Comments on: Is Running a Dying Sport? http://completerunning.com/archives/2006/11/28/is-running-a-dying-sport/ Runner's Information & Advice Tue, 08 Mar 2011 14:57:54 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.0.4 By: Adeelhttp://completerunning.com/archives/2006/11/28/is-running-a-dying-sport/comment-page-1/#comment-5867 Adeel Tue, 28 Nov 2006 21:35:51 +0000 http://completerunning.com/archives/2006/11/28/is-running-a-dying-sport/#comment-5867 <b>Now if someone wanted to make a big deal about an American who was trying to top “the Kenyans” running would shine again.</b> Those Americans are already out there. Khalid Khannouchi held the world record in the marathon from 1999 to 2003, Meb Keflezighi and Deena Kastor won silver and bronze respectively at the Olympic Marathon. Keflezighi was also third at Boston this year. Abdihakem Abdirahman ran 2:08 at Chicago, finishing fourth. It would probably take a white male, however, to pique mainstream interest. Now if someone wanted to make a big deal about an American who was trying to top “the Kenyans” running would shine again.

Those Americans are already out there. Khalid Khannouchi held the world record in the marathon from 1999 to 2003, Meb Keflezighi and Deena Kastor won silver and bronze respectively at the Olympic Marathon. Keflezighi was also third at Boston this year. Abdihakem Abdirahman ran 2:08 at Chicago, finishing fourth. It would probably take a white male, however, to pique mainstream interest.

]]> By: 21stCenturyMomhttp://completerunning.com/archives/2006/11/28/is-running-a-dying-sport/comment-page-1/#comment-5855 21stCenturyMom Tue, 28 Nov 2006 18:27:09 +0000 http://completerunning.com/archives/2006/11/28/is-running-a-dying-sport/#comment-5855 I think a better question to ask is what percentage of all marathons do carry prize money? The Rock 'n Roll series has been sponsored by Suzuki for a long time and the prizes include cars. MCM is sponsored by the military which could arguably come up with the best prizes given their budget but they might not be the prizes we want. I have no idea what the answer is but the fact remains that there are many, many, many marathons all over the coutnry and some of them have rich corporate sponsorship and big prize money and some do not. Running is just a sport like a lot of sports - swimming, cycling, fencing, archery,etc. America is all about mens football, baseball and basketball. That's where the money is and that's where it will stay until some marketing genius decides to promote some other sport. Soccer is kind of catching up but mostly during the World Cup. Women's soccer had its 15 minutes and then faded to the very occasional mention on the sports page again. Individual sports are all pretty much obscure with the exception of the Tour de France but until another American dominates for several years in a row it will also fade to grey. I think you might be on to something about the "Kenyans". We root for our own pretty much exclusively. Now if someone wanted to make a big deal about an American who was trying to top "the Kenyans" running would shine again. Any takers? :-) I think a better question to ask is what percentage of all marathons do carry prize money? The Rock ‘n Roll series has been sponsored by Suzuki for a long time and the prizes include cars. MCM is sponsored by the military which could arguably come up with the best prizes given their budget but they might not be the prizes we want.

I have no idea what the answer is but the fact remains that there are many, many, many marathons all over the coutnry and some of them have rich corporate sponsorship and big prize money and some do not.

Running is just a sport like a lot of sports – swimming, cycling, fencing, archery,etc. America is all about mens football, baseball and basketball. That’s where the money is and that’s where it will stay until some marketing genius decides to promote some other sport. Soccer is kind of catching up but mostly during the World Cup. Women’s soccer had its 15 minutes and then faded to the very occasional mention on the sports page again. Individual sports are all pretty much obscure with the exception of the Tour de France but until another American dominates for several years in a row it will also fade to grey.

I think you might be on to something about the “Kenyans”. We root for our own pretty much exclusively. Now if someone wanted to make a big deal about an American who was trying to top “the Kenyans” running would shine again. Any takers? :-)

]]> By: Running is not a dying sport « Run to Win »http://completerunning.com/archives/2006/11/28/is-running-a-dying-sport/comment-page-1/#comment-5842 Running is not a dying sport « Run to Win » Tue, 28 Nov 2006 14:08:14 +0000 http://completerunning.com/archives/2006/11/28/is-running-a-dying-sport/#comment-5842 [...] Adeel at Complete Running wonders, “Is running a dying sport?” He argues that African domination has eroded American interest in running as a sport, and that it is only viable because of the participation factor. Coupled with changing economics rooted in non-competitive enjoyment, the future is at best uncertain for running as a sport. It seems ridiculous to offer large purses when the competition at the front of the pack has little to no interest for most customers, the competitors sadly indistinguishable. The success of the Marine Corps Marathon, a prominent race with roughly 30,000 finishers and no prize money, testifies to this reality. [...] [...] Adeel at Complete Running wonders, “Is running a dying sport?” He argues that African domination has eroded American interest in running as a sport, and that it is only viable because of the participation factor. Coupled with changing economics rooted in non-competitive enjoyment, the future is at best uncertain for running as a sport. It seems ridiculous to offer large purses when the competition at the front of the pack has little to no interest for most customers, the competitors sadly indistinguishable. The success of the Marine Corps Marathon, a prominent race with roughly 30,000 finishers and no prize money, testifies to this reality. [...]

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