No comp for Olympic medalist

[JimG]

Here's a thread from LetsRun

http://www.letsrun.com/forum/flat_read.php?thread=2128313

Apparently Deena Kastor wanted to run a 10K in Pablo Rosa as part of her training, and was turned down when she asked for a comped entry.

Maybe there's more to the story (I think the race went from big prize $ to "local emphasis" this year) but if Deena called me to run one of my events I'd ask her when she wanted to be picked up, where she wanted to stay, and what her favorite breakfast food was.

I think the RD shot himself in the foot on this one - you can't pay for a better ambassador of the sport than Deena.

[Trailrunnerdude]

wow, this is really shocking and extremely short-sighted on the part of the RD or whoever made this decision. There are so many things that she could have done for this race just by being in it (media exposure, registration increases, sponsor interest). People in this industry need to realize that the elite runners, especially one as accomplished as Deena, are the stars of the show and it isn't by treating them like this that you'll help your race grow.

[pstewart]

The Cherry Blossom 10 mile back in the mid 1970s refused an entry to Jack Fultz after he had won the Boston Marathon as part of a very tight "no exceptions" policy once the race was closed. Things have liberalized since then.

I have heard of some prize money races that will refuse a late entry from an elite athlete out of courtesy to the elites who are already entered. The reasoning goes that the elites deserve a little advance notification of who they are running against.

[JimG]

There's a popular Turkey Trot in the area that used to close out before race day. Lots of college kids home on vacation would be shut out (this was pre-online reg) and one year one of them decided he would run the race as a bandit, just to get in a workout. W/ less than a mile to go he was tied for the lead and the race people in the lead car were facing a potentially embarassing finish. They were spared when the guy dropped out before the line.

[Hankelope]

I didn't read through the entire Let's Run thread but I was surprised so many posters came out against Deena. It wasn't clear to me whether she simply asked for a cop entry, or also travel expenses. If just a comp entry, what's the big deal?

I don't understand race directors who are stingy with comp entries for elites. It doesn't cost anything other than a tshirt.

[Trailrunnerdude]

I think that this episode shows is that there are a number of races that specifically cater to elite runners. These races have people on their committee whose sole role is to deal with the elite & sub-elite or invited runners. These races not only comp. the runners' entry, but also hotel & travel expenses. The ironic part of all this is that this race is trying to equate itself with some of the more established races in the country on its website.

[Hal Higdon]

I think the RD shot himself in the foot on this one - you can't pay for a better ambassador of the sport than Deena.

Yes, but Deena makes enough money as a runner, so she could afford to pay for an entry in a race to which she wasn't invited. Did she actually request a free entry? Or did some agent or coach do it for her?

I often am given a comped entry, but I never request one. I think it is demeaning to have to ask, so if I want to run a race I simply file an entry like everyone else. That allows me to show up at a race without a spotlight on me, with nobody knowing I'm coming, and since I'm slow enough now to not win age group prizes, I can leave before the awards ceremony. One of my pet peeves is awards ceremonies that still are going two hours after I crossed the line. If I pay my own way, I can depart early without guilt.

I always respected Jack Scaff, founder of the Honolulu Marathon. He would always pay his own way and even refuse free entries if offered him.

Without talking to Deena, we may not know the entire story of this incident. I wouldn't trust the accuracy of stories posted on the Internet. It's at the level of gossip.

[JamesM]

Around here you get a comp by volunteering, or sponsoring.

Every elite that is comped takes a prize away from a paying customer.

If she volunteered to give a running clinic on the day before, I am sure we would have comped her.

I don't think that an entry fee is a high price to pay for a shirt, a prize, and a line on your running resume.

There is an etiquette to comps. We don't tell the punters.

You ask politely and no matter if it is granted, or turned down, you don't go around telling everyone. Else others will want one too, and to be honest, they may well be more deserving.

[Trailrunnerdude]

Around here you get a comp by volunteering, or sponsoring.

Every elite that is comped takes a prize away from a paying customer.

If she volunteered to give a running clinic on the day before, I am sure we would have comped her.

I don't think that an entry fee is a high price to pay for a shirt, a prize, and a line on your running resume.

There is an etiquette to comps. We don't tell the punters.

You ask politely and no matter if it is granted, or turned down, you don't go around telling everyone. Else others will want one too, and to be honest, they may well be more deserving.

Every elite that enters your race, whether they are comped or not, attracts positive publicity and sponsor interest. Having an elite who 1) won a medal at the most recent olympic games and 2) holds the US womens marathon record is even more beneficial. If a race director can't understand this, they are destined for mediocrity.

[JamesM]

I agree that having an elite enter your race may attract positive publicity and it is true that most RD's would probably have bent the entry rules and comped them.

On the other hand, it's just RUDE to ask for something for free, and then gripe when you don't get it. That's acting like a spoiled child.

There are races that sell out the day they open. They don't need more publicity and may not want to be known for codling elites.

[Trailrunnerdude]

On the other hand, it's just RUDE to ask for something for free, and then gripe when you don't get it. That's acting like a spoiled child.

There are races that sell out the day they open. They don't need more publicity and may not want to be known for codling elites.

Ok, hypothetical situation: A small-time, charity golf tournament gets a request from Tiger Woods (who happens to be in town at the time of the tournament) to enter for free. The tournament director says no and Tiger mentions it on his blog. Is Tiger then 'griping' and 'acting like a spoiled child'?

[JamesM]

OK - First this is not golf. Don't get me started with golf. Tiger Woods is a golf pro. Pro Golf is not an ammiter sport. At best it's entertainment in funny pants.

If you can't make your arguments work for running, or a related sport, then I am not that interested.

But .... Tiger Woods is mega rich. He would be seen as cheep and sniveling if he complained about not getting into a little local event.

While it may not be the best marketing decision not to comp a pro like Tiger Woods into a local ammeter event, I am sure there would be strong support from a number of the participants for keeping their event ammeter.

There is an unholy attitude of bending down and worshiping stars. They need to live by the rules like the rest of us. Do you think they should comp OJ too?

[jferstle]

It's interesting how emotional and personal the responses get on this issue. It's not a new one. I can remember strong feelings about it among some race directors back in the 1970s, before much money was in the sport and not involving any Olympic medalists. Some race directors felt that elite runners asking for a comp entry was freeloading on the part of the athletes. If you look at it objectively, it's really a business decision. Somebody wants to use your facilities--i.e. the race course and services you provide on race day--and it is your choice whether or not giving them a free entry is good business. All the PR issues are "window dressing," much ado about an ancillary issue. Yes, there can be negative or positive publicity about the decision, but will any of it really influence how many runners your event has next year?

[Trailrunnerdude]

Pro Golf is not an ammiter sport. At best it's entertainment in funny pants.


I see, so do you think that running is an amateur sport? I can tell you that it is not. We've come a long way from the 1970s when elite runners had to live off of foodstamps and in worn out trailers or used cars and we're not going back. There are two ways one can go in this industry, either you move with the times or the times move you.