I\'ve said money is only part of the equation. But the runners also probably have shoe bonuses for US road championships that pay better than say running great at Worlds and finishing 25th.
We had this discussion before about the NYRR paying appearance money at the 8k. The NYRR have paid appearance fees in the past for the 8k championships (these message boards don\'t go back quite far enought) but from an Apr 6, 2002 article on Meb Keflezighi in the San Diego Tribune:
\"Keflezighi, the San Diego High alum and American track record holder at 10,000 meters, was strongly pursued by the New York Road Runners Club to race at today\'s USA Men\'s 8K Championships in Central Park.
Keflezighi said he was offered an appearance fee close to the $5,000 winner\'s purse. The race also offers a $25,000 winner\'s bonus for breaking Alberto Salazar\'s American 8K record of 22:04, set in 1981.\"
I think it is a fair assumption to assume they still are paying appearance fees. If not, they donate significant money to the US training groupas and I believe Brad Hudson\'s group. Maybe you want to consider that an indirect appearance fee if the actual direct process has stopped. But the cheapest way to guarantee a compelling race is with appearance fees. I think USATF should prevent appearance fees from being paid at US champs.
and from the same article:
\"Murphy was critical of USA Track & Field for scheduling the 8K national championships the same weekend as the Carlsbad 5000.\"
I think we\'re all greatful for the money the NYRR are putting into the sport but USATF just needs to make them schedule things a bit better.
as for:
I think this should end any Ritz-bashing. You just can\'t turn that down.[/quote]
I\'m talking about the marathon of course.