***Geoff Capes*** wrote:
Wow - this thread is ridiculous...
The sport is really unpopular and it seems like most of you want to keep it that way. I am totally behind any athlete trying to bring some stories into the sport other than 'I ran xx'... The sport doesn't get covered much, so social media is the only place you're going to see it - kudos to the likes of Molly Seidel for making this sport more interesting.
Agree. It’s no longer enough to be an athlete who only focuses on performance. Athletes are entertainers, and many are coaches too. It’s a business, marketing, and brands are looking at your metrics and engagement. It’s part of pro athlete’s contracts. It’s not surprising that many of the mostly women mentioned on this thread are not only successful athletes but also the most highly paid in the sport. Brands aren’t stupid. They want athletes who are more than just athletes and showing their human side.