I'm a race director for a TINY race. 600 participants total across 5K to marathon distance. Our marathon is certified, and can be used for BQ. Since we have been added to ahotu marathons website, the emails from Ethiopia and Kenya are rolling in weekly.
At first I thought it was a scam. The formatting and wording was so terrible. Plus, why on earth would someone want to come from Ethiopia to my little town which is miles away from anywhere to run a race against the a non-professional field with no prize money or prestige? I ignored the emails at first, then replied to a few, but never got a response back.
My feeling is that there is an uncoordinated and not terribly well-informed effort being made by a myriad of coaches/runners/representatives to get runners into North American races so as to record an official time and/or sweep any (if any) prize money. Okay - I'm all for that, but I feel like there could be a better system setup to help these people - and make it easier for race directors too.
I don't have the time or desire to do it. But, I think it would be great for the sport. You'd need someone fluent in the native language(s), who is tied into the running community who can spread the word, but also fluent enough to help a developer set up a system that could be easily managed on both sides of the world.
Here some of the example emails...
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Hello Dear Organizer
We are Ethiopian Elite and best runner athletes, and have best time from many countries.So now
we would like to participate in your running race. B/c now we are in good condition, performance and full healthy. Please consider our condition,and send us your entry invitation Letter and other all running Race information materials in English by email as soon as possible.
Please we are waiting your URGENT reply.
THANK YOU
FROM ETHIOPIAN ATHLETES
ADDIS ABABA
Ethiopian
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Dear sir/madam
This is Coach Demesse From Ethiopia and i have athletes to run [MY RACE NAME COPIED + PASTED HERE] the athlete result and passport attach here
Profile of Tadesse FEYISSA | All-Athletics.com
www.all-athletics.com/node/27890
Profile of Desta ALEMU | All-Athletics.com
www.all-athletics.com/node/343226
if you have any question please fell free
Best Regards
coach Demesse
if you have any question please contact me
With Best Regards
Coach Demesse
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Dear
First how are you? My name is desalegn. I live in Ethiopia I am half marathon runner. Once a day I saw your web site. You have race computation [MY RACE DATE COPIED/PASTED HERE]. I am very happy I participated in your half marathon race programs. You are helping me give a chance and send invitation letter.
Thank all !
Yours sincerely
athlete desalegn atnafu
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Dear Race Organizers!!!
I am sume. a coach at bikila boys road runners club in Ethiopia, and currently i sendstrong athletes in different countryto different races, and they have got a good result.i hope you will have such a good race.my strong athletes they have a goodresult in 42km and half marathon for domestic & international race will beheld on next monthes so we will like to request invite us in your race !? Hope fully we can be pleasure on your course
looking forward to hearing from you
best regard.
Sume coach and athlete co-ordinate
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Dear Elite Athlete Coordinator
Greetings to you from Ethiopia.
This is Green Ethio Sport Club who is engaged in athletics management and Coaching business here in Ethiopia. We have very strong and talented athletes with the ability of good performance.
If you are interested to invite some of our athletes on your events [MY RACE NAME COPIED + PASTED HERE].
Please let me know and we can send you the biographies of our athletes.
Looking forward to hearing from you, I thank you in advance.
With best regards,
Green Ethio Sport Club
ADDIS ABEBA ETHIOPIA
+250969063397
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