In a message dated Tue, 5 Sep 2000 6:09:09 PM Eastern Daylight Time, "Linda Honikman" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> writes: << Paul, you make some good points. Can you be more specific about the following statement - > Venues > for college distance running have disappeared as well (eg., the Drake > Relays Marathon--not a college event, but one in which some of the > collegiate guys would run). Was there a time when college marathons were popular? I do know that the World University Games reduced their marathon to a half-marathon a few years ago. Perhaps having a few more half-marathons for college or recent graduates would be a good start. As you point out, most college age athletes aren't ready for a good marathon but training just for the 10K may not be the best preparation for future marathoners. Cheers, Linda Honikman, USATF RRIC and Running USA >> Training for the 10,000 IS good preparation for the marathon when one is aged 18-23. Cross-country is even better. Unfortunately, the number of 10K's in cross apart from districts and nasties is way down (Chili Pepper the only one left?). Hopefully, the move afoot a year or two ago by some coaches to shorten the DI distance to 8K will not catch on. The problem is that too many guys hang around the 10K distance once they're out of school instead of moving straight up to the marathon, where they could make an immediate impact on the U.S. scene. Guys like Fein, Matt Downin and Balkman could be excellent marathoners, IMHO. And just because you move up to the marathon doesn't mean you can't still run a fast 10 now and then. sideshow
