Two things I don't get...

[Deleted User]

1) What's with the front cover feature a picture of some american style model with a big grinning smile? It's nothing like any runners i've ever seen. I'd feel a lot more comfortable about reading my copy if the front page had a picture of ratbags clutching his medal.

2) Why does the magazine go on about finding the right shoe and then send the best letter a shoe that might not be suitable for the writer?

[Deleted User]

I was just thinking that last night, about winning a pair of shoes.....???

Coverpages are made to attract people to buy them. Same as all mags.

[Deleted User]

The shoe thing puzzles me a bit too. I don't even know what size I'd need in that particular model, never mind whether or not it would suit my running style!

The model thing has been extensively discussed and on the old site we voted for "real" runners (who were at least as easy on the eye as the "model" ones, who are also said to be real runners who just happen to look pretty too), one of whom was on the cover a month or two ago. I don't mind the use of pretty bodies to sell the mag - it might put people off if the cover photo was of a sweaty and unphotogenic no-longer-in-first-flush-of-youth creature like me!

[Deleted User]

V-rap is right, however much of an achievement it might represent, a typical reader collapsing over the finish line having just shaved a few seconds off their PB might send out the wrong message. And I aspire to those women's stomach muscles (rightly or wrongly) however unrealistic!

Womble

But at least they could look a bit sweaty, so we believe they've actually run a short distance further than the couple of metres up to the camera. Or have a strand of hair out of place. Or wear old kit, even an old race t-shirt. Or have a plaster on their knee from when they fell over a small dog on a training run recently (oops wrong thread). Or be older than 20-something. Or have double digit body fat........

[Deleted User]

I recently ran the last mile of a race with a very handsome, runner-shaped 63-year-old woman with fantastic taste in running tights. I would love to see someone like her - not young, not bland, but nice to look at - on the cover sometime.

Ratbag

Hang on a second!

Are you saying that I don't look good enough to grace the front of our favourite running mag??

(sulks...goes off to sit in corner....)

[Deleted User]

RB, you got selected for the interior shots - isn't that enough?

Don Minquez

Its certainly enough for us! Mind you, we do get to see him everyday...ahhhh... BEAUTIFUL!

[Deleted User]

I saw Ratbag at Windsor yesterday, and I think he looks younger and more aesthetically pleasing in real life than he does in his photo.

I'd be happy to see him on the front cover. (No, I don't use a white stick)

[Deleted User]

FGS,

A guide dog then? ;-)

Ratbag

Thanks FGS (blush)

DW,

Sod off!!!

[Deleted User]

FGS, I agree RB looks younger in real life.

[Deleted User]

Only joking RB!

BTW, how did you get on yesterday?

DW

[Deleted User]

Phwooar! Well hellllllllllllllo, Caz!!!

[Deleted User]

being a big fan of posting on my own threads i'd like to add that i don't agree with the good marketing requires cheesy american model philosophy. the tactic might have been good in the 80s but it really is embarassing these days.

perhaps runner's world could experiment with having a normal type running person on next month and compare the sales figure. i'm sad enough to go out and buy two copies if they do just to prove my point.

and furthermore just to contadict myself, george bush would have made for a great cover this month.

[Deleted User]

perhaps a different cover for subscribers?? - that fit bloke with no shirt the other days was a pleasant change! Seriously though, does cover influence choice of running mag? do chaps buy RW because of the girl on the cover??

Perhaps a poll is called for?

Perhaps a runner from the Human Race feature should be on the cover??

[Deleted User]

BBB

pity those of us who can actually buy RW with George W on the front!

[Deleted User]

Oh dammit another bunny I better run for my life! Boing, boing, boing.

cougie

You rabbits are multiplying like er, rabbits. Where's Foxy gone ? ;-)

[Deleted User]

George Bush?? I hope that was a joke.

[Deleted User]

And why do the runners on the front cover never wear socks? I tried that in the hope I would develop long supple legs and glossy hair and teeth (oops, dog thread again) but all I got was blisters.

[Deleted User]

Since I'm a RW subscriber, the picture on the front of the magazine makes no difference since I've already bought it. But I don't mind seeing nice looking people who may or may not be serious runners on the front of it since I see enough real runners at races as it is!

As for the shoe thing, I would prefer to get the money to spend on a pair of shoes of my choice. I don't think that's going to happen though since they more than likely have the shoes to give away rather the money!

Ratbag

Thanks Caz,

You look better in real life too!!!