Pre Classic 2005

[KEL]

TJ,

As one who's enjoyed numerous Pre Classics over the years, I have some questions about this year’s event.

Are you sure there is that much interest in the two mile event, verses the 5K, amongst the elite runners?
Since you are not having women’s pole vault this year, why not another field event for women?
Are you going to have one of the jumping events on the east side of the stadium for us diehards who enjoy that side of the field?

Thanks TJ, for all the great Pre Classics over the years.

[Guest]

Re: Pre Classic 2005

The indication I get is that the athletes would enjoy a break from the usual 3k/5k options. Think about it. The unusual distance gives the competitors a certain amount of freedom. More than usual, they can just get in the race and RACE! It also can draw the long milers and the short distance men (such as Shaheen).

Would love to add another women's field event, but two things. Each event costs approximately $17,500 to stage, between prize money, travel, and hotel/meals. Second, we only have events that have the best in the world. That's why this year's field events for women, the HJ and LJ, will have the Olympic gold medalists in each (don't tell anyone...this is a bonus for reading the T&FN message board). If we could get the Oly gold medalists in PV, SP, DT, etc., we would consider having those event.

It's likely that both horizontal jumps will be on the west side for two reasons: first, the lighting is better for TV, and second, the men's PV field will be very large, and will be contested during the entire 2.5 hours of the meet on the East side. I'm afraid the women's LJ or men's TJ would get lost on the East side.

Finally, I've been the meet director for 21 years, and I guarantee you, no Prefontaine Classic fields have ever remotely approached what you will see on June 4th. If you can possibly make the meet, I suggest you do so. If you are the kind of person who would drive all night to the Kentucky Relays, or sleep on a friend's floor to watch what is now the USATF Championships, or live in Munich for the 4 months prior to the Olympic Games, I'm talking to you. Don't miss this meet.

[trackhead]

Re: Pre Classic 2005

TJ,

You're tempting me to make the drive...

[KEL]

Re: Pre Classic 2005

Tom,

I've already got my tickets. If I can at all, the Pre is a must see every year for me .
Hayward field is the best place in the country to watch a meet and there are no better T&F crowds!!!

[gh]

Re: Pre Classic 2005

>TJ,

As one who's enjoyed numerous Pre Classics over the years, I have some
>questions about this year’s event.

Are you sure there is that much interest
>in the two mile event, verses the 5K, amongst the elite runners?>>

Not to speak for Tom, but I hope that most meet directors ignore (or at least try to re-orient) elite runners as to what they want in favor of what the PUBLIC wants. Fortunately, most athletes are smart enough to realize that whatever they do that's good for ticket sales eventually effects--positively--their bottom line.

[26mi235]

Re: Pre Classic 2005

I just want to voice my appreciation for the great effort and great results the TJ has had in bringing quality meets to the US.

[Guest]

Re: Pre Classic 2005

Thanks for the nice compliments. However, the man most responsible for the outstanding fields we've had at the Pre Classic over the past 10 years is John Capriotti of Nike. Any list of the 10 most important individuals in the sport has to include Cap. (Who by the way, I believe still ranks on the all-time Illinois HS CC list!)