Let’sRun quoted me as noting that CGI spent approximately $475,000 US on elite support. I believe that, with more current information, I was under estimating the support. More accurate estimates are $1 million US on elite support in past year.
CGI is a for profit business. It’s success rises and falls with the support of its core consumer. For a capitalist society, the true power lies with the consumer. Don’t like a product? Don’t buy it! Don’t like a store or event? Don’t support it. It is that simple.
For the hundreds of thousands of runners who support CGI events, that is their ultimate power. CGI provides a service that is acceptable to the consumer in running, or they would not attend.
RunBlogRun loves the diversity in our sport, from local 5ks to cross country invitationals to all comers track meets to 40,000 in the RNR San Diego Marathon and half marathon. There are places for all in the sport.
The question was asked to me by an Olympic medalist, after hearing about CGI’s decision: ” Why do the Federations allow just anyone to put on races and events in our sport? It would not happen in any other activity in the world. Our sport and activity should not all be about profit, there has to be some support of the greater meaning of athletics.”
Enough said.