Posted by ryan woerner on March 14, 2007 at 13:56:16:
Ernie, Flash, Alma, and Marty all made valid points. The idea of teamwork made by Ernie really stuck with me though. Although many local races have changed and gotten less popular, there is one race that since the mid 1980's actually gotten more competitive- the NYRRC Club Champs. The times from 1987 and 2006 are actually quite comparable, with the 2006 times being slightly faster. This shows that there are still great runners in New Yoerk City, just different types. Most of the top finishers in the NYRRC races, especially the Club Champs, are of African or Hispanic descent. The demographic that has stopped running is of the middle class and white variety. Most local races, held in suburbs where these people live, are less attended, while the races in the cities, where there is a greater population of minorities , are still well attended and for the most part competitive. Soem may argue that NYRRC races are more competitive simply because the organization is very popular, however, I encourage all of you to check out the NYRRC Race Results Archive in 1987 comparaed to this year and last year. You will see an interesting pattern in the last names of the top 100 finishers for most oif the big races (Club Champs, etc.). Take the Prospect Park Turkey Trot for instance. This is a local race held in the neighborhood of Park Slope Brooklyn. In 1987, 115 runners broke the 30 minute barrier for 5 miles. In 2006, only 18 runenrs broke 30 for the 5 miles. In 1987 those runners in the top 115 were from the area.