We used to do a similar thing in my training group at the end if the season.

They used to run this at the old LA Times indoor meets (on the tiny tracks. They called it "Devil Takes the Hindmost".

Add this to the suggestion of the leader of each lap gets some extra Diamond League points.(similar to Nascar).

ekw wrote:

Whatever NASCAR does to get 200,000 fans to an event each week... Running events should do the same and run on a track with large stadium seating. Make a weekend of it. Camping in the infields, tailgating, concerts, racing under the lights, lots of beer, etc... There needs to be a legitimate league with an easy-to-follow point system for the 50-100 professional runners on a weekly basis and the one with the most points wins the "cup" at the end of the season and a $500,000 check. Sponsors would start to take notice, vendors would start to take notice, then comes the TV deals, etc.

they also have a huge TV audience.

Taking a page from NASCAR on that front, they could give me the real time metrics over each runner as they do with the cars: current speed (pace if you like), average speed, projected finish time. Maybe something that goes green to red as the pace increases.

But first, they have to commit to covering a distance race. Now, a 5k on TV is:

pre-race interviews of people who aren't going to win

really long introductions

2 laps

commercial

1 lap

long jump recap

pole vault recap

last 2 laps

The TV people have to believe someone wants to watch a race for 13 minutes at a time without interruption. As you said, NASCAR has this figured out.