Instant Gratification Run

I saw this article on Runner's World today and  had sooo many thoughts about it I had to share.

0.0-Mile Run in Philly Unites Runners and Non-Runners

For those of you who won't follow the link and read the article (I know who you are (because I do the same thing))-here's a brief summary. In the name of united runners and non-runners, a "race" was organized where essentially every lined up at the starting line, the announcer said "congrats", and everyone went and drank beer and celebrated at the after party. The $35 race gave out a bib, a cotton tee shirt, one free beer, discounts on drinks, free food, and age-group awards. They also had bands and costume contests. 

Here are my thoughts (feel free to agree or disagree):

1. I have to say I like the idea of showing non-runners the joys of the after party. It may encourage some of them to actually run. I hope that the non-runners talked with the runners and learned the incestuousness of both running and runners. However,

2. This made me very mad. I, and other runners, work very hard to get to that after party. Even those of us who don't really drink too much enjoy the celebration afterward. That is not because of the celebration. It's because we put in a lot of hard work to get there. It can't possibly mean as much if you essentially just paid $35 to party.

3. It makes me sad. I know that some of the non-runners there will never run another race. It's sad to me that the whole running experience to them is torn down to a celebration afterward. As I said before, there is nothing to celebrate if you haven't put in the hard work. 

One of my favorite parts of running is the achievement. I don't really race against other people and I'm not really caught up even with my time, but knowing that I have accomplished something is the greatest reward to me. I think that's why this article provoked so much thought. I'm sure the intentions of this "race" were purely for fun, but I feel a little bit slighted by it.

Let me know your thoughts!