cash prizes for record breaking rows

Yankeerunner · Post by **Yankeerunner** » January 26th, 2007, 2:14 pm

I'm OK with it, although not necessarily in favor of it.

I have mixed feelings in that it seems to me that once the bucks entered long distance running it began a downward spiral in American distance running, while simutaneously attracting good foreign runners to the USA to cash in. Top American distance runners today, down some 10, 25 and 50 deep on the lists of top annual times tend to be slower than just before money was introduced some 20-25 years ago, not better.

On the other hand, the equivalent of big bucks get handed out to "amateur" athletes in the major colleges without diminishing the competitive fires. At the moment I have just started paying for my son's college career. More than $15,000.00 already for the first semester. His two-year program will cost over $60K. I'd guess that a lot of 4-year programs will cost the parents and students over $120K. Getting that paid for because someone can pull an oar, or play football or basketball, or some other sport very well is no small financial reward. It's been that way for a long time and hasn't caused the same deterioration that long distance running has gone through.

Rick

PaulS · Post by **PaulS** » January 26th, 2007, 3:17 pm

I wonder if it will do much at all in the indoor rowing realm. I think there was an offer of $10k for several years to anyone who could break the 500m record set by Leo Young, there were various conditions that had to be met from what I recall. The problem with the challenge was that the "WR" of 1:10.5 was done on a Mod B with a PM1, and the challengers were presumably to be using the newer PM2 (probably on a Model C), and due to inherent differences in the PM's, the challenge was not fair, and to my knowlege, no one ever gave it a public try. Don't get me wrong, the PM1 1:10.5 500m, still required a huge power outlay, but it still has several seconds advantage over the updated PM's, which is A LOT in that power range.

I like the idea of the "Dash for cash" that Krysta mentioned, I could see that being done for M, LM, W, and LW but no age categories. Basically keeping it fun. It could also be run on a particular set of Ergs ongoing throughout the day with the "Top Time" displayed. I'd make it open to everyone attending the event, spectators included. I would reduce the distance to 300m to keep turnover rapid.

Anders · Post by **Anders** » January 26th, 2007, 7:24 pm

There have been prices at ergohead for several years: 1000€ for breaking the 6K record (about 11-1200$): amstelroei.nl/site/?ID=95.
Mads Rasmussen and Juliane Elander have been going there for the last 3 years peeling a few seconds off every year.