As many of you would be aware, when someone runs 10 Canberra Marathons they are awarded "Griffin" status. It's a simple but significant recognition of someone having achieved the successful completion of 10 Canberra Marathons. Unfortunately, the new owners of the Canberra Marathon are prepared to assume the history, tradition and the kudos of the Canberra Marathon up to this point (see: their promotion of the event @ www.canberramarathon.com.au which says "... Australia's oldest city marathon established in 1976 ....") but they are not prepared to honour/maintain the Griffin tradition. I quote their reply to me on this issue:
Dear Elizabeth
Thank you again for your email and your interest in the new Australian Running Festival and The Canberra Times Canberra Marathon.
This is a brand new event organised by Fairfax Events, which, although taking place in the nation's capital, is in no way affiliated with previous races run here. Unfortunately this means that we are not able to adopt the traditions of other Canberra Marathons. We understand that a lot of runners have worked hard to attain the Griffin status that was implemented by organisers of other marathons run in Canberra, however with a new event will come new traditions. As with our other events we love to acknowledge runners who have participated in every single one, such as the Legends in the City2Surf. This is something we will look to introduce with the Australian Running Festival and The Canberra Times Canberra Marathon and we hope that you will be a part of this.
We appreciate your understanding in this matter and look forward to seeing you on the course in April.
Kind regards
Jane
The Australian Running Festival Team
Frankly, they don't have my understanding on this matter.
5 comments:
I'm with you, it's either tradition or it's not. They stole the traditional date, the course, the name ( almost) but not the other parts important to the runners. If it wasn't the local marathon, give it a miss.
Firstly Liz, congratulations on another great marathon run in Hobart - well done! Secondly, I am flabbergasted and very disappointed that Griffin status is not going to be acnowledged. In fact I am speechless so I won't say anymore except BUGGER!
That's not good! You'll have to print your own 9/10ths Griffin T-shirts ;)
Why 9/10ths Ewen - we will both be running our 10th - no fractions for us!! :(
Only kidding Ruth. You're both Griffins to me. But you'll be a 1/10th 'new tradition' after you finish the marathon ;)
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