Is distance running a white-collar sport now?

This is an example. BAA Unicorn Club.

Wealthy and elite, and long-time runners.

My guess is any kind of serious recreation is going to be geared toward white collar workers since they're often not the ones working long hours (unless you're a doctor, lawyer, consultant) or doing manual labor all day (construction workers don't need to workout if they don't want to).

I would say persistence, determination, an understanding of the concept of delayed gratification are all characteristics that support making a person successful in distance running, education, and their career.

A female lawyer I know has to get up at 4:30 am to get her run in so she can work her 12-hour workday. But the $$$ is enticing.

The white exclusiveness goes beyond the color of your proverbial collar. Don't want to "play the race card" here, but if you look at most running communities in America (road/ultra, not so much track) it is still a very segregated space. I think a lot of it does have to do with who the sport is marketed to by those at the top. It's a shame, because in theory running is one of the most egalitarian sports in terms of who can participate. But our corporate overlords keep their cash flow up by telling us we need more high tech shoes, gps watches, and overpriced fashionable running-specific clothing, not to mention the exorbitant race entry fees "for charity." It all serves to raise the financial barriers for participation, which ends up dis-proportionally excluding racial minorities. (Also the flippin finishers medal! Have you ever considered how much cheaper races would be if the price didn't include a collectible finisher's medal? Just hand me a beer token in the chute instead!)

To be fair some of the burden has to fall on local running clubs and running stores for not making blacks/latinos feel welcome. Then of course there are the high school track coaches, who subconsciously funnel the black kids into sprints and the white kids into distance events.

Oh and let's not forget that if you're a black man running on the street, there's the chance, real or perceived, that you're more likely to get arrested or shot, even if you are doing everything you can to signal that you're just exercising by dressing like Michael Cera in Juno.

But yes please tell me how the real tragedy is we don't have more participation these days from trailer trash like Steve Prefontaine.

I've noticed it catering toward women more too of all races and ethnicities.

I think because women have purchasing power now, more than men, that companies see them as a cash grab.

More women than ever have good middle-class jobs, educations, etc. The men get stuck with the crappy detailing/journalism/security guard/waiter/valet/janitor lower-paid jobs. The women wind up in healthcare/finance/PR (more women than men are in PR vs. journalism, where it is more male-balanced).

And a lot of those women happen to be runners and like expos.

Your post is solid too, re: race.

Yea I know some people like that too. When you have that level of determination time management isn't an issue.

Most of the things you mention aren't real barriers to participation because they aren't necessary. I've been a serious runner for a decade without ever owning a GPS watch or paying to enter a charity race.

Your post is sort of like saying that fishing is exclusionary because not everyone can afford a deep sea fishing boat.

If you want to play basketball, you can put on your shoes, go to the local park, and join a game. If you want to run, you can put on your shoes, walk out your door, and start running. You can make it more complicated and expensive if you want to, but it isn't really necessary.

Eh. A lot of that is marketing. Expos are geared to get people to buy the latest XYZ. They need to target a demographic with disposable income and convince the sucker they need the newest smartwatch, tech, shoe, or other gadget. Same thing with run stores, they need to target individuals with the disposable income to buy XYZ. Running happens to be about the cheapest sport out there.

Then there's the actual job factor. A lot of trades will likely not be into running as they are on their feet a lot during the day already. Think about if you worked construction - the last thing you'd likely want to do after framing walls all day would be to go knock out a nine mile workout run.

Compare this vs a financial advisor who sits at a desk for 8 hours or a lawyer who again sits at a desk all day.

I’m a college dropout pizza delivery dude who loves nothing more than to go for a go for a good long run

not banned wrote:

I’m a college dropout pizza delivery dude who loves nothing more than to go for a go for a good long run

I don’t train specifically for anything, but I guarantee you I could beat a lot of people who think they do.

$250K /yr income places one at the bottom of the 1% income earner so I would say that is too anecdotal to make a statement like that. However I do see your point as many marathon runners I know do quite well in lifestyle but more so with having the time to put in the training, not necessarily their income.

I do see the more of the high income earners at the Triathlon level!

nl1 wrote:

$250K /yr income places one at the bottom of the 1% income earner so I would say that is too anecdotal to make a statement like that. However I do see your point as many marathon runners I know do quite well in lifestyle but more so with having the time to put in the training, not necessarily their income.

I do see the more of the high income earners at the Triathlon level!

Triathalon can be a stupidly expensive sport to get into (cycling).

Cycling is one of the few sports where you can seriously buy performance. People will spend north of 10K on a race day bike. A solid "entry level" bike is about 4K alone.

Carbon Wheels - 2K+

Power Meter: $600-1000.

Bike Computer: $300 - 500.

Tires are like running shoes. they dont last forever (+- 2000 miles, cycling vs running is 5:1 efficiency ratio so about the equivalent of running 400 miles) $150 a set. The list goes on and on.

Triathlon can be a stupidly expensive sport to get into (cycling).

Cycling is one of the few sports where you can seriously buy performance. People will spend north of 10K on a race day bike. A solid "entry level" bike is about 4K alone.

Carbon Wheels - 2K+

Power Meter: $600-1000.

Bike Computer: $300 - 500.

Tires are like running shoes. they dont last forever (+- 2000 miles, cycling vs running is 5:1 efficiency ratio so about the equivalent of running 400 miles) $150 a set. The list goes on and on.

I would not say "white collared" I would say primarily "white" in America. I would estimated over 90% of American born Blacks could care less about distance running.

Simple test, watch any HS or college track meet. Watch what the sprinters are doing during a middle or long distance event. (hint) not watching the event.

It's undoubtedly an upper-class sport. According to the American Time Use Survey, it is the most popular hobby among people who make 150K+ (which is of course lower-middle class on these boards, but that's the highest bracket they reported on).

I think there could be correlation between people dedicated to running and successful careers. For 99% of runners they are not making money running, so it's just through dedication, desire, and discipline they get better for themselves. The same traits that make a good runner translate to a successful career. If you are willing to wake up get in a hard run before most people start their day, then it's probably not crazy to think you would have that same dedication in school or career.

Pre wasn't "trailer trash." his family was middle class n Coos BAY, OR.

sheeple-chase wrote:

blah blah I like to whine

lol