12 replies to this topic

[freakyfeet_86]

Why is there no half marathon at the olympics or commonwealth games? Is there a specific reason for its non inclusion, and how would one go about getting it listed for future games??

Edited by freakyfeet_86, 16 August 2008 - 09:42 AM.

[Bellthorpe]

  OK, I'll bite.
  
  Why should the HM be included?

[Rabbits]

As a runner I think a half is a great distance but I can think of a few reasons why it's not on the program for the major championships.

The main contenders for the half would often be the same athletes that are competing in either the 10k or marathon which means they would be forced to make a choice as it's hard to see anyone being able to recover fast enough to compete in both at the top level within a week. Swimmers can back-up quickly after heats and finals meaning they can easily compete in multiple events (therefore winning a squillion medals). Personally I'd still rather see all the top runners being forced to compete against each other in the marathon or 10k rather than winning a gold against a potentially weakened field in the half marathon. Are we ever likely to see anyone that can back-up within a week to win a half marathon gold and then a marathon gold a week later... THAT would be impressive!!

However, if the half was given more importance then we might see some runners emerge as specialist half runners which might give it more credibility as a stand alone event.

The Commonwealth Games may be a good place for a sporting body to trial something like this and it would be interesting to see how it would affect the marathon fields which has always been the showpiece of distance running.

Perhaps you just have to step up to the Marathon FreakyFeet... just kidding!  

[Rudolf]

halfmarathon has no history, it is very recent race distance.

Marathon distance was created by the lazy disturbed influencial family at 42,195 metres and become unfortunately tradition and accepted.

T&F world champuionships have long tradition in staging mens marathon distance and the track 10,000m distance but nothing in between.


Than later there was separate event called world championship in road run, usually at 25km distance.

That used to be very popular and logical distance for decades.

The invention of halfmatrathons came with popularity of road marathon for running masses and for massive business for organizers and sponsors. There were thousands of potential ryunners willing to pay ridiculous entry fees and participate, however not ready for the silly 42,195 distance so the invention - half was created.

It later become also favorite distance for elite road runners as racing training sessions, later big prize and appearance money come to half as well.

There were few half organized as road championships instead of former 25km, which is unfortunate.

As said above half would be just diluting the quality of the field, as nobody would backup for the half and full in a week.


On teh other hand doubling of 800/1500 does not seems to be a problem to anybody or doubling of 5/10km as another example.

similarly the hammerthrow is just diluting the field in womens pole vault  

[freakyfeet_86]

Thanks for your thoughts everyone, the reason i asked is that for me personally I am not a track runner, and so making the olympics for 10000m would be unrealistic, however i am not yet a marathon runner and not sure if my body will ever let me be. So the half marathon seems the perfect distance, i disagree that the 10,000m runners would be the same athletes in half marathon, as its a totally different type of race. Also, marathon runners would not necessarily be half marathon specialists either. I just think the gap in distance between 10000m and 42km is very large and would be nicely filled with the half.

also, if i was to try get in included in the commonwelath games (as suggested) who would i appeal too?

[Bellthorpe]

freakyfeet_86, on Aug 16 2008, 06:28 PM, said:

i disagree that the 10,000m runners would be the same athletes in half marathon, as its a totally different type of race.

  
  So you haven't looked at the history of most race winners?
  
  

Quote

also, if i was to try get in included in the commonwelath games (as suggested) who would i appeal too?

  
  No one. Learn to choose battles you can win.

[Paul Every]

freakyfeet_86, on Aug 16 2008, 06:28 PM, said:

also, if i was to try get in included in the commonwelath games (as suggested) who would i appeal too?

Jesus, presumably.

Freaky, if the half were to be included in the athletics program at the Olympics, I believe athletics would have to drop another event to make room for it. This is what has happened with cycling, as newer disciplines such as mountain biking and BMX have been introduced, other events such as the madison or team time trial have been dropped.

[Paul Every]

Whoops. Double post.

Edited by Paul Every, 16 August 2008 - 07:53 PM.

[freakyfeet_86]

thats disapointing, hmm cross country running would be another great event to have too

[Rabbits]

freakyfeet_86, on Aug 16 2008, 06:28 PM, said:

Thanks for your thoughts everyone, the reason i asked is that for me personally I am not a track runner, and so making the olympics for 10000m would be unrealistic, however i am not yet a marathon runner and not sure if my body will ever let me be. So the half marathon seems the perfect distance, i disagree that the 10,000m runners would be the same athletes in half marathon, as its a totally different type of race. Also, marathon runners would not necessarily be half marathon specialists either. I just think the gap in distance between 10000m and 42km is very large and would be nicely filled with the half.

also, if i was to try get in included in the commonwelath games (as suggested) who would i appeal too?

Unfortunately I don't think it's possible for an individual to have much influence in having an event added to something as big as the Commonwealth Games. The World Road Running or Half Marathon Championships seem like a great event so that might be a good aim.

I agree that Cross Country would be a pretty cool addition to the Games but it's unlikely it will happen.

Good luck with everything.

[Tubby-]

Paul Every, on Aug 16 2008, 04:48 AM, said:

Freaky, if the half were to be included in the athletics program at the Olympics, I believe athletics would have to drop another event to make room for it.

There goes the 50km Walk

freakyfeet_86, on Aug 16 2008, 06:05 PM, said:

thats disapointing, hmm cross country running would be another great event to have too

And the 20km walk bites the dust as well

[glenda]

Cross country running used to be in the Olympics, back in the 1920's. I too think it would be cool to bring it back.

[Twopennys]

It was a conspiracy to stop Monas winning Olympic Gold!