1/2 marathon champs

[pistol77]

I just called the organizer for the canadian half marathon championships inquiring about travel and lodging for the race. She told me that athletics canada had provided her with a list of athletes to invite and provide accomadations and travel for. Athletes not on this list could have the option of sharing a room at there own expense.
Now I can get hotel and travel or at least travel reimbursment if I perform well at many large races, yet for Canada's first half marathon championships I can get nothing.
Yes I have been injured frequently over the past 2 years, yet my one race in Canada a 1/2 marathon in toronto in 2002 was the 3rd fastest half marathon in Canada that year and would be in the top 10 run over the past 2 years. yes I know it was not a fast run, but i would still think i would be on a list for at least hotel for the race.
Oh well nothing I can do about it eh.
I just get frustrated with the way athletes are treated in Canada, in the states, even the smallest of events take much better care of the athletes. Yes there are exceptions, i've found Alan Brooks (canada running series) and manny Rodriguez at (ottawa) to be very helpful, other than them nothing.

[myers]

I think you're in the same boat with a lot of other runners. I believe the list was generated based on half-marathon rankings only, from 2003 and 2004. From that, I think the top 5 were going to be eligible for hotel/entry fee comping.
Thus, if you haven't run a half-marathon recently, you have no chance for assistance of any kind. Consequently, there are national team regulars that still have to pay the $48 entry fee. If the goal of this race is to improve our team for Edmonton 2005, you would think they would want to attract athletes from other disciplines -- particularly those who have track as a primary focus.
Since I'm not really elite, I've never been in a position to complain about lack of special treatment. However, if a race is going to have an elite athlete program, I think they should be able to identify the competitors that are going to be at the front. If someone competed for Canada a month ago at a World Championship, I don't see how you can deny them elite status for a national trials race. As it is, I predict that the men's race winner will NOT be one of the pre-identified elites.

[Chris Moulton]

I thought the list was based on a composition of people who represented Canada at WXC and half marathon performances. Although you have to admit that logic and athletics canada are rarely linked, what other national body would have their 1/2 marathon, marathon and 10k champs all in the span of two weeks?

[Bomba]

does this race actually count for anything besides being a Nat championship (ie teams)?

[MattMc]

The 1/2 champs are the selection race for the World 1/2 marathon champs in New Delhi in October. Top guy/gal with standard (1:06:15 or sub 1:07:30? in the race) gets funded and up to 3 others can self fund.

I am pretty sure that there was a committee made up of AC people/ the race directors who delegated a certain amount of money to fund up to 10 people (5M/5F) fully to the race. I have heard that anyone ranked in the top 10 for the last year or two gets comp entry/ hotel too.

It's not a bad deal compared to the National 10km (no travel budget) or Marathon (less travel budget, and it's only when it is in Ottawa that they have one) Champs, however I agree it's nowhere near what the US have.

I personally am excited that there is now a National Champs at another event on the road, I just wish it weren't so close to the Full Marathon Champs.

Matt

PS I second Myers' pick for the W.

ereeD oG

[pvail]

I have had a similar conversation with the race director, asking for any possible assistance since I will traveling to the competition from Flagstaff on limited resources. She explained the "list" situation (top 5 men/women). However, she seems willing to try to help set other runners up in shared hotel rooms, making it more affordable (under $40/night pp).

I agree that it would be nice if a race had to "bid" for the championship and thus have a community enthusiatic about hosting competitors, i.e. Birmingham for the U.S. Marathon Championships. But as she explained graciously, this is the first year and next year there may be more services available.

If the race director is unable to help set up shared accommodation - if anyone else is in the same situation, let me know as I will be in Edmonton Friday & Saturday night.

Peter