Thoughts on Still Running Rock 'N Roll Races?

Didn't see a thread on this yet. I think this is a sign of the times and the 'sport' of running needs to learn from sports like wrestling and make some changes. 

http://www.runnersworld.com/races/rock-n-roll-series-significantly-lessens-elite-program


But I will not be running any more RnR races either. With the ridiculous prices they charge and now this? I can't take it anymore. 

I never ran one in the first place because I always thought they were way too expensive. I'll stick with small town marathons. They tend to be friendlier, IME, anyway.

I have only run New Orleans twice, and soon to run the Cleveland Half as we do need more races in general around here.  However, I doubt that Cleveland will make them enough money as we are really not a big market and we have lots of "pure" runners - those who run trails and ultras - and we have a great fall race in Akron.  A bunch of us decided to support RnR early on to help our city, but I'm guessing we end up like Pittsburgh or St. Pete without a race.

CGI is all about money and my bet is that they move all their races to half marathons as fast as they can without sacrificing.  There is more money in half marathons as that is where the trend is headed.  I was saddened by the drop of the elite program and the dumbing down of the Philly Distance Run, but that is what they are about - money, not running.

Agree.  Their races are ridiculously expensive and I think they're changing the focus from a running race, a sport, and turning it into a big parade / show / thing to be seen at.  It's like half marathons are "in" now. Especially now with the lack of elite support, not cool.

I'm not sure I'm going to 100% boycott them, but I definitely wouldn't seek out their races and if I have a choice, would do another one (if on the same weekend and nearby, etc)

The largest Spring half marathon in Dallas, no other good alternative.

I will never run one of their shitty events again, I don't like them and will leave it at that!

Haha Martin - how do you REALLY feel?  I'm doing my first one (if I'm able) in November, but it was more out of proximity and timing than for R&R related.  I certainly don't feel the need (or want) to be "entertained" along the course - I pretty much sink into my own head when I'm running or like to talk with a fellow runner during a race, but it is what it is.  Too expensive though. 

On another note, an ironman cost $600 with is even more ridiculous in my opinion.  I also read that the average salary of an IM participant is $160K:money: , so that might not seem like a big deal to that demographic.  I'll suffice it to say I make quite a few dollars less than the typical IM. 

On another note, I try really really hard NOT to be one of them, but so many triathletes are narcissistic a-holes.  But I digress.....

Funny thing John, haven't even come close saying how I feel about that organization and the problems I have had with them in the past! 

They will never see another dollar out of my pocket and I don't care if they were the only one's putting on races. They can kiss my ass and enjoy every second of it!

  Come on Martin, let it all out, it's healthy for you.

I've never run one primarily because I didn't see how their entry fee was going to enable me to enjoy my experience any more than a $45-50 entry fee that I now pay for races.  Being here in the Heartland, I can go to Ohio, Illinois, KY, Michigan and my own state and run plenty.  I always felt it was too much hooplah and I'm one of the back of the pack people they're trying to embrace....however.....I'm about the sport, not the 'lifestyle' in my own slow way.

I have never run any of the RnRs and frankly do not have any ambition to.  Their prices are insanely high and I feel that a lot of these type of races are just out to make a buck.  I would much rather run a race that is smaller, where a large portion of the proceeds goes to some type of cause.

By the way, we only paid $30 to run Cleveland if we signed up at the offering.  Many of us think it is worth $30, but I bet not much more.  I'll report back.

Michele \"1L" Keane wrote:By the way, we only paid $30 to run Cleveland if we signed up at the offering.  Many of us think it is worth $30, but I bet not much more.  I'll report back.

Okay, for $30, yeah, that's a great price.  It seems like most of them are $80-$90+, which I think is too much for a half marathon....

Michele \"1L" Keane wrote:By the way, we only paid $30 to run Cleveland if we signed up at the offering.  Many of us think it is worth $30, but I bet not much more.  I'll report back.

Oh, I would do one for $30, no problem there.  The only other one I was even remotely interested in was Las Vegas, but at the time I looked at it the pricing was beyond early bird and was something like $145.  Is that right?  I can't recall and that was for a half.

I really have no feelings about RnR events... or Competitor Group. They can do what they want.

The only RnR event that I've done is Vegas. I think I did it 3 times... twice as a pacer. The only reason was because of friends. It was a good reason to meet in Vegas and have some fun while also running a marathon.

FWIW, I texted my buddy who works for CGI's ad sales dept (yes, if you look @ one of their magazines, his name is on the inside cover) and he said he had no idea what I was talking about.  I know, that pretty much says nothing, but I just wanted to name drop without name dropping, really.  

At this point, all I can say is I'm glad I didn't take the editing job opportunity I had with them.

I've run a few of their events and found them overall to be top notch well above many city run events. Philly R n R half was great again this year and the Brooklyn 10k was also great. That's said they are very expensive but they run a business not shame in that.

They ruined the Chicago Distance Classic, and I have run one of their events since.  Too many other great options!

I've run a few RnR events and volunteered for another.  I did enjoy the events I participated in, but as the years went on, it seemed like it was more and more hype and high prices, and less about a race.  Part of my perception comes from how the local RnR is televised, but the races don't seem to have the same vibe as they did 5 years ago.  It's become more of an event than a race.

I will say that my first marathon was RnR San Diego, so thanks for the memories, but we're not friends anymore.  There's too many better options out there.

We've only run one RnR event...Country Music 2010.  Too crowded in the 1st half...wore me out before the second half when all the HMers left the course.  Don't have any reason to run another.  I like the small town mari's and (like Dot) our own Ohio, Indiana, Michigan runs.  Now that we are in FL 6 months, I'm finding some good ones down there too (Ft. Myers, Tampa, Marco).  Makes me anxious to get back at it.

I have no issues with R'n'R events.

Well marked courses.
Plenty of amenities.
No huge issues with traffic/congestion (I've only run our of Cor #1) on the course.

The only issue I had was Savannah, with 1/2 Marathoners running over the cone barriers, but I had a bike escort for most of it. While I wasn't even in the top 10 (I think I was 14th OA), it was nice having the bike escort to minimize the problem.

Now, many of the course could be faster, and some could be more interesting, but...