Looking for a US pro that isn't scared to take on the World's Best. We'll fly you to World XC

Add Rodgers and Tracy Smith to the list...

I live in Copenhagen and would gladly House a pro runner who wants to do it. We are a few hours from Aarhus by train but the offer is genuine.

People don’t realize that this is the best Team USA we have ever sent to world cross.

Shad (2707) and Korir (2720) are the fastest 10 guys we’ve ever sent.

Stanley (808) and Hillary (811) are the fastest steeple guys we have ever sent.

This should be fun!

Those who enter the WXC race as sub-elite runners have restrictions on the logos and sponsorships they can wear during the race. They are also not eligible for prize money.

We'll fly you to World XC

Will you fly me back?

I hope someone takes up letsrun on this offer.

Uhh I'm pretty sure i might be able to keep 8 minute pace for the whole thing. Maybe.

But I'll wear all sorts of letsrun swag and there will absolutely be camera time when I get lapped(twice?)

I also drink beers with the best of them and wouldn't mind doing videos(whatever you want) at the bar.

I live right outside of Philly so it's prob a straight flight over(maybe not that expensive???)

Come on what's the worst that could happen?

Rojo, feel free to email if you’d like to chat...

Obviously this is an academic exercise, no elite will take you up on your offer 5 days or more like 3.5 days from the event when you subtract the time it takes to get yourself together and catch a flight. Also, there is the problem with going into arguably the most competitive running event on the planet having not peaked for it. With that said, you would have had problem enticing elites to do WXC under perfect circumstances. U.S. runners will say all the right things when it comes to talking about pride, patriotism and their connection to the running community, but willing pass up the opportunity to demonstrate their pride, patriotism connection to the running community. Elites are well aware that the U.S. running community wants to send our most competitive team to WXC, but are scared and/or don't care. I have heard every explanation for not doing WXC and the explanations -or excuses simply don't hold water. I spoke to an agent about WXC several years ago and he said for the elites who could probably make the team the issue was money; I asked him how much money and his only response was 'a lot'. – Kudos to the ADP athletes.

the vikings is their version of a renaissance fair, and the "roof" thing is a cheesy oversell of special architecture. Make them climb ladders onto a real roof, run across, and jump off the other end, how about.

Fun would be a zone were spectators could throw water balloons at the runners, not just sit there drunk watching them run by up close. And gambling. Everyone knows wagering is what makes a racing sport popular.

Bad Wigins wrote:

Fun would be a zone were spectators could throw water balloons at the runners, not just sit there drunk watching them run by up close. And gambling. Everyone knows wagering is what makes a racing sport popular.

..and witch burnings. I can envision the race now.

the best are probably training right now, not reading internet forums

Bad Wigins wrote:

Fun would be a zone were spectators could throw water balloons at the runners, not just sit there drunk watching them run by up close. And gambling. Everyone knows wagering is what makes a racing sport popular.

I reckon quite a few people disagree with you on this one.

1) It is pretty cool how anyone can run the race who wants to.

2) Some people may not even know this opportunity is out there. Most people who might be able to make a difference in the race have sponsors who presumably would be willing to pay for them to get to Denmark.

3) However, I bet there are some Kenyan or Ethiopian runners who don't have a sponsor who would spend the $ to get them to Denmark. These guys are the ones most likely to make a difference in the race. If some guy like this wants to do it we'd consider it for sure.

4) And one or two of you are complaining that Rojo isn't "paying up". He's offering to fly the person over there on short notice and house them. That could be a couple thousand $.

And most of the guys going over likely aren't going to finish in the prize money anyway. But we'd consider matching any prize money they'd get. You've got to finish top 6 at the Worlds toughest footrace to get ANY prize money.

1st - 30,000

2nd - 15,000

3rd - 10,000

4th - 7000

5th - 5000

6th - 3000

If some guy or girl went and finished 20th it would be amazing.

You are forgetting Bill Rodgers! He was third at world X-C and would eat everyone on your list but Virgins lunch in Cross!

This person is an example of why track fans suck. In what other professional sport would actual fans (let alone a so-called “coach”) suggest that professional athletes should incur risk and forego pay in order to compete in a marginal sideshow event? The legacy of amateurism is a crippling anchor on the sport.

“To hell with love of country. I compete for myself.”

-Steve Prefontaine, 1975

zxcvzcxv wrote:

Just a real shame that our best, or their coaches, don't think it's worthwhile to run this race as if somehow it would either destroy their confidence or destroy their outdoor season. It was just 6 years ago that the U.S. men got 2nd in mud and snow in Poland with, I think, two top ten individual finishes in True and Derrick. There could be cool conditions in Denmark as well, and there will be mud.

I think in this day and age it's realistic to say that there has to be money involved. They make their living running.

The World Cross was once a great race with the best runners from Milers to Marathoners. and great crowds I think it COULD be that again but it will take money- DEEP prize money to teams and individuals to get the best there.

Has Galen Rupp ever competed in the IAAF World Cross Country Championships?

I agree, one weeks notice makes this seem like a hollow offer. Not many people, let alone a professional or even a semi professional athlete, have schedules flexible enough to drop everything and head to Europe. I am also not sure that wearing the Let's Run shirt around would be allowed by USATF or IAAF. I know Nick Symmonds threw his hissy fit because he was not going to be able to wear his Brooks stuff around at Worlds.

Special wrote:

Left it a bit late, haven't you? Why not make this invitation 2 or 3 weeks ago?

9/10 on trollometer

Love this part of the title "pro that isn't scared" ...

...As if that is the reason a pro wouldn't take advantage of your generous offer.