Slick marketing has replaced, nearly completely, the notion of Real Racing. The beauty of our sport is that anyone can put one foot in front of the other. That same inclusiveness is also the biggest challenge for competitive runners. Very few races make the attempt to cater to aspiring elites. Fewer all the time in fact. More entrants, lower margins, and economies of scale replacing blood, sweat, and tears.
The athlete in me laments the passing of the competitive era. Giving nods appropriate however to those few that still toil, miles and miles burdened by dreams of potential realized. If I am the Lorax, you are the trees.
Most of today’s generation of runner sees our sport differently than I do. It all starts with the Shiny. Something that catches attention, becomes muy, muy popular for the sake of popularity. Bring on the Bling! The bigger, the shinier, the better! Mr. T starter kits, manhole size, make it bigger, make it brighter!
Bodies Race Company is one example of a “Race In A Box”. A nationally owned, franchised start to finish model. Their platter size medals now saturating the Good Life. The Omaha Hy-Vee Women’s Half Marathon another good example. Part of the National Women’s Half Marathon Series. Dig this- “Open to men as well, men that do register will receive a women’s cut v-neck t-shirt and of course there are NO awards for male athletes. This is a women’s race that allows men to participate with their spouse, girlfriend or by themselves!” Well Howdy Do!!
That’s what you get with a Race In A Box.
Linda hand makes our participation and age group awards. Local races with a local feel. Mom and pop events for our community. With proceeds staying in our community. Benefitting our community.
These are the bleachers from the old DC West Middle School. circa 1960s
Here I am cutting those bleachers into our age group awards for Valley 7 Lakes Marathon. Locally significant and representative. Better than A Race In A Box
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