I think that simply stating that WSER receives a (potentially) generous sponsorship from Hoka and that Hoka's request in turn was that Golden Ticket races were also Hoka events is fine. No real need to dance around that issue here. The doomsayers who hate Hoka and UTMB are probably going to be upset regardless, but showing non race-directors a peek behind the curtain might help. Just food for thought. Maybe it wouldn't, but it was heavily implied that it was NOT optional to have all Hoka races. If you don't just explain why it invites speculation. 🤷♂️🤷♂️
Anyone who complains about all the Golden Ticket races being Hoka races has never run a business and had to pay all the bills (and they are not getting lower). A partnership has to be a 2 way street and this is a great way to offer Hoka great value for their money:) I love it.
Yeah, people who complain about people responding (negatively or not) to something people post on social media, have also never ran a business. I’ve ran a business for 20 years, and people in leadership know when you put something out there people are going to have opinions and feedback. Some constructive, some not. That’s part of it. But when you talk about transparency, yet you’re never transparent, it’s just going to garner more scrutiny.
Exactly. Many races would not exist without sponsors. This race would not be financial sustainable without sponsors. The partnership has to be mutually beneficial.
I think is a real pity that Thailand UTMB Major (in December and with doping test at least last year ) has been pulled out of Golden Ticket . Being Tarawera in mid February, that’s definitely not a ver ygood option for Asian runners (lunar calendar festivities like the western culture Xmas, are usually end of January beginning February) so, many of them, plan seasons differently than athletes in western countries. I think APAC golden ticket choice, clearly hasn’t considered most Asian countries traditions. I’ll suggest to keep it in mind for 2026 edition list 🙏🏼
I’ll add also that from most Asian countries flights to NZ, are as long as the ones to Europe; not very achievable for many. Really wish a you guys can present a more global inclusive list next year 🙏🏼 6 races (1 North America, 1 South America, 1 Europe, 1 Africa, 1 Asia, 1 Oceania).
@@guimvallsteruel3729 This is a north american race, that primarily exists to serve its community. I doubt they'll go down to even two NA races. How much does a Chinese or Japanese runner who is entering the sport in 2024 really care about running a non-technical 100miler in California. With the heavy sponsor tilt it is getting, I suspect non-Hoka brands will put their bonuses and incentives elsewhere too.
@@kimaboe are we talking about Western States or a local race? we are in 2024, all trail world knows the big races. Isn't WS one of them? I think is. And what about all trail asian runners has been running for 10, 15 or 20 years? Hoka and any big brand got their eyes in Asean markets, their future.
@@guimvallsteruel3729 Yes, it is a historic and famous race, but the way this is going I feel like a lot of teams will put their incentives elsewhere and gradually its position will fade. Does it really make sense for Terrex to show up at Canyons with a dozen athletes when the entire broadcast is a Hoka showcase? And in order to maybe get to run another race that is a Hoka showcase? Once the people who grew up with the historical performances at Western States age out of the top 50, will the next generation be as invested in the legend of Western States, or UTMB, or will they go looking for the next thing?
@@kimaboe exactly for the next generations to keep interested in top events, making golden tickets more “achievable” (gosh you gotta run fast), in many areas of the globe I think is key. If one got no chance to participate, sure it won’t be interested. But agree with you about the way this is going 😞. I’m getting old 🙂
I appreciate the transparency they have on how people got in. But there are clearly backdoor - it's just that now we can see who had that. So I appreciate the transparency.
I would have liked to hear a bit more an about how the sponsor spots work. They talk about how there is no back door or side door but these sponsor spots, like Sally’s, kinda seem like a side door
Exactly. There's clearly backdoor way to get in. But to their defense, at least they are transparent about it. I don't know how much sally's sponsor paid (directly or indirectly) to get her in, but we know that it's clearly what happened.
Totally. And I’m not trying to call them out or anything. I think the sponsored spots are totally fine and add a fun dynamic. And at the end of the day you have to be an amazing runner to perform well at states regardless of how you got there. Was just more curious of how those sponsored spots are allotted and if it is just as simple as Nike putting up some cash.
@@loganholmes7814 Exactly - and I'd be curious how much they pay for it. $3000? $10,000? I have no scale for it. To be honest, I wish there wasn't a sponsored way in, but I get it - it's a win-win for WSER and the sponsor. It's unfortunate that many of us will have to wait 8-10 years for a spot, but sponsor spots is not the reason why. It's because WSER organize a great race, so great job guys.
Ya I wasn’t into the sponsored way in either but after watching this I realized how few opportunities the elites have to get in if they weren’t in the top ten the year before. So I’m ok with a few more ways for them to get in even if they aren’t exactly fair. Some of these runners may only have one opportunity at a golden ticket race and they could have an off day or roll and ankle and miss out on a ticket when they could be a real contender. Pretty crazy tho I thought there were more golden tickets out there. Would love to see a few more in the mix
Seems odd to highlight these golden ticket races when it’s for certain that 99% of runners won’t ever get a golden ticket. I guess Hoka, Western, and the media consumer like this announcement. I suppose this gives the everyday mid/back of the packer insight into what gets the elites excited. Thank you!
I think that simply stating that WSER receives a (potentially) generous sponsorship from Hoka and that Hoka's request in turn was that Golden Ticket races were also Hoka events is fine.
No real need to dance around that issue here. The doomsayers who hate Hoka and UTMB are probably going to be upset regardless, but showing non race-directors a peek behind the curtain might help.
Just food for thought. Maybe it wouldn't, but it was heavily implied that it was NOT optional to have all Hoka races. If you don't just explain why it invites speculation. 🤷♂️🤷♂️
My thought also... If transparency is their goal, they shouldn't dance around it.
The old school circuit from Bandera to Sonoma built so much more hype for the race than the modern circuit
So true - so bummed those two races aren’t in the mix.
List starts at 4:00 You're welcome 😃
I definitely appreciate that you at least have to do a qualifier to be in the lottery. The pool would be massive without that.
Anyone who complains about all the Golden Ticket races being Hoka races has never run a business and had to pay all the bills (and they are not getting lower). A partnership has to be a 2 way street and this is a great way to offer Hoka great value for their money:) I love it.
Yeah, people who complain about people responding (negatively or not) to something people post on social media, have also never ran a business.
I’ve ran a business for 20 years, and people in leadership know when you put something out there people are going to have opinions and feedback. Some constructive, some not. That’s part of it. But when you talk about transparency, yet you’re never transparent, it’s just going to garner more scrutiny.
Exactly. Many races would not exist without sponsors. This race would not be financial sustainable without sponsors. The partnership has to be mutually beneficial.
Good work - congrats and thanks guys 😀🏃♂️🏃♂️
I think is a real pity that Thailand UTMB Major (in December and with doping test at least last year ) has been pulled out of Golden Ticket . Being Tarawera in mid February, that’s definitely not a ver ygood option for Asian runners (lunar calendar festivities like the western culture Xmas, are usually end of January beginning February) so, many of them, plan seasons differently than athletes in western countries. I think APAC golden ticket choice, clearly hasn’t considered most Asian countries traditions. I’ll suggest to keep it in mind for 2026 edition list 🙏🏼
I’ll add also that from most Asian countries flights to NZ, are as long as the ones to Europe; not very achievable for many. Really wish a you guys can present a more global inclusive list next year 🙏🏼 6 races (1 North America, 1 South America, 1 Europe, 1 Africa, 1 Asia, 1 Oceania).
@@guimvallsteruel3729 This is a north american race, that primarily exists to serve its community. I doubt they'll go down to even two NA races.
How much does a Chinese or Japanese runner who is entering the sport in 2024 really care about running a non-technical 100miler in California. With the heavy sponsor tilt it is getting, I suspect non-Hoka brands will put their bonuses and incentives elsewhere too.
@@kimaboe are we talking about Western States or a local race? we are in 2024, all trail world knows the big races. Isn't WS one of them? I think is. And what about all trail asian runners has been running for 10, 15 or 20 years? Hoka and any big brand got their eyes in Asean markets, their future.
@@guimvallsteruel3729 Yes, it is a historic and famous race, but the way this is going I feel like a lot of teams will put their incentives elsewhere and gradually its position will fade. Does it really make sense for Terrex to show up at Canyons with a dozen athletes when the entire broadcast is a Hoka showcase? And in order to maybe get to run another race that is a Hoka showcase? Once the people who grew up with the historical performances at Western States age out of the top 50, will the next generation be as invested in the legend of Western States, or UTMB, or will they go looking for the next thing?
@@kimaboe exactly for the next generations to keep interested in top events, making golden tickets more “achievable” (gosh you gotta run fast), in many areas of the globe I think is key. If one got no chance to participate, sure it won’t be interested.
But agree with you about the way this is going 😞. I’m getting old 🙂
I appreciate the transparency they have on how people got in. But there are clearly backdoor - it's just that now we can see who had that. So I appreciate the transparency.
Love the transparency!
I would have liked to hear a bit more an about how the sponsor spots work. They talk about how there is no back door or side door but these sponsor spots, like Sally’s, kinda seem like a side door
Exactly. There's clearly backdoor way to get in. But to their defense, at least they are transparent about it. I don't know how much sally's sponsor paid (directly or indirectly) to get her in, but we know that it's clearly what happened.
Totally. And I’m not trying to call them out or anything. I think the sponsored spots are totally fine and add a fun dynamic. And at the end of the day you have to be an amazing runner to perform well at states regardless of how you got there. Was just more curious of how those sponsored spots are allotted and if it is just as simple as Nike putting up some cash.
@@loganholmes7814 Exactly - and I'd be curious how much they pay for it. $3000? $10,000? I have no scale for it.
To be honest, I wish there wasn't a sponsored way in, but I get it - it's a win-win for WSER and the sponsor. It's unfortunate that many of us will have to wait 8-10 years for a spot, but sponsor spots is not the reason why. It's because WSER organize a great race, so great job guys.
Ya I wasn’t into the sponsored way in either but after watching this I realized how few opportunities the elites have to get in if they weren’t in the top ten the year before. So I’m ok with a few more ways for them to get in even if they aren’t exactly fair. Some of these runners may only have one opportunity at a golden ticket race and they could have an off day or roll and ankle and miss out on a ticket when they could be a real contender. Pretty crazy tho I thought there were more golden tickets out there. Would love to see a few more in the mix
Seems odd to highlight these golden ticket races when it’s for certain that 99% of runners won’t ever get a golden ticket. I guess Hoka, Western, and the media consumer like this announcement. I suppose this gives the everyday mid/back of the packer insight into what gets the elites excited. Thank you!