I'm starting to think that perhaps no one works at Runners World and that they just recycle old stories and change a few bits to make it seems up to date. I'm actually finding the mag quite boring and only spend about 25 mins flicking through before chucking it on the pile of old magazines. I feel that the large section dedicated to upcoming races is a waste of space, considering that the majority of people have Internet access and can get access to these events on this site or other running sites. On the other hand, I find the Running Fitness magazine a lot more interesting, with better stories and more to read.
I'm thinking about cancelling my subscription. I look forward to the magazine every month but it always leaves me feeling disappointed. Am I going to be missing out on anything by cancelling?
0 ·
Comments
I still pay, but only because I enjoy the website and feel I should contribute.
RF has been quite good the last year or so, but still the trouble with running is it seems there is only so much you can write about it as far as I can see.
Wot Welsh Alex said
If the mag goes under, then so does this forum. It's the only reason I still subscribe.
Or they could offer web only acccess like a lot of magazines do now.
How much would you pay for that?
I read it on the toilet. When I am finished with it, it does come in handy from time to time.
Most of the stuff in the mag you can find on this site. Even RWUSA have alot to offer.
The problem with RWUK is that its the same rubbish every month. Same layout, same features.
There`s little inspiring and it more becoming a beginners RW. They don`t give out gifts anymore
like training log, race diary, etc.
I have been stuck to RW and before Running for 17 years as well as Running Fitness and before that Today`s Runner. I want a running mag that can give me ideas, adverture, inspiration. I look at cycling and triathon mags and wonder why RW can take some of their ideas.
I suppose a magazine that is essentially about putting one foot in front of the other, repeatedly and quickly can only ever have so much to write about. Think about it - most magazines trawl out the same issues month in month out, with a different picture, and written from a different angle. Unless it is news thing about current events (even this is all cyclical), then all mags eventually say the same things anyway.
If you don't like it, cancel it.....but the more people that don't pay and just use the forum are probably putting it at risk of being canned, then where will we be?! Look at some of the global newspapers that have gone under because everyone uses the online versions. We all want convenience that we don't want to pay for, but we'll be scuppered when it disappears through lack of funding.
Sorry, I'm obviously in a ranting mode!
The trouble I find with Running Fitness is that it sorely needs better proofreading. It is invariably full of typos and many articles are just not that well written. RW looks more professional and I generally do find lots of bits and pieces to read, but then having said that, I haven't been subscribing to it for long so I may feel differently when everything starts to get more recycled
There should be free gifts though.
Doesn't it! And its type face is so random... far too many different fonts jarring on one page. Like a noob's attempt at word processing.
As for RW, it's all bliddy adverts and I'm convinced the 'Star' letters are made up like Viz
My biggest problem with it is that there just seems hardly anything to read, with a good 50% (not a fact) of the magazine taken up by ads and race events (the reviews are ok but don't see the point in listing all the running events in each area.
I didn't know you could use Tesco points. Will have to look into this.
Running Fitness just seems more interesting. I may jump ship. Thanks for all your views.
I got RF subscription at the pre FLM exhibition in 2004, and I might cancel - but its still better than RW. I still just have a quick flick of RW at Euston - I don't even buy it when I'm drunk now it is stupidly expensive.
Probably the worse thing is the repetitiveness - New year - build up to the marathon - after marathon - DO A 5K short race now!!...summer running....then back to marathon build up.
Amazed no one has mentioned Athletics weekly - have a peek, its probably better than you think, alot more inclusive than it used to be - great articles, results, interviews and races.
AW is good but it caters the track and field. Not great if you a runner. Plus its weekly and expensive.
More than ever before, publishing, from huge national papers to the smallest charity magazine, is run by accountants looking at the bottom line. This means attracting advertisers above everything else, and sod the quality of the editorial content. It's shortsighted, and loses subscribers (in my opinion), but I'm afraid that's how it is.