Fast Running Blog

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.  :D

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.

That is a very positive development. I have always had high respect for the TOU race directors. They do not have huge corporate sponsors or anything like that, and yet they are able to reward a good performance better than anybody else in the state.

As far as increasing the level of competition - it is hard to tell. Could go up, could stay the same for a while.

Maybe 2009 will be a good year for cherry-picking?  ;)

It sure would be nice if St. George would offer more in terms of prize money.  I really don't understand it, seems like St. George is such a big marathon, I'm sure they are making a pretty good profit off of the marathon. More prize money would really help bring in more elite runners and make the race more appealing on the national scene.

I was actually already leaning toward doing TOU as my peak fall marathon.  It being my home course and all.  Besides, I have done SGM two years in a row with last year still leaving a bad taste in my mouth.  I "may" have an outside chance at some money now to boot...

I've never done TOU, but may think about it at some point.  Last year was such a disappoint for me running St. George I would really like to run a decent time there this year and then maybe be done with the course for a few years.  I think some of us are thinking about going out to Boston again next year, which is something I would like to do again.  Cody I'll be interested to here how your Colorado Marathon goes.  I wouldn't mind doing a marathon in Colorado since that is where I grew up running.

St. George will NEVER give prize money - (unless it is for the $1 mill world record time - right Haydo!) - although the race is very well organized and there are a couple people who now work on it that actually are runners (okay, maybe just one), when it all comes down to it SGM thinks it can survive forever on its rep and beauty alone, caring mostly about the weekend warrior and not the next levels - which is very possibly true.  But they will NEVER give prize money... NEVER!

Speaking of prize money - is Utah Valley offering a top prize this year?  I think I remember talk of it going three deep this year...?

I looked on their website the other day. It does go 3 deep, something like $750, $500, $250.

It also moved to June this year, and was well run last year despite a few problems and not having much to do it off of. So this year I'd expect even better things. Even Miss Utah ran it (3:24).

Didn't Miss Utah also run Des News recently? The full marathon should definitely be an event for Miss America pageants. Could you imagine?  :D

I think so, and she was the first female at the first Afghanistan marathon, too. She's Army Strong.

Does this make TOU the biggest money race in all of Utah now?

As of last year, SLC Marathon gave $5000 to first place.

also, DesNews marathon gives 2000 plus the year; last year $2008 for first place. who knows if that will hold for this year. that race seems to be getting smaller every year.

SLC marathon website has just been updated with this year's prize purse (beware: BUDGET CUTS)

1 - $2,500
2 - $1,500
3 - $500
4 - $250
5 - $100

plus a $2,500 bonus for a 2:15 (male) and 2:30 (female)

looks like the days of 5 grand are over.

Not surprising given both the failure of the race and poor economy (which affects sponsorships). For SLC's first year, the 1st place was $10,000, but that didn't last long. It was supposed to become a major marathon, but it's shrunk almost every year. Still, $2500 is a good pot, and the decrease will benefit local runners.

SG usually always leaves a bad taste in my mouth.   I have only done TOU once but liked it.

Even before I read this my plan was "IF", and that is a big if, I'm doing a marathon this year it would be TOU. I had a great experience with the race directors in '06 even though I didn't run. I had a great experience with Jon, Paul, Logan, and the rest of the crew in '07. For its size, I think it is a well run race. Even though the last miles are not ideal with all the turns etc. that made for some good opportunity for family support. It is a fast course. I just hope that when the times comes I can join you 2:30-2:40 guys going after the table scraps...  ;)

Are you sure about that flyer for TOU Marathon?  I just looked at the website and it says $1000, 500, 250 for top 3, that's it.  Maybe their website is outdated or you were looking at another race?

Yes, dead sure. The internet is full of lies.

Yes, I received the flyer, too.  They are often slow about updating their website.  The flyer specifically highlighted the new money.

I called the race director for TOU and they confirmed your flyer report, except 4th gets $500.  Thanks for letting us all know! 

I think I got 5th in the very first TOU. Can I get $250 retroactively?

Yes, except it would only be worth $100 now due to inflation.  Or, if you had taken it and invested in the stock market, it would be worth about $3.  And that is assuming you were smart enough to dollar cost average.

Also, the TOU expo and dinner will be at the new conference center...thank goodness! No more Copper Mill. Sometimes it's nice to rub elbows with people, but only figuratively, not literally.

I doubt it will attract more competition outside of Utah. No Kenyan or uber elite American is going to come run a downhill marathon in Logan for $1500.

Actually, there are usually 2 Kenyans each year to add some nice competition- usually 2:20-2:25 guys.  Keeps everyone honest.  The race with no Kenyans is St. George, due to no prize money.  Granted, $1500 isn't a lot if you're running for a living, and 2:20 isn't amazing, but it's still nice to see the added competition.

For a Keynan $1500 potential per marathon win is enough to decide to run for a living. Those guys manage to live off essentially nothing while here in the US, and $1000 is a lot of money in Kenya.