In the last half of the '70s, it seemed the 10k distance was hugely popular. Some rural race in Western PA would usher in 500 bodies and it was common to see the winner in 30 flat. One year my time near 36 would garner about 86th overall.
Push forward to being 43 and running the same 36 for first overall at another local 10k with 120 folks and running 37 at 51 and getting 2nd overall. Obviously nothing changed much for me. Still going through the motions. What happened to "the field." Where are the Ham and Eggers? Back in the day one kid ran 33:30 and was 14 years old. Many of us saw these results happen back then. I partly think because we basically worked out all day playing, doing chores, gym class, sports practice, and then goofing off until dark with neighbor kids. I remember my Mom telling me that my brother and I were going through almost a box of cereal a day and 5 gallons of milk a week. How true I do not know.
I have noticed a fair few races going under locally. There has also been a lot of consolidation. In the greater Seattle area, two groups - Orca Running and the Snohomish Running Company - have snapped up a whole bunch of what used to be independent races. They are both very well organized and execute races that go off on time and have well-marked courses, chip-timed, semi-accurately measured. On the flip side, they are very focused on the "swag" and pricey and monopolies are always dangerous. Their races are well-attended and I think they are putting some of the smaller independent races out of business. It's a lot more efficient to do 12 races a year than just one.
Also, as has been widely reported, Seattle has a major cop shortage. This has made running races within city limits much more difficult. I don't know of any races longer than 5K run on city streets since Covid. (The Seattle marathon was run mostly on the I90 interstate HOV lane and on multiuse trails I think, though I didn't run it, so I'm not 100% sure.) Several races were canceled, moved or shortened. For example, the Hot Chocolate 15K was canceled and only the 5K was run. I am not involved in race organization, but my sense is that it's extremely difficult to get the police support necessary to close roads in Seattle proper. I don't know how big of an issue this is around the country, but I think it's a big factor here.
I have been frustrated by a number of races being canceled or moved, first due to Covid and now due to who-knows-what, maybe the cop shortage. I think a bunch of people probably got tired of shelling out money for a race only to have it turn "virtual!" and not get an option of a refund and have their training go to race. Orca / SRC have "no refund for any reason" policies on all their races.
Personally I can't run fast without head to head competition, the more the better. I like to race. So I'm still participating.
Some events just need organizing. A local ultra has shorter races, but also 55k, 80k and 160k. I mean anyone can run around the block 4,578 times for a 50-miler, but it's more fun to run through the countryside, up and down mountains, through private land, all the while benefitting from kind volunteers throwing vegan pancakes at you and filling your sweaty palms with Smarties. However will me and my close running buddies EVER run an organized half marathon again? Will we drive two hours and pay $125 for a two-hour run and a cheesy medal that will join the pile under the workbench in the basement? No, not ever. There is merit to the gathering of the tribe, and indeed if I want to attempt a PB at the 5k distance I'll pay $20 for a local fundraiser just so I can try and tag along with some faster runners. Scott was right...if I need any love for running a half marathon or even a marathon, I'll just do it, post it to Strava, get my 20-30 kudos, and move on! For "almost" free!
In the last half of the '70s, it seemed the 10k distance was hugely popular. Some rural race in Western PA would usher in 500 bodies and it was common to see the winner in 30 flat. One year my time near 36 would garner about 86th overall.
Push forward to being 43 and running the same 36 for first overall at another local 10k with 120 folks and running 37 at 51 and getting 2nd overall. Obviously nothing changed much for me. Still going through the motions. What happened to "the field." Where are the Ham and Eggers? Back in the day one kid ran 33:30 and was 14 years old. Many of us saw these results happen back then. I partly think because we basically worked out all day playing, doing chores, gym class, sports practice, and then goofing off until dark with neighbor kids. I remember my Mom telling me that my brother and I were going through almost a box of cereal a day and 5 gallons of milk a week. How true I do not know.
I have noticed a fair few races going under locally. There has also been a lot of consolidation. In the greater Seattle area, two groups - Orca Running and the Snohomish Running Company - have snapped up a whole bunch of what used to be independent races. They are both very well organized and execute races that go off on time and have well-marked courses, chip-timed, semi-accurately measured. On the flip side, they are very focused on the "swag" and pricey and monopolies are always dangerous. Their races are well-attended and I think they are putting some of the smaller independent races out of business. It's a lot more efficient to do 12 races a year than just one.
Also, as has been widely reported, Seattle has a major cop shortage. This has made running races within city limits much more difficult. I don't know of any races longer than 5K run on city streets since Covid. (The Seattle marathon was run mostly on the I90 interstate HOV lane and on multiuse trails I think, though I didn't run it, so I'm not 100% sure.) Several races were canceled, moved or shortened. For example, the Hot Chocolate 15K was canceled and only the 5K was run. I am not involved in race organization, but my sense is that it's extremely difficult to get the police support necessary to close roads in Seattle proper. I don't know how big of an issue this is around the country, but I think it's a big factor here.
I have been frustrated by a number of races being canceled or moved, first due to Covid and now due to who-knows-what, maybe the cop shortage. I think a bunch of people probably got tired of shelling out money for a race only to have it turn "virtual!" and not get an option of a refund and have their training go to race. Orca / SRC have "no refund for any reason" policies on all their races.
Personally I can't run fast without head to head competition, the more the better. I like to race. So I'm still participating.
Some events just need organizing. A local ultra has shorter races, but also 55k, 80k and 160k. I mean anyone can run around the block 4,578 times for a 50-miler, but it's more fun to run through the countryside, up and down mountains, through private land, all the while benefitting from kind volunteers throwing vegan pancakes at you and filling your sweaty palms with Smarties. However will me and my close running buddies EVER run an organized half marathon again? Will we drive two hours and pay $125 for a two-hour run and a cheesy medal that will join the pile under the workbench in the basement? No, not ever. There is merit to the gathering of the tribe, and indeed if I want to attempt a PB at the 5k distance I'll pay $20 for a local fundraiser just so I can try and tag along with some faster runners. Scott was right...if I need any love for running a half marathon or even a marathon, I'll just do it, post it to Strava, get my 20-30 kudos, and move on! For "almost" free!