1-3 at trials blows. Need to do it the Japanese way where only the winner of the trials is guaranteed but 2 and 3 can be bumped if someone runs faster at a race within a predetermined timeframe.
Exactly. I live in Chattanooga and its hilly. I don’t understand why USATF is making the mistake again. Atl was hilly, japan was not. Paris is hilly, Orlando is not.
Because the course isn’t the only factor that goes into picking the site.
At the time Atlanta was selected, the Japan course was expected to be in Tokyo & hilly.
Been going there since they opened back in the 70's and worked with Jon and Tom Ward for the inaugural Disney Marathon and a few after that. Helped with the course layout, measuring, transportation, etc. from the Disney end.
Tom and I were in the lead vehicle for one of the marathons, but couldn't get the pickup through the archway in Cinderella's Castle, had to backtrack all the way around, the leaders were way ahead of us, but, thankfully, didn't go off course. Lesson learned.
Exactly. I live in Chattanooga and its hilly. I don’t understand why USATF is making the mistake again. Atl was hilly, japan was not. Paris is hilly, Orlando is not.
And exactly how does that affect our team for Japan? The course profile is overrated. The trials selects those who can prepare best to perform well on the day, not a specific set of circumstances.
Different courses suit certain runners better than others. I know Atlanta was selected before the course was changed. To me it makes sense to send the best athletes for a hilly Paris course the trials should mimic that.
Honestly as long as abdi doesn’t weasel his way in I’m good. How many times has he ran some decent trial race and just limped through the actual race? Seriously he did more damage to American distance running than good. CJ Albertson is going to be tough to beat in top 3. Martin Hehir if he is able to string together a decent training block by then.
My guess is no Disney. Universal owns NBC, the Olympic tv rights holder.
I can see part of the course going through Universal in Orlando to maximize cross promotional opportunities for NBC, or at the very least, a Universal Studios character holding the finish line (think one of the minions from “Despicable Me”)
Really, how did the differential affect Rupp? How did the weather in Hokkaido affect Kipchoge? Gamers will find a way, those who can only excel on one type of course or in one set of conditions won’t be consistently great, anyway.
Having trouble with the quote function, but the statement's line about this being the longest period between a Trials marathon and the Olympic marathon can't be right, can it? The trials race for 2008 was in November 2007. Or am I reading this wrong?
Not intended but the 2020 Trials were held over a year out from the Games.
The “trials” should be the top three Americans at the years Boston Marathon. Having international runners in the race shows who can really compete on a world stage. Stop with these Mickey Mouse staged trials. Pun intended
Anyone remember the last time the trials were held as a stand alone event and not in conjunction with another marathon? I kind of wonder who all will show up to watch without having a bunch of marathoners in town. I also would be a bit concerned that the race will not be able to piggy back on the management of another marathon. USATF will have to come in and manage 100% of the race with the help from locals. But that is a lot easier when you work with an existing race and just borrow all their contacts with the city, police, vendors, etc.
Orlando is pretty cheap in February, but most of the hotels are around Disney and all that crap. I would presume that the race will have to take place downtown and away from Disney. You really can't close roads around Disney, etc. even in the off season. So, people will have to commute from their hotels to the start/finish in all likelihood. Not a big deal, but another logistic to put in the hands of the not always capable USATF.
1-3 at trials blows. Need to do it the Japanese way where only the winner of the trials is guaranteed but 2 and 3 can be bumped if someone runs faster at a race within a predetermined timeframe.
We shouldn't be having trials for the marathon at all. Take the top three that we think can medal. Keep em fresh not battle tested from having to run one to qualify and then one to make the team and have nothing left by the time they get to the Olympics. It's not like this is the long jump or the 100 meters when you can go with the hot ones. Have a national championship that you don't have to qualify if you want and if someone gets the top time in the nation and want to go then take em. Runners like me had no business of competing for a spot on the Olympic team.
Here is our article analyzing the decision. We have included A LOT of weather info. The weather in Orlando should be very similar to what you get in Paris.
What will the course be like? What type of weather can we expect? We break it down for you. MB: Breaking: Orlando Will Host Olympic Marathon Trials on February 3, 2024.