Supporting running in the metro Richmond area
Bye Bye Richmond Xterra Games???
Did anyone read the article in the Richmond Times Dispatch this morning concerning the X-terra Games? According to the article the X-terra may be cancelled this year because of a fee ($25K) that the hosting city is mandated to pay, and so far Richmond does not have the money to pay for it. Xterra is now requesting this fee from the host cities since it no longer has a corporate sponsor (formerly Nissan). Furthermore, out of all of the host cities, Richmond is the ONLY one that has not paid the fee.
I know money is tight right now because of the economy, but it is a shame that Richmond cannot afford to step up to pay for such a great event. Especially one that generates almost $500K for the businesses in the hosting city.
It would be a shame if we lost this event. Sportsbackers did say if Richmond loses the Xterra, it would still put on the James River Scramble.
I know money is tight right now because of the economy, but it is a shame that Richmond cannot afford to step up to pay for such a great event. Especially one that generates almost $500K for the businesses in the hosting city.
It would be a shame if we lost this event. Sportsbackers did say if Richmond loses the Xterra, it would still put on the James River Scramble.
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Replies to This Discussion
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Permalink Reply by Gary Hearn on -
It is my understanding that the organizing body for the Xterra series has financial issues, which is probably why they are requesting fees from the localities. If the Richmond area governments worked in cooperation with each other the amount could be split multiple ways, but old habits will prevail and this will probably be another event that is no longer.
As the Scramble is a Sportsbackers event, that should continue.
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Permalink Reply by Parks on -
I think this is actually a good thing and not a case of old habits for Richmonds, lets turn a corner and lose this negative connotation of Richmond not being able to hold on to anything. Sportsbackers is a really great, impressive organization and I think there long term plans are to put on there own version of the event (see Teva Mountain Games in Colorado) or lure a larger, potentially, televised event to the area. I don't think this would be the worst thing in the world, there is a lot more going on then meets the eye.
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Permalink Reply by b white on -
And a new private organization is bringing an Olympic training facility to Chesterfield including swimming, biking, running, etc. Will be a training facility for Olympic atheletes plus planned events.
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Permalink Reply by engine on -
I agree. It's a total shame that Xterra isn't coming to Richmond. This is the one tri I looked forward to each year. I think SB is spreading out all the other events over different weekends - Scramble & Mtn Bike race & regatta. I wonder what's stopping SB from simply putting on a tri of their own? I'm sure they have all the equipment... Just as long as they don't charge as much as Xterra did. It was one of the most expensive races. I recall paying over $100.
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Permalink Reply by Mike Levins on -
The Scramble is on the Sports Backers schedule for Saturday, May 16.
Mike
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Permalink Reply by 2.0 on -
You know it really sucks! I always heard that Richmond was one of the Xterra's best venus. The BPG has spent a lot of hot weekends volunteering for this event.
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Permalink Reply by Parks on
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I can see why someone would be upset with this, initially, but lets hear the other side of the story. The article said Xterra was leaving, you never heard from SB or their longterm plans. I'm telling you these are the people that almost landed us the X-games and how amazing would that have been for the city! Seriously check out http://www.tevamountaingames.com/
I wouldn't be surprised if we ended up with something like this, which would be awesome b/c it would be homegrown, generate just as much revenue, and would be something that would make the whole city proud!
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