Doug Freese wrote:
> "Dot" <dot.h@#duh?att.net> wrote in message
> news:[email protected]...
>
>>One thing with the documentaries, esp. covering the whole field on an
>>ultra, they're most likely to have the cameras where they can get
>>ready access. Which means you see the aid stations and a little bit
>>more rather than the bulk of the trail. This is why I really
>>appreciate the photos taken by some of the runners out there that
>>capture the race and the environment, not just the aid stations.
>
>
> I don't know if you remember or were interested but the WS100 at one
> time was filmed each year and shown during the off season of major
> sports by ABC, Wide World of Sports.
Hmmm, the last time I watched Wide World of Sports was likely in the 60s
(as in high school). Spent most of the 70s without tv at all. IIRC, it
comes on Sat afternoon, and I never remember to turn the tv on - even
when I know IMH is on. ABC reception is pretty crumby where I am also.
Actually, I'm not much of a watcher - either tv or movies. I *do* try to
remember to turn the local news on the Sat evenings of the big mtn races
since they frequently have some decent shots. But don't always remember
that either. I'm better during the Olympics - actually, it's hard to
miss them then.
And of course, the Iditarod is hard to miss.
Way back I was dotted through
> friendship to Roone Arledge the head of ABC. I can remember the first
> time I watched the race on TV thinking that was some neat stuff. I was
> not running a step at the time but intrigued nonetheless. I guess you
> can say the seed was planted a long time ago.
Funny how some things influence us. My first encounter with running
(other than seeing Olympics on tv) was on the scree slope of some 14'er
in CO (early 70s, somewhere near the Maroon Bells) when the guy that was
leading the hike mentioned that people run these mountains - as we were
breathless and trying to balance / make progress on loose scree. Of
course, until I started running "a little bit more" about 5 yr ago, I
was unaware there were marathons besides Boston although I was aware of
a local 5k at STate Fair time since it affected traffic. Just knowing of
the existence of races (other than hs, college, olympics) was an eye opener.
>
> Anyway I can remember saying how I enjoyed the event but somewhat
> disappointed at the sporadic filming. Remember I knew nada about
> running much less trail running. So they carefully explained how
> difficult which equated to expensive to tape the event which so few
> access points using helicopters etc. No surprise, the expense vs. the
> few crazies that watched the show and it went the way of the dodo dodo
> bird.
That's too bad. I think many sports are hard to capture on screen, esp.
by people just popping in occasional spots - and maybe not understanding
the sport. AFAIK, the Italian film crews drove the whole ITI route by
snowmachine, although they might have assists somewhere. I do know
Iditarod tv crews do fly from checkpoint to checkpoint. I'd like to see
the Italian coverage since I've been told that ultras and mountain
running are much more popular there than here so they may have a better
grasp. I mean they own the WMRT team championship for all the years it's
been run, I think.
>
> Back then Jim King was the hot runner. A little history as it was
> explained to me. King was a real religious guy and had a "flock" of
> people at every aid station waiting on him hand and foot. Like it or not
> perfectly legal even today. You can have as many in your crew as you
> like unless a race places some limitations usually for access space.
> What people did not know until the helicopters filmed him running, was
> the fact he had people every few miles stashed in the woods handing him
> food and drink. Some people thought he was part camel because he ran
> without even a water bottle. After that was caught on camera they passed
> the King rule that you can only take aid at aid stations. To this day,
> this rule is still in effect in just about every race less maybe
> Badwater where you must have a crew and they can service you every inch
> of the 135 miles - an obvious safety factor considering the extreme
> heat.
Thanks. That's interesting since something similar used to occur on the
Iditarod - and a rule was implemented. Checkpoints are villages, and
some mushers were getting assistance from villagers. Also, I think you
had alluded to this a couple years ago, but some competitors are focused
on fastest time, and if there's no rule against it, they may do
whatever. This can be an issue on low-key events where there's no aid,
but someone could have a friend bike some water in.
And YES - it SNOWED, finally!! Not as much as forecast (they were
predicting the "perfect" storm), but probably got 8 inches to run in
today. It's always less once I get to the single track because of the
tree canopy. That was the first decent snowshoe run since early Dec -
well, make that a run / walk, but at least I didn't have to pick my way
around ice patches, although they were still evident.
Dot
--
"So many people get stuck in the routine of life that their dreams waste
away. This is about living the dream." - Cave Dog
