considered the premier national model for other youth programs. JUST RUN, which started just 2 years ago in Monterey County, now has over 5,000 children involved, and groups in 15 California counties, 12 states, and 2 foreign countries. The conference theme this year was "20 in 10", which is a challenge that was presented in the keynote speech by Basil Honikman, outgoing CEO of Running USA. The industry was challenged to increase the number of race finishers in United States races to 20 million within 10 years. The goal is ambitious as there were less than 9 million race finishers in 2007. These 9 million finishers represent approximately 4 million unique runners, as some finish multiple races. Doubling the number of race finishers would have simultaneous benefits: increasing the health and well being of the U.S. population, while significantly improving the businesses of the races and companies in the industry. There are 12 million runners in the United States that run at least twice a week but only 4 million of those enter races. The most popular race distance in 2007 was the 5K with about 3.5 million finishers, followed by the 10K with 1 million, and the marathon with 520,000. In the two days of the conference many ideas were presented to reach this goal; more events for the first timer and the reticent, more national promotion and TV and media coverage, more fun in events, creation of tounaments and running leagues, reaching out to minority members (only 2% of race finishers are people of color), and more youth programs and races. Many speakers said the sport needs recognizable heroes and stars. One interesting group of statistics was presented by Andy Hersam, the publisher of Runner's World magazine; with 650,000 subscribers it has the largest subscriber base of any Running publication. Runner's World surveys indicate that 28 million people in the U.S say they at least run occasionally. Of these, 19 million are married but 14 million of their spouses don't share the habit — they DON'T run. Also there are 35 million family members that don't run. Therefore, the easiest route to making "20 in 10" actually happen lies in each runner's home, and in finding a way to get spouses and children out running and entering races. There should be more races for kids. As Wally Kastner said in his induction speech, "I am convinced runners can save the world." Dave McGillivary the Boston Marathon race director says that when people ask him what he does for a living he says, "I raise the self esteem and self confidence of thousands of people each April." The Saucony shoe company corporate saying is now, "A good day is when you get to run. A Great day is when you inspire others to run". So the message we're delivering from the Running USA conference to all our running friends is to share the gift you already have. Give it to your spouse and family and friends as well. [END]I am asked, "Lance, why are you so hard on Tony Reed & the National Black Marathoners' Association ?" - My answer, reason No. 83, Here is a list of the array of members of Running USA, you will recognize lots of entities on that list [non-profits & for profit entities]. These entities are woven into the fabric of running in America. Question: Why is it that the National Black Marathoners' Association are not members of Running USA? Could someone ask Tony Reed that? I know the answer is because they lack the vision to strategically align and benefit by being enfranchised in America's running culture - and are basically clueless - a rudderless ship (unless it points to Tony Reed) - for the benefit of their very own members (in sum they're poor in organizational dynamism). Tony Reed & that organization are a FRAUD and not part of anything that's legitimate. That worse part of this illustration? The Black Marathoners will actually take pride in not being part of the whole - they'll make excuses and deny they are missing out on a myriad of valuable benefits for their members...blah blah blah....defend the incompetence of Tony Reed on matters running, marathoning, and organization building....at all cost..... they will actually herald what is in sum their "self ghetto-izing insular culture". This is reason No. 83 on why I criticize Tony Reed & the National Black Marathoners' Association. Have a terrific day!
3 Comments:
Hee, hee! The annual $250 fee to belong to Running USA represents 25% of their outlay for the two $500 scholarships they provide on an annual basis so maybe it's too much coin for them to swing.
Either that or they're not really committed to national black marathoning and are a fraudulent organization existing for the sole purpose of promoting Tony Reed, CPA, PMP, and his book.
Take your pick!
Thanks Richard,
you make a valid point...something Lance is incapable of. My guess is Lance was missing all those comments generated, in the past, from bashing Tony & NBMA. Remember truth, validity, relevance, and integrity mean nothing to Lance. He simply does not process information in a healthy matter. I understand your comment was for benefit of his subscribers and so is mine. So lets keep up the boycott on responding to Lance regarding anything about NBMA & Tony. Silence speaks louder that words.
SilenceIsGolden
Richard, your response is valid, point taken - but nonetheless it speaks to & further illustrates the failure of leadership and dynamism of Tony Reed & The NBMA.
Example: Sugoi & Saucony are members. Sugoi makes some of the best running clothing in the world, Saucony makes fantastic shoes. They both sponsor running clubs all over the U.S. - and Tony Reed & the NBMA could too benefit from being sponsored by these 2 companies as are other running clubs. Alliances start at weekend conferences, etc., talking, over dinner, a drink, whatever - you know the deal, you shmooze, network - you make yourself known and pivotal to corporate interest.
It's about rubbing shoulders and positioning yourself to have face to face access with decision makers. That's why every industry has conferences - bringing together the entities that make the collective industry itself.
A face to face, shaking hands, actual physical presence is what's effective in forging an indelible impression and having your agenda served. Your point about their scholarships of $1K is so so small thinking, it's a typical old business model, predictable, and embarrassing - sad to see them take pride in something so small, when they have such big potential. They're missing it.
I've never seen Tony Reed & the NBMA reveal a scintilla of strategic or dynamic vision. Not a trace. The proof is herein. Asics & Nike are also memnbers - and Tony Reed & the NBMA, if they played their cards right - could not only get sponsorship for themselves and benefits therein for their members - the could get Asics & Nike to offer scholarships jointly (in the name of Nike & the NBMA) for example to deserving students as defined by the NMBA. The sky is the limit on the pontential size of the scholarships but one thing is for sure, $1,000 is NOTHING compared to the checks (for scholarships) that could have been written by members of that Conference Tony Reed should have been at. I ask you Richard, how big of a check for scholarships could a little company called Nike potentially write? And Asics? Well they were at the conference, Tony Reed and the NBMA make it their business to NOT be strategically even positioned to be dynamic. Yes, they should have taken that $1K in scholarships and made an investment in their future with it, to have a much great impact.
Richard, it's time to stop the nonsense - you've made a noble effort in advocating a countering voice, I can appreciate that, kudos - however at the end of the day no one can justify or legitimize how it's actually positive for the NBMA to not value convening with the running world and industry.
Your point amounted to spirited diversion from the point. The NBMA would be far far far better off NOT GIVING that $1K in scholarships to students this year, taking that money, being at the conference - with the idea being that Tony Reed or someone returns from the conference with the NBMA and it's charter FUNDED and ALIGNED. (Funded meaning Tony Reed got Reebok to fund $10,000 in scholarships in the name of the NBMA to students meriting meeting their criteria, etc.). Thinking big Richard, thinking big. It's all possible - however it takes vision, talent, skill, and smart people at the top.
When you look at that list you see lots of corporations that make it a matter of their goal to sponsor running clubs (Powerbar for example). Hell Brooks makes great shoes - they sponsor a running club here in NYC, and have some note in the "Hanson-Brooks" running club.
Tony Reed & the NBMA miss out on all this - why? They fail to align with the industry, they take pride in being ghetto-ized - it's all really a shame and the poor members of the NBMA have no idea of all their missing.
Go to the NYRR website and take a look at all the member services and discounts I receive as a member of the NYRR. Hell just this silly blog alone results in me being sent all sorts of unsolicited running gear, stuff - in hopes I talk about it and publicize.
Look, I don't expect the NBMA to change on a dime, but they have got to start heading in that direction, and be more than about Tony Reed for crissakes - otherwise it's all a collective embarrassment and joke, and well documented to be so on Harlem 26.2 - exposed to the world by search engines everywhere.
Richard, as I rip them on the regular - all well deserved - I also give them lots of free consulting - let's not act like I leave them with no ideas - not the case.
You're a fair voice Richard - you will concede I've given them all sorts of tips and insights on how to grow in the many ways. Here's another freebie they could have exercised and executed on had they gone to the Conference they take pride in not being part of.
Grow the organization? You don't do that by having a Yahoo Group - again - screw that - you strategically align in already existing social forums.
Hence you go to Coolruning.com, you go to Athlinks.com, Letsrun, Runnersweb, etc. and establish your "African American" runners forums in those already existing places. You go to where the runners are, what's do god damn hard to see and figure out about that? Do they do that? No? Why? They're the Church of Tony Reed, that's all. If you want to facebook & myspace it, whatever - but that's where you do it, that's how in 30 days or 90 days quadruple your membership, make yourself more viable and attractive to the major sponsors, etc.
Again, more free strategic planning for my Brothas and Sistahs - what will they do with it?
Post a Comment