Elite Runners at VLM2010

GotTheRuns

22/04/2010 at 14:13

The London Marathon organisers have spent £150,000 on flights to ensure that sufficient elite runners are at the start on Sunday. Is this money well spent?

cougie

pirate

22/04/2010 at 14:16

I'd read that it was the athletes agents that had hired a private jet to get them in there ?

There may well be a clause with the tv coverage money - that they have to have a top quality field ? So yes I'd say so.

fat buddha

22/04/2010 at 14:17

depends on what you mean by well spent

for the organisers - probably - as it's a competitive event at elite level and the more elites they have running, then the bigger exposure the race will have in the media - and maybe the better the race.

for the ordinary runners doing it - probably not much difference and as long as we aren't being asked to stump up for the cost, then no big deal imho

they may also be covered by insurance for this as well

kittenkat

pirate

22/04/2010 at 14:26

I think Richard Branson can afford it.

kinaseboy

22/04/2010 at 14:29

There's probably a lot of competition between the majors to be the "best" "fastest" etc. marathon in the world. I'm sure they'd dearly like to wrest the WR back from Berlin. Although having it a few weeks earlier would help.

Wilkie

22/04/2010 at 15:11

Where is the figure of £150k coming from? Dispatches?

For how many runners? Say 30? that's £5k a flight? Why aren't they using Ryanair?

Don't the RUNNERS have an obligation to get themselves here, if they have an appearance contract?

GotTheRuns

22/04/2010 at 15:17

The figure was mentioned on BBC 5 Live Wilkie and they quoted Dave Bedford who felt that it was money well spent to ensure a great race on Sunday. I'm not sure if Ryanair fies from Kenya and Ethiopia.

kittenkat

pirate

22/04/2010 at 15:20

The story is here.

Wilkie

22/04/2010 at 15:24

Well you'd thing Virgin would have offered the use of their planes!

Richard Branson doesn't usually miss an opportunity for some publicity.

micknphil-marathonlads.com

22/04/2010 at 15:30

Money well spent - probably

but the whole thing does'nt suprise me at all

after all an event like London, if they had NOT got ( as they call it ) most of those 45 world best athletes there

then what kind of international marathon would it be

Matchstick Man

22/04/2010 at 15:31

Wilkie wrote (see)

Don't the RUNNERS have an obligation to get themselves here, if they have an appearance contract?

It's expenses innit? I doubt Paula pays for herself to come over from France when she runs big city marathons

Fido2Dogs

22/04/2010 at 16:49

Though from the sound of it, everyone wanting to see how much Mara Yamauchi can worry Irina Mikitenko this year should propose a big vote of thanks to Shige Yamauchi as it sounds he's been doing a lot of driving lately.

cougie

pirate

22/04/2010 at 17:17

Wilkie - I'm thinking Virgin are probably quite busy with their planes at the moment.... I dont think it'd be good publicity if they left travellers stranded to rescue some elite athletes ?

Straycelt

22/04/2010 at 17:20

Big first and 30th anniversary FLM would best be recognised for a great field than the year few big names turned up. Less crowds/media interest more difficult to get sponsors next year and the field looks quite tasty in terms of a quick time. All adds to the debate but I'd say money well spent!

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