Discussion: classic champs
in: PG; PG > 2014-08-10
Aug 11, 2014 7:48 AM
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Lately I've been thinking that the classic champs would make a great age group championships event. Make SML ("Nationals") a sort of 'elite' event, with just M/F-21+, and the Classic Champs for all age groups (or just 35+?). I don't know if people would like that but it appeals to my brain.
Aug 11, 2014 10:58 AM
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For the majority of categories there isn't much differentiation between M and L in a S,M,L weekend here in North America.
Often ends up bring the same winners. All three events are interval start too so often long start draws.
Plus the word 'Long' may do a disservice to our sport with participants from AR or trail running. "3.2km is Long?" a friend asked at a recent race.
Also (and perhaps most importantly) many times the sprint is 'compromised' and held in forest near the middle to keep travel to a minimum.
I've started to think that it makes more sense to split championships between urban and terrain. Have a sprint weekend that includes the normal sprint distance. Have a longer race similar to those urban races in UK and perhaps squeeze in an urban mixed relay. That might be attractive enough to get some strong road runners to consider doing that champs.
Then for terrain champs have a two day race with middle on day #1 determining the chase start order for the day#2 pursuit (long). Races could be called 'time trial' and 'pursuit' and Winning times adjusted to suit what is most popular for each age group.
Awards could be given for each day or just overall. The advantage for awards for the 'time trial' is that with a winning time of 30 minutes age groupers from 17-45 could all be on the same course. Only the 'pursuit' would have different lengths where age becomes perhaps more of a factor. So that means some age groups might have something closer to the former two day classic format (actually more similar to old skool Troll Cup - always a fave of mine so pity it conflicts with Raid the Hammer this year).
Of course this format would go against rules, would raise questions by the allmighty rankings list, etc etc but would also likely be: a) easier to market, b) easier to host, c) provide opportunity for a true urban O weekend, and d) make the terrain (or is that XC?) weekend have more variety and provide an 'overall' champion without silly points systems (ie US Outdated TT system)
Often ends up bring the same winners. All three events are interval start too so often long start draws.
Plus the word 'Long' may do a disservice to our sport with participants from AR or trail running. "3.2km is Long?" a friend asked at a recent race.
Also (and perhaps most importantly) many times the sprint is 'compromised' and held in forest near the middle to keep travel to a minimum.
I've started to think that it makes more sense to split championships between urban and terrain. Have a sprint weekend that includes the normal sprint distance. Have a longer race similar to those urban races in UK and perhaps squeeze in an urban mixed relay. That might be attractive enough to get some strong road runners to consider doing that champs.
Then for terrain champs have a two day race with middle on day #1 determining the chase start order for the day#2 pursuit (long). Races could be called 'time trial' and 'pursuit' and Winning times adjusted to suit what is most popular for each age group.
Awards could be given for each day or just overall. The advantage for awards for the 'time trial' is that with a winning time of 30 minutes age groupers from 17-45 could all be on the same course. Only the 'pursuit' would have different lengths where age becomes perhaps more of a factor. So that means some age groups might have something closer to the former two day classic format (actually more similar to old skool Troll Cup - always a fave of mine so pity it conflicts with Raid the Hammer this year).
Of course this format would go against rules, would raise questions by the allmighty rankings list, etc etc but would also likely be: a) easier to market, b) easier to host, c) provide opportunity for a true urban O weekend, and d) make the terrain (or is that XC?) weekend have more variety and provide an 'overall' champion without silly points systems (ie US Outdated TT system)
This discussion thread is closed.