Rich Races in Odd Places

[Andrew A.]

Are lucrative events well off the beaten path good for running?
http://runningtimes.com/Print.aspx?articleID=16493

I say yes.  Even with as much disinterest as I may have for events (R&R Az Half, real,-Berlin, Standard Chartered Dubai) that essentially stage an elite race only as a record attempt, those are far better than races (mostly sub-major marathons) that forgo significant elite prize purses to pour more resources into the post-race buffet and has-been concert and so on.  Reavis can moan about it as much as he wants, but until the sport of road running gets its act together and enables a governing body with real teeth then this will be a natural side-effect of a vacuum in organization and oversight.  Until then, the more that Geb and his ilk get mentioned in a positive light in the media, the better.

[Ryan]

I don't see the problem with this. It gets the best athletes in the sport to places where people would not normally get to see them. The real problem is the proliferation of time trial "races" as opposed to real head to head competitions. However, if they are going to be held as time trials, might as well get these great athletes out in front of potential fans around the world, not just in Boston, New York, London, Berlin, and Chicago.

If not bringing the greatest to these races meant they would all be racing head to head in some real competition, great, get rid of this. If not, and I highly doubt it would, then keep things as they are.