Why is mainstream media latching on to “first-time marathoner” Molly Seidel?

I think other folks have made the same point - she probably works for the structure, to help balance out her life rather than sitting in her apartment and obsessing about running every moment of the day.

Molly was an underdog in this race but the headline is misleading. It's pure clickbait. Shame on NBC for framing the story in that way. People only listen to half (maybe) of what they hear and now they're going to think that running a marathon on a whim is a noble idea. As if we didn't already have too many beginners jumping to the marathon distance without adequate training or experience at racing (as opposed to completing) shorter distances.

WondererofThings wrote:

wejo wrote:

Molly had two part times jobs and people eat up the first time marathoner does well story.

Not a bash to Molly but why would a ND grad be working part time jobs? Did she postpone a career to pursue professional running?

Yes and it seems to be working out alright for her.

Also this how y’all look ??? going “bro WTF people are ACTUALLY interested in RUNNING?? That should just be for us nerds!!!”

Stfu and accept the interest. Isn’t this what we want?

Is Seidel the one who won that NE road race around the lighthouse a year or two back?

I recall some thread with everyone ripping on that person for some reason, not sure but I think it was the same person.

Came here to say this. It's (intentionally?) dishonest to make it look like she's a random barista and not a 4x NCAA champion. Most of us here know this, but 95% of America doesn't. That doesn't mean the performance wasn't a big deal of course -- her debut exceeded all expectations. There were also completely false claims in the Dailymail article saying she wasn't sponsored when she's been running for Saucony since 2017.

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Just curious - who was the top first timer on the men's side, this time? I can't imagine it was Walmsley in 22nd or whatever he finished.

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Also,

George Young won the 1968 Olympic trials marathon (Alamosa, 7,500ft elevation, loop course), in his first attempt at the distance, which he entered on a whim. Per some information I’ve seen, 16-miles was his longest run.

Being a first marathon yes it's an underdog story(easy article)

What I know from being a lrc regular is that she was very talented in HS national champ (16min5k) and was National Champ in both cross/track. But then developed a disorder and all the hormone dysfunction that comes with that. So including her background and first time marathon it's both an underdog and comeback story.

Throw in her recent drop from Freedom track club and training camp to Flagstaff with new coach and it's even more profound.

Salazar winning NYC 1980 was a bigger deal.

I recall a mention during a basketball game halftime sports update break that was on network.

semi_pro wrote:

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Just curious - who was the top first timer on the men's side, this time? I can't imagine it was Walmsley in 22nd or whatever he finished.

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The Tokyo Olympics might be cancelled

I was going to write something snotty about whether the non-mainstream media such as Fox or Breitbart did a better job. After checking, I have to say their stories were more balanced and sympathetic than many I've seen. Both have the standard headline about "First Time." But both were about her past successes and the mental and physical struggles those brought. After reading them, it was hard to see this as anything but a story about perserverance and grit.

Er... wrote:

The comments on some articles indicate many people believe she has no running background and just decided one day to get up off the couch and train for a marathon. Next thing you know, she's going to the Olympics! How amazing is that?!?!

+100, but so despressing on so many levels.

PS And how cute is it that she did it all while working as a barista and a babysitter. Amazing indeed!!!

Would have been an even better story if she crossed line first. Not behind a kenyan.

FemaleRnr wrote:

dsgfagfs wrote:

Why didn't the mainstream media gobble up the Aliphine Tuliamuk story? Her story is better than Seidel's. She's one of 32 siblings and makes her living selling knitted caps on Etsy that she personally made. She also WON the race.

Overpopulation in USA is destroying our planet. Let's not celebrate it.

Fixed.

It's funny to think of what the general public pictures in their minds when they hear these news stories. I live and work in Portland, OR, and one time one of my co-workers, who knew I was into running, said to me excitedly "did you hear that a woman from Beaverton got 3rd place in the Boston Marathon?!" I don't know what story she had read, but I think she thought it was just some recreational jogger from Beaverton who decided to go to the big marathon on the East Coast and see how she fared, when in fact it was Kara Goucher during her NOP days. I mean, I guess she was technically a "woman from Beaverton", sort of.

wejo wrote:

Rupp was already an Olympic medallist and not viewed in the same way.

Molly had two part times jobs and people eat up the first time marathoner does well story.

I won the Marine Corps Marathon in 2:25 in my first marathon. Now everyone who knows anything about running knows that is not that impressive a time. I think it was the slowest or second slowest winning time ever for Marine Corps. I made CNN Headline News. "First time marathoner beats 20,000 runners".

On local DC news I think it lead the sports as their was no Redskins game that day. The non sports anchor was just flabbergasted someone could win in their first marathon.

Exactly! Makes headlines, headlines attract readers and viewers, viewers will also see ads, some sales will take place from the ads, more ads will be sold, more cachimbas $$$ to be made, everyone wins. Anyone can understand that. (Except the people whining about it)

Because the media likes simple stories: attractive white girl gets to the Olympics on her first try at the marathon. I adore Molly but the media is stupid. Plus that weird Notre Dame/NBC incestuous relationship.

I like Aliphine’s story better. A friend bought two of her beanies in October and the friend was doing the half marathon the day after the trials. She found Aliphine and introduced herself and mentioned she bought two of her beanies and Aliphine remembered the interaction online from Etsy , made small talk and remembered the exact order. I woke up Sunday morning to a photo from her and Aliphine with the comment of “I just met her and I love her even more.”

But her story is more complex and takes too long to explain. NBC sucks at all sports so they don’t have the endurance to fully relay her story. They want simple things.

Most of the legacy media members are white women/men from privileged backgrounds. Went to Syracuse or Northwestern on full rides.

For every wealthy white media member, there are tons slaving away at tiny stations and papers trying to catch a break.