Here's one way to stay relevant to top-tier runners when downhill marathons are no longer OTQ-eligible: increase your prize money. I just received the Top of Utah Marathon flier in the mail yesterday, and was surprised to see an increase of prize quantity and depth:
1. $1500
2. $1000
3. $750
4. $350
5. $250
Or something like that. I actually forget the exact numbers, other than 1st is $1500 and money goes 5 deep instead of 3 deep. This is surprising to me, given the economic landscape. But on the other hand, most race directors I've talked to have told me that registration numbers are
not down due to the economy. Perhaps the running industry is "recession-proof", in that it's cheap to do, and people who do it have it in their blood, and won't ever quit. It's not a luxury, but a necessity for most of us.
Anyway, I wonder if TOU will receive is boost in not only top-end runners, but also in depth? In the past, 5th place is usually in the 2:40 to sub-2:40 range, so perhaps a flood of 2:35-2:40 guys will start running TOU instead of St. George in hopes of stealing some cash. Who knows?
But the real question is when will St. George get their act together and start offering cash prizes?
Discuss.
