Houston to host 2012 Men's and Women's Olympic Trials marathons

[Ryan]

http://www.usatf.org/news/view.aspx?DUID=USATF_2010_03_01_06_18_01

In a departure from recent history, both will be held at the same location and I believe the proposal calls for both to be held on the same weekend. Personally, I think this is a good format, to showcase both the men and the women at the same time and in the same location. Not that we can expect the mass media to make a showing but this will make a more compelling case for running media and running fans to invest more in the single weekend with twice the return. Here's to the hope that it works out that way.

[Andrew A.]

I like it.  Both races on the same date at the same venue makes great sense.  For selecting a team to race in July-August, January is more ideal than Oct/Nov or April.  And Chevron Houston, while a big marathon, is not so large (like ING NYCM, Bank of America Chicago, or John Hancock BAA) that the OT marathons will not far and away be the major focus of the weekend. 

[Ryan]

Indeed, I'm a big fan of this time frame. I did not like the time frames used last time around at all, as I mentioned then. January or February just makes sense. Also agree on the size of the accompanying event. Unfortunately, the Trials in 2007/2008 almost felt like a sideshow, a warmup for the showcase event. This time around, they will be the showcase event.

As for same date, same venue, I'm amazed they didn't try this earlier.

[Andrew A.]

I suspect that ING NYCM and John Hancock BAA did not have the flexibility (in terms of sponsorship, etc.) to bid on both as Chevron Houston did.  From what I have read, there were many conflicts between similar (footwear, banking, etc.) types of sponsors among the USOC and ING NYCM and John Hancock BAA.  Chevron Houston has an energy company as a title sponsor, USOC has no energy sponsorship.  

More: http://www.chron.com/disp/story.mpl/metropolitan/6892093.html

[Andrew A.]

Even more: http://www.letsrun.com/2010/houstonkarpas0301.php

[Andrew A.]

http://www.letsrun.com/2010/houstoned0302.php

http://racingnews.runnersworld.com/2010/03/a-brief-chat-with-elite-marathoners-about-houston-trials.html#more-2250

[Andrew A.]

A look at the process, the NYRR chief does not come off well in this: http://www.universalsports.com/news/article/newsid=468256.html

[Ryan]

Agreed. It sounds to me like she thinks NYRR is entitled to the Trials. Sorry but the USATF, not NYRR, runs the show.

Houston offered more money with fewer strings.

Houston offered better timing (back when the 2008 locations/dates were announced, I didn't hesitate to say that the scheduling for both men and women was bad - I strongly believe the Trials should always be in January or February).

Houston offered better local support.

Houston offered a single Trials weekend, potentially raising visibility and almost surely cutting costs to the USATF.

NY and Boston offered better...

As much as I appreciate what NYRR has done and continues to do for the sport, they are not entitled to the Olympic Trials. If they want to host the Trials, put forth a more compelling offer to USATF in four years. As for this time around, no matter how entitled NYRR feels, Houston simply offered a much more compelling offer.

[Andrew A.]

Right, reminds me of the grousing you can hear in other sports from one team (or, rather, one team's fans) complaining about the other team running the score up or some player celebrating after scoring.  If you do not like that behavior (not that I condone either, though insisting that an opponent stop trying their best is just asinine) then find a way to stop them from scoring.  Same with NYRR, rather than complain about the process (a process which, according to scuttlebutt, NYRR rigged in their favor last time via thinly-veiled bribery) find a way to outdo the opposition, make sure your bid is without question better than all others.  If you are not willing to do that, then accept the loss with grace, regroup and refocus on what is actually in front of you.  No sense in lamenting over opportunity missed, it is sour grapes, crying over spilled milk.

[Ryan]

Or a group of individuals who may get upset if they hear a rumor that qualifying times for some race change?

Anyway, yes, it's obvious to any unbiased observer which proposal was better for USATF. To act like NYRR is so important to American distance running that USATF should accept their inferior offer, I agree that NYRR does good things for American distance running but USATF is still the head honcho and Logan is right. He has to look out for the best of the national organization and its athletes. NYRR and BAA, while being important parts of the American distance running picture, are not all there is.

[Andrew A.]

I see a lot of benefit in holding the OT in venues outside of the typical east coast metropolises.  Less expensive travel and accommodations for friends and family who go to see their loved one compete in the Olympic Trials, brings high level events to different parts of the country to spread around attention for the sport in places where it might be comparatively lacking, etc.  I would likely not have gone to see the OT in either Boston or NYC, but I am considering traveling to see the OT in Houston, especially since both races are going to be there.  It takes innovation like what Houston put together in its bid to help move the sport forward, not clinging to a hardly altered status quo.

[Ed]

I think you guys are spot on with your comments.  Wittenberg feels that they deserved the OTs for their past efforts - sort of as a reward.  She mentions that "business" must be a part of the sport - well - a bidding process is exactly that - business.  Wittenberg was given the opportunity to know that her bid was falling short but she made the business decision to not outbid Houston.
 
Like Andrew stated - Houston will not be nearly as expensive for friends, relatives and non-local spectators.
 
Maybe Wittenberg should focus on the USATF needs for four years from now - she has four years to build up a good bid.

[Ryan]

Like Andrew stated - Houston will not be nearly as expensive for friends, relatives and non-local spectators.

Not to mention the media. Media budgets are tight right now. This gives you two races for the price of one and at a discounted rate over what Boston/New York races would cost.

I know, we can say all kinds of things about media coverage or lack thereof but one way to ensure little, if any, coverage is to give a disincentive to show up. This proposal lessens the cost disincentive.

[grasshopper]

This reminds me of that Jimi Hendrix quote that I think Ed posted, too much love of power going on there.

[Ed]

Good memory - that was Jimi Hendrix.  When the Power of Love overtakes the Love of Power - there will be world peace.