Marine Corp Marathon just got more lame

I have always been a proponant of runners getting money.

But the way everything is getting out of hand right now, I almost wish running went back to being an amateur sport. There are a lot of people juicing and running incredible times and making money. But these fast times aren't bringing in any more public interest in the sport than before. And the sport's image is worse than ever.

Marine Corps is a model event. I prefer the controversal basketball defeat to the Soviets over the blowouts of the Dream Team. I also found the race between Sherry, Post and Church to be interesting since I know 2 of the 3.

Trust me. If you are a local and you win the Marine Corps Marathon, you are a running GOD in the D.C. Metro area. Over half of the marathoners in this years MCM were first timers, and mostly local. They could care less of who wins NYC or Chicago and how much money they get. When Pete Sherry won the response he got from the D.C. Metro area public was huge. TV interviews, radio talk shows, and articles in a the Washingtonpost, one of the top newspapers in the nation. The MCM is all about pride and pure running. In addition to the great looking Trophy he got, I'm sure he got tons of freebies from the race sponsors, Brooks and Tylenol. Also, he got some publicity for the running store he co-owns, GOTTA RUN.

runninginNYC, the only reason you want MCM to have prize money is so you can come down and win it cause you can't do so running in the NYC marathon running your 2:20-2:30. But then again, even if MCM did offer some money, you still wouldn't win any cause where there is money, there are the B-KENYANS.

for all of you guys who think this is a great race, check out some of the flack it's getting on the joggersworld marathon forum. The start was absolute chaos this year. There were 12,000 first time marathoners who lined up wherever they pleased. The 4-hour pace group was lined up far ahead of the 3-hour one.There were pure walkers who started right behind the elites/seeded runners. Also, galloway himself was there and was in a group of run/walkers that blocked some other runners when they stopped for their walk break. It's not the same race that Wejo won several years ago.

The marine corp did a great job - it was not perfect as any race with 16,000 finishers, it had it's obstacles. The race was easy for me to get to the start as with anyone who could run sub 3:30. For those further back I heard the same thing that people where in the wrong spots. The complaints (although most comments have been real positive) I have read and heard most where more post race.. around the baggage area.The only problems during the race where that they could use a different sports drink (Ultima sucks) and have water stations every mile from 20 on instead of every other mile.

It was my first one and although I struggled badly at the end, it was a great experience for me and the marines did an outstanding job.

As for the winner's time 2:25 in 90% humidity (62 degrees at the start) isn't that bad of a time for a winner. You could also argue that it's a good race for the sub elite to help develop. After all I am sure it helped Weldon and inspire him to go for it. Another thing I would like to point out is that many people on this board bad mouth the 5 hour marathoner, etc. These people are out there hurting trying to achieve a goal that may not be as lofty as others but it's their's. Get off your high horse. These are the same people that idolize the fast folks and actually care how you ran and make marathons what they are. 99% of marathoners have more important things in their lives than just running. Thankfully they enjoy the sport enough that there is enough interest to put on races to allow the faster folks opportunities to race.

A couple times you mentioned sponsors for this race and other than the Marine Corps, who are the sponsors? When I ran the Marine Corps Marathon in 1989, it was proud of having no corporate sponsors to call the shots. The only marathons that offer prize money generally are beholden to the whim of the sponsors and they end up jumping throw hoops to keep them happy. There are enough marathons with prize money - don't run it if you think they need prize money.

Portland Runner wrote:

Besides, unless it was U.S. only money (and do you think that would fly in PC D.C.?)a bunch of Kenyan B-teamers would show up and get the cash.

I venture the race gets more agate type when someone named Pete wins in 2:25 as opposed to a 2:15 winner named Joshua Kipchepkemboiolangurui.

I agree entirely. I can't imagine there is much that compares to winning a 16,000 participant marathon in the town where you've lived for some time. Although I would have been a bit more excited had Eric Post been the winner.

Who cares about the prize money. When I race, I race for me. I'm more than happy with the plastic trophy and medal for an age group place any day of the week.

This may be an argument for a different topic, but I have to agree with what Portland Runner said. A lot of race directors in my state offer $ and get a few 2nd rate Kenyan runners who clean up and leave the top local guys empty handed. And while some runners and spectators oooh and aaah that they we at a race with "the Kenyans", truth of the matter is that all the money did was bring in a few foreign athletes who are able to live off of lcoal races purses (most Amercian runners cannot) and are not marketable. This may not be politically correct, but I think that the sport needs to have marketable athletes (and not necesarrily Americans) winning their races for the sport to regain it's glory of 20 years ago (Shorter, Rodgers, Salazar, Benoit, Pippig, Geoff Smith, Steve Jones, etc.)

Whats wrong with a bunch of B Kenyans beating C Americans???

That's the great thing about runninig and track, fastest is the winner. The reason running is not big in the USA is because Americans think they have to win everything. When they lose they cry like babies and take their sponsorship and go elsewhere....Your definition of marketable is amazing no matter how true it is. Reliable "english" speaking champions is the term i believe you were hinting at. I am glad running reflects the world achievement and not just a "World Series" view fetching only teams from sea to shining sea. Face it the world is a big place.

I understand NYC's point, offer lots of prize money and you will attract world class runners. Fine for NY, Chicago, London and a few others. But every race is not trying to be a world class event.

The MCM is the Armed Services Championships AND they let regular runners join in the fun.

As a 2:50-2:55 guy, when I look for a race, I want a good course, some crowd support, accurate mile markers, etc. I couldn't care less if any Kenyans show up or not.

Actually, maybe I will target MCM for next year. Only problem is I heard there was a lot of wind, even way more than Chicago.

Not having elite runners at a marathon makes for a boring race. Why even call it a race if nobody of any importance shows up. I admire those Kenyans that can run sub 2:10. I don't understand why so many people are put off by Africans (black?). How interesting would a race be if you won it in 2:55? There has to be some seriousness of the race for me to enter it. I would rather get 25th place for 2:30 in a big race rather than win some race full of joggers. If Africans don't show up for MCM, then that is a good sign that the whole race is somewhat pointless. I would characterize that race as catering solely to joggers and decent runners that need to duck the Africans in order to have a chance to win. How boring!! Put up some money. Make the race interesting for once. I don?t want to hear about some home town (white?) hero winning a marathon in 2:23.

This rules, Sherry is my high school coach, he's a nice guy and really dedicated to his runners. I remember when I first found out that he was actually ELITE, and a 13:30 guy, that ruled! He's 35 and still running real well, gotta give him props for that! Go Coach Pete!

This is the most idiotic thing I have ever heard.

Why call it a race if no one important shows up?

I guess there is no such thing as a high school cross country race?

I guess all the folks out there busting their hump, even though they may be slow, aren't racing. They're probably not even trying.

What a moron.

Actually, some of those high school runners are pretty quick and make for a lot of excitement. If all the best a 30 year old "elite" male can do in the MCM is run as fast as a top high school runner, then the excitement level goes way down. It is all relative. Your logic is off; you basically compared an apple with an orange. Nice try, but do better next time.

AGAIN EVERYONE whos is arguing not to put up prize money is arguing it for all the wrong reasons! You say you dont care if there is any money when you run 2:45 or 2:55 or heaven forbid a 7 hour marathon which is the case for a lot of people at Marine Corps.

And its absolutely ridiculous that some argue a 2:20 something runner is not worthy of a few bucks. Hell, Chicago gave out 2000 for Americans under 2:22 and 3000 for performances under 2:20. This is incentive money to help runners train and be able to travel and compete at races.

In order for someone to become fast they need to be able to travel and run races and offering a little money or a hotel room or plane tickets allows a runner to make this more affordable. Then maybe all your "White" heros can beat the B or C Kenyans as you call them.

A little incentive money or prizes has nothing to do with the middle of the pack runners. Christ, most middle of the pack runner at Chicago has no clue probably who even wins the race or how much money they made.

The point is, someone running Marine Corps for all the reason people have stated will continue to run it regards. This money is for the elite runners regards if they are Kenyan or whoever is good enough to beat them. Running is about competing REGARDLESS of where you are from. KENYANS train hard so they win!

Elites will never run it and many people have stated it can be a race to develop. WRONG, es Weldon ran it and won but be definitely didnt get no OLympic Qualifier out of it. To make it a developmental race you need to have people show up who can run. You are not going to develop running by yourself throught the entire race.

BY the way I am a 2:24 African American runner who is American!

Portland Runner wrote:I venture the race gets more agate type when someone named Pete wins in 2:25 as opposed to a 2:15 winner named Joshua Kipchepkemboiolangurui.

OK then, why not train as hard as the Kenyans, post a few fast clockings at shorter distances, then ask Cary Pinkowski for a plane ticket and hotel room since you will bust out a 2:09 at his race?

Or, ask the Hanson's for free room and board?

I was a 2:24 guy back in the early 90's. Guess what? I didn't get any money or incentives back then. Why? Because 2:24 didn't mean squat. It didn't when the WR was 2:06:50 and it really doesn't mean much now in the sub 2:05 age. The problem with the younger generation is that you EXPECT to get something in order to improve. You want money / perks based on your own assessment of your potential. Answer me this: How did a lot of US guys run sub 2:13 back in the 70's and early 80's with such lucrative deals as "Six free pairs of shoes a year!" and "I'll comp your entry fee and find you a room at someone's house."? They just worked hard and hoped the money and support would come once they got fast.

Respect (and perks) are something that you EARN. Plus, you are talking about the Marines here. Do you think they respect skinny runners who whine about their marathon not paying money? I suspect some career leathernecks in Quantico would have a good laugh over this.

The MCM was the first marathon I ever ran in 1992. At that time the race was undersubscribed, the course flat and fast, and won in 2:22 or so. It was well organized.

The reason I may/will never run it again is that you have to register the day registration opend or youre out.

When you envision yourself as a serious marathoner or at least someone who tries hard and trains with a purpose and with passion, you cannot and should not have to register for a marathon 9 months in advance due to risk of injury or other training constraints. Those who sign up 9 months in advance, in general, are penguins who clog up the race etc (Its been hashed out here a million times)

I've always thought that there should be an unwritten rule for marathon race directors that if you can break a certain time barrier you can get in any race at any time (like NYC) without the lotteries etc.

I tend to disagree with thone poster who does not like anything than a huge event race - if the heart is there, you should be able to crank a decent time at a smaller venue - I personally am usually not buoyed by crowd noise.

MM

You are just another one of those whiny 80s runners who say that during YOUR time running was this and running was that. Americans are faster now than they were during your time and a 2:24 still means the same as a 2:24 back then. Times have changed buddy, just because you butt is hurt cause you couldnt get any incentives or money, doesnt mean that a guy shouldnt tryand get it now.

And I am not saying that you absolutely need this to be fast but it only helps. Runners ran full time back in the 70s and 80s and claimed they were amateurs and didnt make any money but the fact is that they were being sponsored and were receiving some help under the table! Plain and simple.