Runnerville Weekly #11
Happy April Fool’s Day. Unfortunately (or fortunately), we didn’t put together a joke podcast. Is it an indicator of the serious times of our sport? Or just a complete lack of creativity? Tough call. Regardless, we made it to Episode #11. No podfading at Runnerville Weekly!
Are you creative? Have something to say? Call the comment line at 206-888-0346 and record your beef. Or you can email an mp3 file to comments (at) runnerville (dot) com.
In this episode:
Toni Reavis, in response to an African-dominated World XC event, proposes a city-based team system with a full-fledged draft.
Amby Burfoot, also in response to the “crisis” of World XC (or as he calls it, a dual meet between Kenya and Ethiopia), points out the artificial level playing field at the Olympics and World Championships, where only 3 athletes from each country can compete. World XC allows 9. Oops!
Wejo finally hearts Bekele, but isn’t willing to call him the GOAT. He is, however, willing to call him the GOATAXC (Greatest Of All Time At Cross Country).
Chris Lear wonders if world class runners are capable of endorsing anything or representing anybody besides the shoe companies. What do you think? What athletes would be good pitchmen? And what products would you want them to promote? Chris wants to know.
Matt Taylor tries to answer Chris’s question with beer and coffee. Imagine it: Carney and Yuengling. Lukezic and Gaggia Classic. Marketing has changed and running is being left behind…
Contribute to the show. Send your segment via email or call the comment line at 206-888-0346.
[Music is “Mr. Lovely” by Beth Thornley.]
Last 5 posts by Matt Taylor- The Toni & Matt Show #17 - Vin Lananna - July 9th, 2008
- LetsRun.com Eugene '08 - June 30th, 2008
- The Toni & Matt Show #16 - June 17th, 2008
- USOC to USATF: Change Now! - June 14th, 2008
- The Toni & Matt Show #15 - June 11th, 2008
April 1st, 2008 at 8:23 am |
Great episode, once again. I’d like to touch on what Chris (and then Matt) stated about if world class runners are capable of endorsing anything but shoe companies. How do we know most of these athletes? Wearing a singlet while running on the track. No doubt, stepping outside the walls of this grid is crucial in how not only the athletes, but the sport as a whole, should be marketed. I understand that no runner may be able to share the stage on Saturday Night Live like a Peyton Manning or a LeBron James. In order to speak to more of the masses, our athletes need to step up to their own sponsors and ask “why not.” Can they throw out the first pitch at a baseball game. Why not? Can they connect themselves to other athletes in other sports endorsing the same product. Why not? Can they be in a campaign for the Apple iPod. Why not? A great example of how this was done was the AT&T Blueroom feature with sprinter Sanya Richards last year. We got to see an inside tour of her house, among other things, hosted by former NFL star Deion Sanders. Who else but “Primetime” would be a great star to be associated with even if you don’t necessarily have AT&T at your home? The consumer got the chance to see Sanya off the track and how she lives her life when she’s at home. That’s what the athletes need to ask themselves. I say why not.
April 1st, 2008 at 1:22 pm |
As an Army officer, mostly what I do is problem solve and put out lots of fires. I have learned over the years; that if I find the smart people and put them in a room, a solution can be found. Obviously, there is a major problem with the marketing of running as a professional sport. And the gap between the runner and the professional runner is huge. In order to come up with viable solutions I highly recommend that a runner symposium is set up where USATF, RW, R-Times, professional runners/their agents, top XC/Track coaches, running store owners, track club presidents, race directors, running shoe/apparel companies are all invited to come together to help improve our sport and work towards getting US running back to the top. ZAP/Hansen Bros…these are all great folks doing great things; but just imagine if all of these folks were able to lay it all out on the table.
I know easier said than done.
April 3rd, 2008 at 11:07 pm |
So after listening to the podcast this week and of course a run, I picked up this month’s Vogue (yeah the one with Lebron). I got pretty excited because they promoted Olympic athletes inside. Well, my excitement was short lived. First of all, the male athletes were paired up with skinny models and were in there sports clothes. Secondly, the females athletes that should of been paired up with the male athletes instead of the models, had very few pictures and none of them in the clothes like the models. The female athletes were beautiful ( Allyson Felix looked amazing) but the editors did not let us as an audience seem them as anything but an athlete. What I want to point out is that I believe that runners can promote other things beside shoes but will advertisers use anyone but skinny itty bitty models.
April 5th, 2008 at 6:03 pm |
Just an FYI, your links don’t all lead to the article you mention. I clicked on the Amby Burfoot article but got his general blog, which was covering an entirely different topic.
That said, keep up the good work!