September 2006 Issue 281 Race Organizers Remove IN THE NEWS Army Ten Miler Gets Tough on Reinstated Drug Offender from Headphones Philadelphia Distance Run Going a step further than other races, which have stated headphones By Phil Stewart are not welcome in their events but have done little to enforce the policy, ll of the talk about zero tolerance for drug cheats, even those who have the Army Ten Miler in Washington, DC served their suspensions, turned to action at the Jefferson Hospital plans to conduct stepped up screening Philadelphia Distance Run Half on Sept. 17th, when race A as runners line up for the Oct. 8 event. officials removed Asmae Leghzaoui from the course near the three-mile mark. “Because this is the Army’s race and The Moroccan distance star, who has owned world road bests at 8K, 10K and it is staged at the Pentagon, ATM is 12K, is no newcomer to controversy. She received a two-year ban for a positive rHuEPO test at the 2003 IAAF World Cross Country championships, and last subject to high security measures . . .” spring she ignited a storm of protest after being invited to the Freihofer’s Run for Heart rate monitors and hands-free Women 5K shortly after the completion of her ban. Several athletes withdrew hydration systems will not be allowed, from the event, citing what they felt was a cover-up of the positive test. and runners are being told not to run At Philadelphia, according to reports, she asked for elite athlete status from with “keys, loose change, or other Mike Long, the elite athlete coordinator of the Elite Racing event, and was turned noise-making accessories.” The down. She subsequently entered on-line, paying the $40 entry free on her own, organizers point out that plenty of and showed up at the starting line. According to sources, she was offered her water will be available on the course. $40 back and refused. After passing two miles in 9:55, she encountered a motorcycle with a photographer aboard and was told to get off the course. She IAAF Disallows Gebrselassie's 25K complied with the order. World Record In a time of heightened activity on the part of both athletes and event organizers Haile Gebrselassie’s 25K time of to get tough on drug cheats, the episode raised questions about the rights of banned 1:11:37 generated considerable athletes to resume competition after serving their suspensions. A number of posts debate about the use of pacers, but in on Let’s Run, a popular runner’s chat room, were supportive of Elite Racing’s the end the IAAF disallowed the record position. “Way to go Mike and staff...say NO to drug cheats!,” wrote one because there was no drug testing for individual, while another stated, “Way to take a stand! This is huge news, and the EPO after the event. “We are very elites that ran here at Philly really appreciated the efforts by Mike and his staff.” specific. Any record from 100m to The five events have stated that they will bar any athletes 100km must have been tested for from participating in their events who have received bans of over 6 months. EPO,’’ Pierre Weiss, the IAAF’s general Interestingly, Shaun Hellebuyck, wife of Eddy Hellebuyck, who will finish his secretary, was quoted as saying by two year ban this fall, told RRM, “I would never impose an athlete on an event that the official Xinhua News Agency. “This Athlete Removal Continued on Page 8 has been the case for two years now, INSIDESurvey Continued on Page 3 but it seems that not all the laboratories Commentary: Are Event Directors Charging Enough? know about it.” Survey: Who Are the Sponsors of U.S. Road Races? The Business Page: New Balance Immortalized by Monopoly www.rrm.com

RRM, September 2006 Page 1 No part of this publication may be reproduced in any form without written permission of the publisher GUEST C OMMENTARY

The Things We Think and Do Not Say least charge prices close to market value? The reselling of bib numbers shows that (The Future of Our Business)* if the road races won't make the market happen, then the runners themselves By Sean Ryan will. The exploding participation in triathlons recent New York Times article When bib numbers are being sold on provides an interesting comparison. Ahighlighted the practice of runners Ebay at three or four times face value, Admittedly, triathletes boast a higher re-selling race bibs for mega-events it reveals that the market value of those average income than the typical marathon (Chicago, New York, etc.) at much bibs is much higher than whatever price runner. But I still find it unsettling that it inflated prices. While the article focused the race organizers are wiling to charge. can cost $450 to participate in an Ironman primarily on how certain races are Rather than seeing the opportunity for and only $95 to run the . addressing the issue, I was more upward movement in registration fees, In my opinion, most race directors— fascinated with the aspect of the "grossly however, some race directors will obsess and certainly running clubs—have what I inflated prices." Here's why... about the need for better transfer control/ call "a paternalistic runner's mindset." In the short three years that I have prevention measures. Instead of They feel a sense of duty to keep been in this industry, several things have wondering about whether it's time to registration fees at "affordable family become apparent. While overall demand double entry fees, their boards will levels" because of their roots as runners for road races may be slowing, demand strategize about how to find the and advocates for the sport. When certain for entry to certain races continues to offenders who resell their entries and professional road race management soar. And while these marquee events ban them for life. companies suggest that registration fees sell out consistently, their entry fees It seems ironic that road race directors should be priced at market levels, it is have moved up quite slowly. Registration can boast about the above average often viewed by the rest of the road fees for several of these events have income of their participants when talking racing establishment as blasphemy, as hovered at just below $100 for some with a sponsor, and minutes later fret capitalistic mentality at its worst. time. These events and their fees set the about "gouging runners" with a $10 So how is it possible for prices to market and create an artificial ceiling for price increase. Why is our industry remain artificially low? It is made possible the rest of the road races in the country. ashamed to charge market value, or at through the efforts of the people that work in the industry who settle for exceedingly low levels of income relative to the effort and expertise they provide. It is made possible by volunteers who Road Race Management Newsletter is published monthly at 4904 Glen Cove work through the night for no pay so that Pkwy., Bethesda, MD 20816. Copyright 2006 by Road Race Management, Inc. a local charity can be a few thousand No part of this publication may be reproduced in any form without written permission of the publisher. ISSN: 0739-3784. Phone: 301-320-6865. Fax: 301- dollars richer after the weekend. It is 320-9164. E-Mail: [email protected] made possible by the blood, sweat and tears of the race directors and sadly Editor and Publisher Administrative Assistant/Circulation enough, their families, who settle for Phil Stewart Beth Rosenthal peanuts and very little praise because Managing Editor Marketing Consultant they remain above all else passionate Pam Balcke Darman & Associates about road racing. And where does all Contributing Writers this extra value go in the end? It goes to Jim Ferstle, Jim Gerweck, Jim Hage, Dave Kayser, a seller on Ebay. Claudia Piepenburg, Sean Ryan, and Mark Winitz Note: The article title was borrowed The views expressed in Road Race Management Newsletter may not reflect the viewpoint of Road Race Management, Inc. from the film Jerry McGuire. Sean Ryan is the Director of the www.rrm.com Cellcom Green Bay Marathon.

Page 2 RRM, September 2006 No part of this publication may be reproduced in any form without written permission of the publisher GUEST C OMMENTARY

A Call to Action on Drug Testing By Larry Rawson

gent Brendan Reilly, his voice race director of Austin’s marathon, in detail. “I think there is definitely more Aintense and firm, echoed the experienced what the problem may be. testing in track and field than in road sentiments of many of the sport’s clean “Two weeks before my race in 2004, I racing. It’s the biggest hole in the sport athletes: “It’s time to start rigorous announced I would have drug testing. and it really needs to be addressed now.” testing in prize money races. Testing for Within days, I had calls from the agents of At the 2005 USATF convention, EPO use should be mandatory, as well as three Russian women who had committed Women’s LDR Chair Elizabeth Phillips, for athletes in the masters’ division. to run. They told me they were all canceling after hearing several elite athletes at Until we do this, we will be viewed as out because they were injured. I decided I their meeting complain about the lack of track and field’s bastard stepchild.” would track when their next prize-money testing in road races, again brought up the Winking at the problem is no longer a races were. All three competed again idea of licensing athletes and has drafted solution. The visibility of the races, the within 20 to 30 days. It opened my eyes the outline of a structure that, with some money raised for charity, and the dollars to what I think is really going on now. tweaking, may well work going forward. won by athletes have grown so significantly People are stealing money, real money, Mary Wittenberg, the CEO of the that a newspaper article in your town, and it happens almost every weekend.” 40,000-member New York Road Runners, questioning why you don’t have testing, Agent Ray Flynn sees it from an had this to say: would be extremely embarrassing. interesting perspective. He represents ”We are at a time of great risk for our Glenn Latimer, the chairman of the 25 track and field and 30 road race sport. We need to ensure that road racing men’s long distance running committee of athletes and sees both areas of the sport Commentary Continued on Page 6 the USATF, first proposed a licensing of road racing’s elite athletes, U.S. and SIDEBAR foreign. The fee would have been around $500, testing would occur at prize money Prize Money Earnings by Country races, and age-verification would have U.S. athletes often feel that the drug-testing system is unfairly weighted in been mandatory. The proposal was made favor of foreign athletes. While U.S. runners are subject to random drug-testing to the Association of Road Racing Athletes by USADA, athletes of other countries often escape such testing. The result and, said Glenn, “It went nowhere.” The is that if individual events fail to drug test, foreign athletes can often avoid year was 1984. That was also the first testing for significant periods of time. The chart below, furnished by Ken Young year that road racing’s prize money for of the Association of Road Race Statisticians, show how much money is being men and women in the U.S. topped the won by runners from countries where not much testing is being done. $1,000,000 mark. The 2005 U.S. total reached $6,557,000, and according to M e n 1st 2nd 3rd 4th Total Prize $ road race statistician Ken Young, it 2005 Country KEN USA ETH RSA Worldwide represents almost exactly 50 percent of Amount $3,477,865 $ 821,815 $773,870 $258,440 $6,880,014 2004 Country KEN USA ETH RSA all road racing prize money worldwide. Amount $3,202,377 $1,074,115 $677,62 $291,395 $7,040,768 Twenty-two years later, the testing 2003 Country KEN ETH USA RSA issue is definitely gathering momentum. Amount $3,642,830 $ 712,815 $662,410 $258,440 $7,291,575 The five PPRO major races, Lilac Bloomsday, Utica, Peachtree, the World’s Women 1st 2nd 3rd 4th Total Prize $ Best 10K and the Cherry Blossom Ten 2005 Country ETH USA KEN RUS Worldwide Mile, all began testing 5 men and 5 women Amount $1,013,515 $ 973,217 $966,380 $951,170 $6,388,549 this year. Boston, Chicago, New York, 2004 Country RUS KEN USA ETH and the AT&T Austin Marathon have all Amount $1,075,570 $ 984,965 $895,910 $469,675 $5,897,164 had testing for years. John Conley, the 2003 Country KEN RUS USA ETH Amount $1,135,800 $1,098,055 $931,380 $597,015 $6,442,530

RRM, September 2006 Page 3 No part of this publication may be reproduced in any form without written permission of the publisher SURVEY

Sponsorship Survey: Who Supports Our Nation's Road Races? By Sean Ryan

Overview

Perhaps the most intimidating area of road race management is sponsorship sales. Race directors are often uncertain about whom to approach and how to price a sponsorship agreement. Certainly crafting a good sponsorship proposal is more art than science. Sharing information and best practices can shed some light on this challenging topic. in August of this year, Road Race Management conducted its first bi-annual Sponsorship Survey, and 152 directors contributed their thoughts and information.

Title Sponsors TABLE 1 There does not seem to be a close Title Sponsorship by Event Distance correlation between the distance of the event and the likelihood of having a Distances Included in Event Has Title Sponsor No Title Sponsor sponsor (see Table 1). In general, just Kids’ Run 62% (25/40) 38% (15/40) over half of the events are fortunate 5K 52% (38/73) 48% (35/73) enough—or in some cases unfortunate 10K 62% (21/34) 38% (13/34) enough—to have a title sponsor. Half Marathon 62% (39/63) 38% (24/63) The variety of industries represented Marathon 56% (34/61) 44% (27/61) at the title sponsor level in the races ALL RESPONDENTS 55% (84/152) 45% (68/152) surveyed was broad. Four industries stood out against the rest (see Table 2). Print media, broadcast media, and TABLE 2 telecommunications were each selected twice. The rest of the responses Most Common Title Sponsor Industry included military branches, Title Sponsor Industry (in order of Frequency) Percent (#) municipalities, construction 1. Financial Services 25% (20/81) contractors, restaurants, bakeries, 2. Healthcare/Medical 14% (11/81) trade associations and even an airport. 3. Running/Sporting Goods Retail 11% (9/81) Legal Arrangements 4. Automotive 10% (8/81)

Approximately 85% (68 out of 80) of title sponsors paid a fee to have their name affiliated with the event (known TABLE 3 as an “arms-length title sponsor”) as opposed to owning it outright. Just Term of Written Sponsorship Agreements over 70% of these events have written sponsorship contracts. For those with Term of Written Title Sponsorship Agreement Percent (#) written contracts, the vast majority— 1 year (year to year) 37.3% (19/51) over 85%—have a term of three years 2 years 9.8% (5/51) or less. Three years was the most 3 years 39.2% (20/51) common response followed closely by 4 years 3.9% (2/51) one year (year-to-year). (See Table 3.) 5 or more years 9.8% (5/51)

Page 4 RRM, September 2006 No part of this publication may be reproduced in any form without written permission of the publisher Financial Arrangements Pricing sponsorship agreements can be like trying to measure your height in the dark. The survey results support the notion that sponsorship agreement pricing is based less on market efficiency and “going rates” and more tied to effective negotiations and sponsor budgets. There does, however, seem to a predictable correlation between the event’s overall size and the title sponsor’s fee (see Table 4).

TABLE 4 Title Sponsorship Fee as a Function of Event Size Event Size Title Sponsor Fee (Number of Respondents) Under $5K $5K-$9K $10K-$19K $20K-$49K $50K-$99K $100K-$199K $200K-$499K $500K plus Less than 2,000 (25) 15 2 4 2 2 - - - 2,000 to 4,999 (15) 2 2 5 5 1 - - - 5,000 to 9,999 (11) - - - 3 3 3 2 - 10,000 to 19,999 (12) 1 - - 2 1 5 3 - 20,000 and over (4) - 1 - - - 1 1 1

Over 70% of title sponsors that pay TABLE 5 fees also contribute in-kind support (see Table 5).. In-Kind Support from Title Sponsor There were eight respondents whose events were wholly owned by the title In-Kind Support from Title Sponsor Percent (#) sponsor. Six out of the eight indicated $0 26.9% (18/67) $1 - $5,000 34.3% (23/67) that the annual budgeted expenditures $5,000 - $9,999 10.4% (7/67) by the company were less than $10,000 - $19,999 1.5% (1/67) $10,000. One respondent indicated $20,000 - $49,999 14.9% (10/67) $50,000 - $99,999 6.0% (4/67) that the spending fell in the $200,000 $100,000 - $199,999 4.5% (3/67) to $499,999 range while one pegged it $200,000 - $499,999 1.5% (1/67) at $500,000 plus. TABLE 6 Secondary Sponsors The next tier below the title sponsor Industries of Seconday Sponsors level shows representation from an In-Kind Support from Title Sponsor Percent (#) extremely wide range of industries. Running/sporting goods retailer 36.8% (50/136) Table 6 at right ranks thethe industries Healthcare/medical 33.1% (45/136) from most to least common responses. Bottled water 32.4% (44/136) “Other” responses occurring more Financial services (banks, investment companies) 32.4% (44/136) Broadcast media (radio, TV) 27.9% (38/136) than once included fast food/ Grocery store 26.5% (36/136) restaurants (6), energy bars (3), Automotive 25.7% (35/136) insurance companies (3), hotels (2), Running shoe manufacturer 25.7% (50/136) Fitness (fitness centers, coaches) 20.6% (28/136) airlines (2), and bakeries (2). This list Sports drink 20.6% (28/136) may prove helpful as race directors Print media companies (newspapers, magazines) 19.1% (26/136) looking for sectors to approach as Soft drink company 16.2% (22/136) Beer/wine 13.2% (18/136) possible sponsors. Telecommunications/Cellular 13.2% (18/136) High tech (computers, software) 11.0% (15/136) Sponsorship Continued on Page 6 Utilities 10.2% (14/136) Printing 9.6% (13/136)

RRM, September 2006 Page 5 No part of this publication may be reproduced in any form without written permission of the publisher Sponsorship BOOK REVIEW (Continued from page 5)

Nearly one quarter of the TABLE 7 respondents placed the value of their second tier sponsors at less than Second Tier Sponsor Values $1,000 each and over half of them pegged it at less than $5,000 each Second Level Sponsor Value Threshold Percent (#) (see Table 7). Less than $1,000 23.4% (30/128) $1,001 - $5,000 28.1% (36/128) Approximately 70% of the second $5,001 - $9,999 12.5% (16/128) tier sponsor agreements exist on a $10,000 - $19,999 9.4% (12/128) year to year basis as opposed to long $20,000 - $29,999 3.1% (4/128) $30,000 - $49,999 6.2% (8/128) term commitments. The balance $50,000 - $99,999 2.3% (3/128) includes 25% in the 2-3 year contract $100,000 or more 3.1% (4/128) range and only 6% exceeding three- No “typical” value exists; it varies greatly 11.7% (15/128) year arrangements.

Final Stats TABLE 8 One final frightening statistic emerged when respondents with title Cash Reserves Relative to Title Sponsor Fee sponsors were asked to compare their Cash Reserve as Percent of Title Sponsor Fee Percent (#) title sponsor’s annual fee to their cash Cash reserve equals 25% or less of title sponsor’s annual fee 30.3% (20/66) reserves (aka “rainy day fund”). While Cash reserve equals 26-49% of title sponsor’s annual fee 9.1% (6/66) over half of the survey respondents Cash reserve equals 50-74% of title sponsor’s annual fee 4.5% (3/66) had title sponsors, less than 30% of Cash reserve equals 75-99% of title sponsor’s annual fee 6.1% (4/66) Cash reserve equals 100% or more of title sponsor’s annual fee 27.3% (18/66) those races currently have enough I don’t know. 22.7% (15/66) cash in reserve to cover the loss of the title sponsor for even one year (see Table 8). Although sponsorship pricing and ante up and to what extent. By sales in the road race management exchanging ideas and information, the Conclusion business remains a cloudy issue, the road race directing community can Few would argue that sponsorship RRM Sponsorship Survey sheds some hopefully improve their individual and funding for road races is in light on which companies are willing to collective situations.  overabundance. Some respondents took the opportunity at the end of the Commentary survey to offer their opinion on the (Continued from page 3) situation. One respondent commented: is clean. We tell the sponsors of all seven needs to be administered separately, and "Most events do not understand of our major prize money races that we that costs between $175 to $275. Doing that they are selling advertising and test in all of them and they are pleased the job correctly, the total is approximately that the “sell” to organizations must that we do. They don’t look upon it as $500 for both. be accordingly geared. Generally, something bad that might happen; they To race directors across America, the events undervalue what they offer; don’t want cheaters in their races....We first choice would be to raise the money only some need to undervalue the are looking at ways that we can test in our to cover testing through additional product (access to active and upscale local races, too, where the prize money is sponsorship, but another scenario is to road racers) to drag down everyone. much smaller.” consider taking some or all of the funds Further, many corporations pay for Testing for EPO in road racing needs to necessary for testing off the top of your their involvement out of community be mandatory. A regular urinalysis that prize money. Believe me, the elites will affairs (corporate giving) budgets, can detect many substances costs $235 still come. And here’s why. A family of although in reality it is advertising." to administer. A second test for EPO Commentary Continued on Page 8

Page 6 RRM, September 2006 No part of this publication may be reproduced in any form without written permission of the publisher THE BUSINESS PAGE New Balance Creates a Monopoly; Tarzan Returns

Massachusetts-based to a consumer-focused organization, redefine our runner’s experience.” FOOTWEAR New Balance has Nike Brand President Charlie Denson Illinois-based Life Fitness, a leader in NEWS opened its first retail promoted Gary DeStefano, previously fitness equipment, will serve as an store in its home state. head of US operations, to President, Associate Sponsor of the 2006 LaSalle Based in Burlington and run by former Global Operations and Trevor Edwards Bank . Life Fitness NB sales rep Bob Minhane, the 3000- to VP of Global Brand and Category will use the race to showcase its Summit square foot store will complement the Management. Denson also announced Trainer, a new product combining total two factory stores the company the creation of senior leadership body cross-training and climbing in one operates elsewhere in Massachusetts. positions for five product category machine. New Balance was honored in the new segments, including running, with the Running Times has joined the Nevada Monopoly: Here & Now edition by having expectation that these core groups will Wide Open Marathon de Mayo as their one of the game tokens, used by players more consistently deliver innovative National Media Sponsor. As part of the to move around the board, in the shape products to the marketplace. Craig agreement, all race contestants will be of a NB shoe. Cheek replaces DeStephano as head of given a free one year subscription to In other New Balance news, the Nike USA. the magazine. company was awarded $75,000 in Deposed Nike CEO William Perez, who The Boston Athletic Association has damages by a Chinese court for patent abruptly left the company earlier this added six new groups to its 2007 Boston infringement by Chinese footwear year after clashing with founder Phil Marathon Charity Program, which already maker Qiuzhi Footwear. Qiuzhi was Knight, received an $8.4 million includes 15 organizations. Next April, accused of producing “New Barlun” severance package, according to approximately 1,200 runners will represent shoes remarkably similar to NB models footnoted.com. Besides being given these charities in a program that has and opening retail stores in China that almost $3 million in salary and another raised over $463 million since 1994. featured packaging, advertising and $3 million for his Portland home, Nike Nick Gregory, head of the InMotion slogans similar to those of New Balance. also covered remodeling costs for the Financial Coaching Program (888-884- Can a low-cost running shoe meet house and a $56k health club membership. 3332, [email protected]) is attempting the needs of dedicated runners who Motocross racer James Stewart and to put together a consortium of event don’t wish to spend over $100 for a the Fox footwear company have teamed directors who can leverage major high performance model? The New York up to produce the Concept Stewart, a financial corporations into sponsorship Times asked that question after Nike- $75 performance running shoe that will deals. Gregory, a financial planner, has owned Starter introduced the 3Tech be sold at motocross shops and action advisors around the country willing to Runner for $32. Although the shoe sport retail stores. assist clubs in gaining sponsorships as looks surprisingly good for a shoe of Julie Baxter, well as offering financial planning MISCELLANEOUS that price, the paper’s test runner found an apparel industry assistance to club members. the shoe to be stiff, with a constricted veteran, has been A little-noticed but enlightening book, toe box, too-hard outsole material, and named vice president of Russell Athletics' Ellison “Tarzan” Brown: the decidedly less cushioning than higher- Moving Comfort brand. Baxter’s main Narragansett Indian Who Twice Won priced shoes. focus will be developing and executing the Boston Marathon, written by first- Footwear News reports that American strategy, from concept designs to the time author Michael Ward, was Sporting Goods, owner of the Avia and marketplace. Baxter was formerly published earlier this summer by Ryka brands, is for sale. CEO Kevin director of brand management, design McFarland. In this book, Ward has Wulff stated that interest was high and and development of REI Gear & Apparel. fashioned a vivid history of a man who anticipated the sale would be completed AT&T Texas is the new title sponsor overcame blatant racism and poverty by the end of the year, probably to a of the 2007 AT&T Austin Marathon, to succeed in a white man’s sports “financial buyer,” not to another replacing Freescale. The marathon is world. It can be found at various retail footwear company. the 15th largest in the U.S., and websites, including Barnes and Noble. In a move designed to evolve Nike executive director John Conley expects In addition, Ward (978-663-3254) is from a product-driven business model the new sponsorship will “completely available for book signings. 

RRM, September 2006 Page 7 No part of this publication may be reproduced in any form without written permission of the publisher Athlete Removal (Continued from page 1) the event felt was not welcome because Committee. The bottom line is if forthcoming. Perhaps the current event directors and staff work very hard.” Legzhaoui is eligible to compete in the “Philadelphia Story” will expedite this Her concern remains with the validity of Olympics, the Act may require that she process. In RRM's opinion, the clearest the rHuEPO test, especially after Marion be allowed to compete in events that are course of action would be for the Jones’ negative B sample. sanctioned by the National Governing appropriate international and U.S. Body for that sport (USATF in the case authorities (IOC, USOC, IAAF, USATF) Issues Raised of long distance running). to adopt a uniform rule one way or the While few would disagree that an event other–establishing lifetime bans for first- Officials Silent director or elite athlete coordinator can time offenders, or two-year, or four-year be selective in whom he decides to invite In mid-June Road Race Management bans–rather than leaving the issue in the (meaning covering expenses) to an event, emailed USATF for clarification and was lap of event organizers who may end up it is not as clear that an event can assured that an answer would be with some hefty legal bills.  prevent an athlete from participating at his or her own expense. Language Commentary sometimes included in event waivers (Continued from page 6) giving event organizers the right to refuse anyone’s entry has not been legally tested. four living in Russia, anywhere but some real money in your race to an Such a case likely would turn on a court’s Moscow, can live well on $1,250 to athlete he doesn’t think is clean? How determination of whether a road race is $1,500 per month. In Kenya, that figure would that look in the headline of your a “public” or “private” event. Public is $300 to $350 per month, and in morning newspaper? events have a higher standard for Ethiopia, it drops to $125 a month. They This is a superb time for the leadership excluding entrants. Events using are not dealing with a cost of living that in the sport to emerge with a testing plan municipal roads and services are more is anything like the U.S. for drugs and EPO for open and masters likely to be deemed “public” events. According to last month's RRM survey, runners. It must have teeth and be Much of the same legal reasoning that 81 percent of elite road racers, U.S. and something that the entire sport could be has been used by the advocates of foreign, have never been tested, and 45 proud of, and willing to tell their communities wheelchair competition could come in to percent of those athletes believe the that they’ve implemented. It’s time. play in this situation. problem in road racing is as bad as it is in In addition, the U.S. Amateur Sports track and field. If that’s true, then Larry Rawson is an Emmy award-winning Act requires that no group can impose “Houston, we have a problem.” What’s ESPN Broadcaster who has covered track eligibility criteria more stringent than the to prevent a frustrated, clean athlete and field and road running for over 20  criteria of the United States Olympic from complaining to the press that he lost years..

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