Prize or not to prize, that is the question

Photograph Quiz:

Photo no. 27:- Why is this medal important? What aspect of racing pre WW1 does it typify? (See article below)

Dear Bloggie,

 I went to the annual Harbourne A.C. ‘5’ mile road race earlier this week (see tomorrow .. if I remember!) to watch my daughter race. We stayed for the presentation afterwards to pick up her award. No disrespect to the other athletes who didn’t turn up to collect their respective prizes as most had to go to work the next day, the travel home making it a long day. As a race organiser, an apology for non appearance at the award ceremony was always appreciated especially if the race sponsor was taking the trouble to dish out the prizes. But it got me thinking. So I found a darkened room. What do other countries do? And why do we give awards at road races. I told you earlier in our little tete-a-tete¹, didn’t I Blog, about the Irish who turn the whole event into a social occasion, free food and drinks being given out to competitors while the result sheet is being compiled. At least that used to be the situation, what it is now with their country’s financial problems, makes me wonder. The point I am trying to make is to question the whole idea of dishing out prizes. It used to be just the first three – plain and simple. Then along came the women. Then along came the Veterans before they metamorphosed into Masters. Then the number of finishers expanded .....  Many of the runners in road races who expect prizes happily compete for their club on the track in league races with no expectation of material reward. Many of the runners in road races compete in open track races with no expectation of reward. Many of the runners in road races compete over the cross country in the winter and get nowt. But get a bit of tarmac between the toes and there is a demand for goodie bags, t-shirts, freebies, prizes for each 5 year vet (sorry Masters) age category .. and woe betide a race organiser who doesn’t recognise the one legged over 90 geriatric age trudger  who for a five mile race takes about 45 minutes to get to the start line before the gun goes for the race! From my researches into the History of Athletic Development if the Coventry City Area I assume it is a quirk of athletic history. In years gone by, in the summer, prizes were given at handicap meeting to attract runners who spent the winter trailing over fields far and wide where  the winning team and individuals usually were awarded with an expensive gold or silver medallion courtesy of the local business man who had a philanthropic interest in the sport. The handicap meetings were mostly attached to fetes and galas; more athletes competing meant longer entertainment for the paying punters at the gate which in turn increased the income/profit for the organisers. Evolution such events meant an increasing number had a road race tacked on for good measure. In the 1960s, with the decline in handicap meetings and the birth of leagues, here there and everywhere, there was no need to give prizes. There was no crowd interest. There was no crowd! The handicap meetings died but the road races continued as a separate entity, soon to cater for the new breed of runner .. the jogger. Each road race organiser now strived for self gratification by trying to attract bigger and bigger fields with the added kudos attained if a classy field could also be sucked in; the latter enticed by cash incentives, first covertly under the table then openly presented. Uniquely, Rowheath Harriers organise a series of three races during the summer with a minimal entry fee and no prizes. The event does not seem to suffer in popularity as a result of such parsimony. It would be interested to see if others might attempt a similar approach although the Park Runs do seem to fulfil that criterion.

                                Colin

Ref: 1. Sorry Blog, I don’t know how to do those funny things that you stick on the word!! Perhaps you could tell me, if you know?