What's the Best Way for LRC to Put Someone on the Starting Line of the Rio Olympics?

I nominate Malcolm Richards, he never gets any hype. Richards never broke 15 in college, has run 2 x 2:15 marathons, and a 1:03.26 half-marathon.

Precious Roy wrote:

Have a LRC blue collar runner contest. People get to nominate a runner who truly epitomizes the LRC collective unconscious's notion of what it means to be a "blue collar runner' (i.e. not Nike, no college running pedigree, living pay check to pay check to be able to train, never backs away from racing/competition, etc). Have a contest where people get to vote each week to determine the champion. You could have a tournament style set up where each week two different runners go up against each other in a single elimination tournament. The winner gets a cash prize and has to wear the LRC singlet at the trials.

Maybe not the best way to get a runner to make an Olympic team, but a worthy way to build the sport?

The "Blue Collar Bonus"

LRC offers additional prize money at predesignated meets/road races for athletes who receive below some minimum amount of funding. Creates sort of a race within a race with the guys just underneath the elite tier. Hopefully one or two will train that extra bit harder and make a run for a spot on the team.

In any event, we'd get a lot more household names on these boards and I am sure the races would publicize the program and the site by extension by including stuff about the bonuses in the pre- and post-race results.

Maybe instead of a set dollar amount (like $1000 a race), you give shares of LRC's profits. So the potential recipients are incentivized to create site traffic, thus increasing the pot.

You may want to include time bonuses as well.

I know for many just the thought of getting an OT qualifying mark in any event is motivation enough, but if they know they could potentially get a 4-5 figure payday along with it, it would squeeze a little more out of our current talent pool?

What's the budget? That's the question

If $50-100k then sponsor Luke Puskedra before Hooka or whoever does

If smaller, over a longer term, get the blue collar award training group together

If you only want to spend like $10k then pay some random foreigner on the cusp of the B standard like that dude from Ghana who ran a 2:18 near national record

Wejo,

If you are looking to help a guy from a somewhat obscure country, I have a friend who is from Zimbabwe. He is trying to qualify for Rio, which falls within your timeline.His nation does a very poor job of supporting their distance athletes and he has done everything on his own to get where he is now. He has struggle with getting support from his country's athletic federation, which has failed him countless times.

He has 2:15 in the marathon, and is gunning for the A standard this January. He is so so close to qualifying for Rio, and can use any help that he can get. He is just starting to reach his potential, but because of lack of support he is not sure if he can continue training past Rio.

I know he is my friend, but he is a fantastic person who everyone (all types of runners) adore. I know his past and how he got here would make for a fantastic story that the entire LRC would surely rally around. He loves Letsrun and reads it every day.He is a great person, runner, and member of our community. If there is anyone who deserves any support, it is surely him.

I have included my email. If there is anything y'all could do to help him in anyway, even if it's a story to get his name out there, I know he would gladly accept it.

PS: He has been sold by your coverage Gen UCAN. If y'all could get him a discount, he would love it. He is about to buy some to make it to January at full price.

Thanks!

Boyd

Whatever you do don't attempt to have either you two or JK attempt to coach them. Give them a fighting chance.

You said Rio so let's stick with 2016. Obviously, Luke is the best bet. Sponsor him. Put him up at altitude. Keep him uninjured.

However, the women's marathon trials look wide open for the third spot. There's lots of prospects. I'd be combing results and find someone who hasn't run much and is on a upward curve to pull out an upset qualifier.

Otherwise, you don't have the time. Even steeplechase is too hard.

Division2, 3, and NAIA recent graduates?

Brojos please consider this!

wejo wrote:

...what's the best way to help us put someone on the starting line in Rio...

Should we try and help some American break through?

Promote someone in some obscure country?

Just remind people how great the Olympics are?

If you're serious, then you will have to be serious.

Most people trying for the Olympics are already aware that it's a worthwhile goal, so reminding them of that is not going to do much (as I think you know). Promoting someone in 'some obscure country' seems like the opposite of aspiring to be "higher, stronger, faster". If a stunt like that is the goal then I agree with the poster who said you should just crowdfund a race walker. Which leaves your option #1... try to help someone break through. That would require meaningful investment in a training grant, some travel money, assistance with getting into races that present opportunities, etc. For 2016 it is a bit late in the day... 2020 is plausible if this is not idle talk.

wejo wrote:

We were talking about Chris Solinsky's long shot hopes for the Olympics. It reminded me how cool the Olympics are and how bad people want to make them.

LetsRun.com was started around my failed Olympic dream in 2000 and I think it would be cool if we helped put someone in the Olympics. So I'm throwing the idea out there, what's the best way to help us put someone on the starting line in Rio.

I'm open to ideas on the LRC community trying to get someone to Rio.

Should we try and help some American break through?

Promote someone in some obscure country?

Just remind people how great the Olympics are?

Let's hear it.

Yes! Yes! Let's support an American!!!🇱🇷

Sorry for promoting myself and my friend / training partner but we are actually trying to give it a legitimate shot at 2016.

If you are serious about this Wejo, please email me.

Currently I am in Iten and self/crowd funded as is my training partner. Rojo knows me and we talked this summer about it what I was trying to do. I'm running for Mexico so all I need is the Olympic A standard in the 800 to be a guarantee.

-DT

I second Shoebacca's 2020 idea. Or mxrunner in the shorter term.

Make a splash by trying to get someone into 2016 even though it's so close (good publicity if it works), and then try to push the idea further by giving meaningful support for 2020 (generates even more goodwill in the community, assuming you don't mess it up somehow)

turtale wrote:

I think it would be really cool if you guys helped promote/support some person/people, especially women, in a developing country where athletics isn't a huge thing.

The work Lornah Kiplagat has done in Kenya to help young women find some independence through running has been great, and it would be cool if Letsrun could make that happen.

As far as suggestions go, one very talented runner (who may not have the resources she needs) I can think of off the top of my head is Tintu Lukka of India (1:59 800).

^this.

Sponsor Nick Arciniaga. At least he doesn't have a questionable drug history.

aren't there some Euros who meet the Olympic standards but whose national associations refuse to send them (because they're unlikely to finish top 8 at the Olympics)? You just need to give one of the national associations a stern talking-to and a few thousand bucks.

deejay wrote:

Sponsor Nick Arciniaga. At least he doesn't have a questionable drug history.

A great choice, but he's already sponsored by Under Armour.

There's a good Running Times profile on him for today's homepage/QOD. Check it out here:

gdm wrote:

aren't there some Euros who meet the Olympic standards but whose national associations refuse to send them (because they're unlikely to finish top 8 at the Olympics)? You just need to give one of the national associations a stern talking-to and a few thousand bucks.

+1

I get so sick of countries like the UK that won't send someone unless they have "top 8" potential. Sorry, but it's still very respectable and worth a plane ticket to finish 20th in the Olympic Marathon. I don't understand the logic of not sending them at all. Couldn't they go the Olympic Trials route and say, "If you get the 'A' standard, we'll pay your way, but if you're 'only' a 'B' standard Olympic qualifier, you have to get yourself there and pay your expenses." I'm sure most athletes would be willing to pay/crowdfund their way to the Olympics. ... Sorry to rant and get off topic of this thread.

Sponsor Pardon Ndhlovu from Zimbabwe who lives in Augusta, GA and the fastest Zimbabwe time in the qualifying window (2:15:51) - unless two more people from Zimbabwe can run faster before Dec 31, he will go to Rio.

Think of it this way: the UK will send those with the the qualifying times AND a chance of medal. That is unlikely to fill every spot. They could use the remaining spots to send upcoming athletes that lack the experience of a major competition, and can still be competitive four years down the road.

That is the reason the system is the way it is. Unfortunately it seems that they have chosen to save a few pounds instead of actively looking for those rising stars. That I am not ok with.

wejo wrote:

Promote someone in some obscure country?

This is your best shot.