media

Sports broadcasters exposed

If you believe that all sports commentators know all the stats, narratives and historical race facts that they share during the broadcast memorized because of their sheer love of the sport...you should skip this post.

The Bank of America Chicago Marathon Media Guide book came in at 241 pages.

If you care to flip through the pages - the online version is available here.

The content was divided into eight sections:

2009 KEY FACTS
RESULTS & HISTORY
COURSE INFORMATION
ATHLETES
WORLD & US RECORDS
WORLD MARATHON MAJORS
CHARITIES & COMMUNITY
STAFF & SPONSORS

If a sports broadcaster wanted to relay how many international runners were competing in this year's race...that's on page 28* (and for every year since 1999).

Need to predict a finishing time at mile 5? at the half? Page 31*

How did the broadcasters know that Samuel (Sammy) Wanjiru would be the youngest Bank of America Chicago Marathon winner if he crossed the finish line first? Page 33*

Page 140* has a pronunciation guide for the 2009 elite athletes.

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Looking for a summary of historical race day weather info? Page 102*

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*Online Media Guide page numbers

So when it comes to press coverage for the sport of running - any media coverage is good coverage, right?

Not exactly.

Bryan Green of The Runner's Tribe wrote a Marathon Coverage Manifesto after being disgusted by the poor coverage and commentating of the London marathon in April 2009.

#1 on his list was be able to pronounce athletes' names...which he followed up with know which country athletes are from

#6 on his list was - have opinions

This is so important.

The stats are great and the narratives (also in the media guide) are wonderful to hear. The race organizers who put together comprehensive media guides should be congratulated. BUT - sports broadcasters need heart.

Running fans who were fed up by poor marathon commentating:

LetsRun

12:17 pm: Ok the post race interview with the women's winner is pretty funny. Larry Rawson just asked her something to the effect of, "At one point did you feel like you were going to win the race?" Uh. it was a sprint finish. Additionally, he just asked her something close to "Was this more important to you than finishin 10th in the Olymipcs?" Are you serious. Winning Boston or finishing 10th in the Olympics.