Match race at Mt. SAC

[Randy Treadway]

This morning's L.A. Times says that Mt. SAC Relays meet director Scott Davis is trying to put together a match race at Mt. SAC next April, with Kelli White, Marion Jones and Allyson Felix going head-to-head over 300 METERS.

One of Scott's arguments (according to the Times) is that matching them up at a non-standard distance would not jeapardize any of their earnings payoffs from their sponsors, so they wouldn't have anything to lose by giving it a shot, and plenty to gain if they set a world best time (and some bragging rights as well a couple of months before the Trials).

Whadda ya think?
Worth seeing?
What's the world best at 300 for women anyway?

I'd put money on Jones. She has a lot more experienced at 400 (relative to the other two), she seems to be more of a strength sprinter compared to the other two, and a lot of people say that female runners come back a lot stronger from pregnancy than they were beforehand.

[if the match race next April has already been discussed on this board, sorry- I'm a recent joiner]

[Guest]

Re: Match race at Mt. SAC

They should throw in one or two of the prime quarter milers to make it interesting.

I think a fit Marion would clean up the other two sprinters over 300, but with Guevara and Fenton thrown in, now that would be interesting.

Any thoughts?

[DentyCracker]

Re: Match race at Mt. SAC

Throw a fit Michele Collins into the mix and it's on

[Guest]

Re: Match race at Mt. SAC

"One of Scott's arguments (according to the Times) is that matching them up at a non-standard distance would not jeapardize any of their earnings payoffs from their sponsors, so they wouldn't have anything to lose by giving it a shot, and plenty to gain if
they set a world best time (and some bragging rights as well a couple of months before the Trials)."


If this is the primary reason for choosing to run 300m, then it is a terrible idea. What kind of message does this send to fans (or potential fans) of track and field? That it is acceptable for the best athletes to only compete against each other when:

a.) The money's right [I'm sure they will receive a hefty appearance fee.

b.) There's no risk of losing sponsorship because they're not really running the races they're paid to run.

c.) It's the nationals, olympics, etc... (when it really counts)

[6 5.5hjsteve]

Re: Match race at Mt. SAC

dumb/boring/of no significance come to mind.

particularly in an Olympic year it just becomes a meaningless exhibition at a meaningless distance. Wouldn't walk across the street to watch it.

I felt the same way about the Johnson/Bailey deal.

[Randy Treadway]

Re: Match race at Mt. SAC

I stand corrected. The Times didn't say Felix, it said Guevara.

Remember that Guevara drew a huge crowd to Carson a couple of months ago, and being in the same hispanic-friendly L.A. area I'm sure Scott has that in mind.

[Randy Treadway]

Re: Match race at Mt. SAC

The article says White, Jones and Guevara.

[Guest]

Re: Match race at Mt. SAC

I like it. This is the kind of creativity needed in the sport. Its an Olympic year and can bring attention to these athletes and the sport going into the Olympics. Being an odd distance it would also be a good training race for all involved.

It will either be Jones (if in condition) or Guevara. Unless Felix finds some quick improvement which she may, she doesn't stand a chance. But being local she would bring in some additional fans and attention as the new girl on the block.

I think match races can be a good idea. I would have loved to see El G and Geb go after a 3k. Or Micael Johnson and Kipketer over 600 meters.

The sport as it stands isn't doing much in the U.S. but if we can create some excitement with inovative ideas why not?

[Guest]

Re: Match race at Mt. SAC

As usual, Cyril is right. I've always been for a greater use of less-often run distances: 300, 600, 1000, 2000, etc. It's great to see athletes competing head to head who would otherwise never, or rarely, meet. And the more unusual the distance gets, the more important the sheer competition. And isnt' that what all those purists claim to want? I'm for it!

[Guest]

Re: Match race at Mt. SAC

It would be great it they could add Felix and Sanya Richards, however, Texas isn't usually at Mt. SAC.

[Guest]

Re: Match race at Mt. SAC

Agree with Steve. I go every year, it's fun to see Marion run her annual 400m. I should mention that the LA Times sports section has now lead with the Jerome Young affair 3 days in a row now, it's dominating the actual articles about the champs. Very depressing.

[Guest]

Re: Match race at Mt. SAC

Well it is stupid to keep talking about jerome's drug case. The case it is close and he's innocent. So I don't really see the need for these stupid publicity. They had to wait until he won the medal. Isn't that a bitch!!!! As far my understanding may drug errors can occur during drug testing analysis(false positves) By the way he is probably not the only one involed in this situation. They want somebody bigger than him.

[Guest]

Re: Match race at Mt. SAC

i agree that any idea that will bring positive attention to the sport is a great way to go. i think it is a distance a bit too much for white, but marion can handle it for sure. guevara by the way has the unofficial world record in this rarely run event and i think she would probably win. i am sure the two americans would not want to get injured before the trials and jeopardize their chances for the trials.
and by the way the la times is a communist piece of s newspaper so i really dont care for their coverage. really any newspaper is a waste of time nowdays with the internet.

[Guest]

Re: Match race at Mt. SAC

by the way the
>la times is a communist piece of s newspaper so i
>really dont care for their coverage. really any
>newspaper is a waste of time nowdays with the
>internet.

That's not the point. The average sports fan + parents are being exposed to messages that our sport is corrupt and full of drug use (mind you, I guess it is). The NFL and Baseball are full of druggies but get no where near the negative coverage T&F has got this week.

[Guest]

Re: Match race at Mt. SAC

Great idea! Wrong year. That would be a fun race to watch, especially with Guevara from Mexico and Jones a southern California girl. Jones has much better foot speed, but Guevara is so strong. White is doing well, but that distance is just too much for her against those two. How about Michelle Collins(400 runner with a huge indoor 200pr) if she is healthy and Allison Felix,Sanya Richards, along with Latasha Colander-Richardson(has great sprinting versatility,100-400H).It is just that in an Olympic year no one wants to get injured.