I support this petition, fastest time is the winner. While she didn't run with the Elite group, she still pulled the fastest time even though she started with the pack, a disadvantage that the elite group didn't have.
I support this petition. I'm confused by this ""The theory is that, because they had separate starts, they weren't in the same race," Estes said. "The woman who is winning the elite field doesn't have the opportunity to know she was racing someone else."
How do you run a marathon and not realize you're racing someone else? Besides, you should race yourself and if the best you can do is bested by someone else; they should win.
I support this petition. I know NIKE prides themselves on empowering all people and this race especially emphasizes women. I hope that they can see fit to do what is fair and just. As you all say at NIKE...Just do it!
I support this petition. Please award Arien O'Connell a first-place finish in your race, and re-consider your requirements for "elite" runners; as well as the notion of having separate gun times for the "same race" (which is, in fact, TWO different races). There should be two fields with separate winning groups for EACH when there is a 20-minute difference in gun times!!!
NIKE, you blew it...lets get it straight. O'Connell won the marathon starting ~ 20min later. SHE is the WINNER OF THE MARATHON..end of story..
Scott Ferris, marathoner
I support this petition. Am I missing something? Arien ran the same course as the "Elite" runners albeit she started 20 minutes later than they did. However, more impressively, she whittled that time differential down from 20 minutes to 9 minutes by the time she crossed the finish line. What, did the "Elite" runners all stop for a latte at the "Elite" runners watering hole?! Give me a break!! Unless the race course was radically altered during the intervening 20 minute period, it is quite obvious that Arien is and was the winner. Nike is blowing a "huge" marketing opportunity. Instead of following along with their tag line of "Just Do It" and celebrating this runner who came out of nowhere to win this celebrated marathon, they risk losing her to American Express and their tagline (if I may improvise) "defeating Nike's handpicked "Elite" runners in the Nike Women's Marathon - "PRICELESS". Congratulations Arien!!!
I support this petition. Ariene O'Connell should be awarded first place for outstanding race performance at the Nike Women's Marathon.
As a coach on behalf of USA Track and Field, USA Cycling, and USA Triathlon, I've seen pro triahtlete's return as age group racers after a year or two off, only to claim first in the field. Moreover, I have met and seen many age group racers who do not consider themselves "ELITE", yet they have the makings of an "ELITE" racer, i.e. fast finish times comprible to pro times. Finally, the term "ELITE" is loosely defined from one race to another.
Perhaps, race rules need to clarify "who and "ELITE" runner is and the qualifications or Disqualifications". Additonally, has Ariene O'Connell races as an ELITE?
I support this petition because I believe if you have the fastest time you are the winner. It is pretty simple. Take your own slogany advice and "just do it".
I support this petition. I thought Nike endorsed and stood for good sportsmanship and ethical conduct. Clearly there can only be one winner and that winner should be the one with the best time and that's Arien O'Connell. To declare anyone else the winner certainly oversteps the boundries of ethical sportmanship. Nike you've got alot more to lose in this one than a few customers you've got a reputation at stake.
I support this petition.I ran in this race. The rules need to be more clear from the beginning and if there are "two different races" then there should be two different award categories. The "elite" runners even had a significant advantage from not having to run in the huge crowd.
