Posted by ernie beach on November 16, 2005 at 11:06:08:
In Reply to: Just A Thought posted by Michael Tobin on November 14, 2005 at 18:53:11:
...In the last few years almost anyone can gain entry into the larger marathons, including races that require time standards. There are many charities that have running teams that are always looking for partipants. The only requirement is the monetary contribution. In the past when apporoached for assistance I have suggested this to others. I have also stated that I would think the local running club's members would most likely be happy to contribute for the cause. I don't know why there appears to be animosity among local running clubs or runners on Staten Island. I can understand different people running for different clubs but this should be for the interest of fun and healthy competition. If memebers leave for one club for another...well that's great if that's what they want. I do think that the clubs should support each other's races and each other. That has not been the case and I can't figure this out. If people(certain members) are disgruntled then remember, what you put into the club just may be what you get out of it. Some members I know leave running club's and talk about others without even knowing them. We've all heard the nonsense I'm sure. When I was in charge there was one member who was criticizing the direction our club was taking. During those two years that person never attended one meeting, never gave one suggestion or assisted in any events. How about we have running in common and want to do well and show NYC and NJ and others that Staten Island has someting going for it. Wouldn't it be a great idea that if for one race even, the runners could have a cause that everyone shares and contribute together? If someone wishes to run a marathon or something else and wants to help others in doing so then let's help out. This is the way it should be done. By breaking rules and diminishing the others that train daily and work hard to achieve
their goals is not something I would label a nice gesture. If someone finishes first or last, the results should be accurate and true. Maybe on Staten Island (where we are one of the largest cities in America) we can run and enjoy the sport together. September 11th was not long ago. Didn't everyone grieve together? What happenned? We were together then and now it's the same old nonsense. Let's show up at Lou Marli Day on Thanksgiving and run. I'm done. Thanks.