Invited Runners

emerald007

I'm just wondering what this forums opinion is on the practice by race organisers of inviting in runners to run a race, with the expectation that they will win the race and set a new course record. I appreciate that having high profile runners will boost the profile of a race, and hence the larger marathons will try to get a top line up for their race to attract more media attention. But in terms of the mass participation events here, and mainly funded by local runners, is this practice justified?. (We already know that races on ireland get no TV coverage!) Since the cost of travel and accommodation for these invitees is being covered by the race entry, should we be informed on entry that these 'ringers' will be brought in to win the top prizes? In terms of yesterdays 5 mile race, is it better for a ringer to win the race, or a local runner who have roots in club running within ireland. Possibly a total rant on my part, but i'd appreciate your views.

RoyMcC

I say that the local runners would be pleased to test themselves against 'ringers'. Surely no runner enters a race afraid that a better runner will also enter?

As an ex race organiser I was always delighted to get a 'ringer' entering my race, and I never had any adverse reaction from other runners. Though admittedly this was a race with no money prizes.

thirtyfoot

emerald007 wrote: »

I'm just wondering what this forums opinion is on the practice by race organisers of inviting in runners to run a race, with the expectation that they will win the race and set a new course record. I appreciate that having high profile runners will boost the profile of a race, and hence the larger marathons will try to get a top line up for their race to attract more media attention. But in terms of the mass participation events here, and mainly funded by local runners, is this practice justified?. (We already know that races on ireland get no TV coverage!) Since the cost of travel and accommodation for these invitees is being covered by the race entry, should we be informed on entry that these 'ringers' will be brought in to win the top prizes? In terms of yesterdays 5 mile race, is it better for a ringer to win the race, or a local runner who have roots in club running within ireland. Possibly a total rant on my part, but i'd appreciate your views.

The winner yesterday is a Kenyan who runs with Clonliffe. He was here last summer and ran a fair few road races and is here again this summer. He ran the Morton mile on wednesday. I don't think he was brought in and paid for for the 5 mile race but I could be wrong. So, yesterdays winners appearance was unilkely to be funded by the rest of the field and the guy is a fully paid up member of an Irish club so has some roots!!!

On the issue of big name runners being brought in I'd imagine the vast majority of good runners will always want to race better runners so that they may become better runners, nature of the sport I'd say. Most of the better events will do it. The IMC do it and occasionally bring in a good BMC runner and the BMC will do it and bring in overseas runners, all in a bid to raise the standard. Anyone who sees it as a problem is looking at the small picture of the sport in my opinion. More big names coming in would encourage more of our big names to compete.

Hard Worker

None of the Lifestyle Sports - adidas race series races have a budget for an elite field.
One of the great things about athletics and big road races is that you can have an opportunity to run with some top class athletes, most of whom are very friendly and personable. I know the Kenyans enjoy meeting the "locals" and have often freely given information on their training etc.
I don't think you will ever get the opportunity to play alongside Ronaldo and I don't think he'll be sitting down with you after a match for a chat.
All sponsors like to have as high a profile as possible for their event and having top class athletes competing certainly helps.

ecoli

Tingle wrote: »

The winner yesterday is a Kenyan who runs with Clonliffe. He was here last summer and ran a fair few road races and is here again this summer. He ran the Morton mile on wednesday. I don't think he was brought in and paid for for the 5 mile race but I could be wrong. So, yesterdays winners appearance was unilkely to be funded by the rest of the field and the guy is a fully paid up member of an Irish club so has some roots!!!

On the issue of big name runners being brought in I'd imagine the vast majority of good runners will always want to race better runners so that they may become better runners, nature of the sport I'd say. Most of the better events will do it. The IMC do it and occasionally bring in a good BMC runner and the BMC will do it and bring in overseas runners, all in a bid to raise the standard. Anyone who sees it as a problem is looking at the small picture of the sport in my opinion. More big names coming in would encourage more of our big names to compete.

He was brought over for the morton mille as he won the 3 mile in last years meeting which is completely independent of the 5 mile. I agree that better runners to raise standard should be the aim and am all for it as long as race prices arent jacked up just to cover their fee