Too Many Races

Today we return to an uncertain weather forecast and may be dodging rain this afternoon. I hope you enjoyed the one week reprieve last week. I'll attempt 1/2 mile intervals tonight for the several of us who did 1/4 miles last week. For others, split up as appropriate.

While voluncheering at the "Mad Cow 5K" on Saturday morning, the organizer lamented the competing race in Manlius that same morning. That other race was the "Manlius Mile and Bryan's 'Grizzly' 5K" which I know was started a few years ago in memory of a young man who had died. I don't think they always overlap, but the way the weekends fell they did this year. It has to be frustrating for small races to do everything they can to build a following only to have other races crop up that draw people away. Perhaps there is still enough to go around but naively it does seem we're close to a saturation point locally? Especially with the the non-local race organizers now targeting Syracuse with their gimmick runs that are so well attended even though they typically cost twice what a local event does. I suppose with all the choices, it's a great time to be a runner? But, I do feel bad for the organizers whose audience keeps getting watered down. (At what point do small race organizers realize it would be wiser to pool their resources and their time and do meta-events that combine their causes and split the proceeds? That is probably a tough step because you lose the uniqueness of your event and your preferred location...so it may be years before the combining starts?)

Personally, the Mad Cow event was a big success. There are several more cow hats and cow bells in the local community and I was able to donate a cool $60 to the cause - which was great for a couple hours of effort. :-)

Here is the little sheriff with the sales table in the background (you have to squint to see it):


And a shot of three-fourths of the sales team with the event mascot again:


This Friday night is the Lockheed Martin Family Night at the Syracuse Chiefs. I haven't heard back from anyone but I assume some of you want to attend like most years? It's free and there are post-game fireworks. Do I have to make a Facebook event to get peoples attention? (I may do that to help organize the very informal gathering we do.) The Chiefs are fighting for first place in their division and have 3 of the Washington Nationals top prospects playing for them. One of which was just called up last night and gives them two future major league outfielders playing for them right now. Both are "only" 23 so are doing very well for themselves to be playing at AAA right now. The good pitching prospect just started last night so we'll miss him by a couple games. As usual, there are a couple of former major leaguers hanging on to their playing years kicking around. Including at least one guy who has a world series ring from several years back now with my cherished Phillies. (From 2008.)

I think that's it for this week - I need more guest writers!