A great regional running magazine
Written: Jul 22 '00
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Product Rating:
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Pros: Comprehensive race information and results
Cons: Articles about running can be a little boring
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| b_hodges's Full Review: Northwest Runner Magazine |
Northwest Runner magazine is the foremost authority on running in the northwest. RaceCenter and Sports,Etc. have recently become rivals, but do not focus on running like Northwest Runner does. For years, this magazine has consistently and accurately given race information, results, and advertising moreso than any other publication in the area. Some of the actual articles can tend to be a bit dry, but most runners purchase this magazine for its information on races.
Northwest Runner has cornered the market on race information in the Northwest. You want to find out information about a little known 5k in some podunk town 60 miles away? It is sure to be well advertised in Northwest Runner. You want to find out when registration goes from $15 to $20 on a big race in Seattle? No problem. Maybe it can be called the Microsoft of running magazines (only far less lucrative), in that every race coordinator relies on Northwest Runner to get the word out about their race over any other magazine. Not only is there a section on upcoming races, there are alerts to advertisements within the magazine that can be more helpful.
For race results, no magazine so comprehensively covers every large and small race like Northwest Runner. From races with 25 finishers to ones with 10,000 finishers, Northwest Runner covers all regional road races without exclusion. Aside from race information, this is the bread and butter of this magazine -- if people aren't wanting to find out about a race, they want to find out how they did in a race. It doesn't just list top finishers, it lists nearly everyone (some races are simply too big to list everyone) including results by age divisions, in most cases.
Finally, though the articles are well written, they can sometimes detract from the magazine. I'm a runner, but reading about the subject of running can be, well, boring unless it is well written and interesting. I guess I find reading about other people's training regimens and nutritional problems ad nauseum to get kind of old after a while; A lot of times I end up skipping over to upcoming races and race results because they are more interesting. If the articles were more pithy, humorous, and captivating, I'd be more apt to read them. It seems that this magazine can focus on certain running clubs (and people within them) that predominate the area and can exclude people who are out of that loop. In my opinion, Northwest Runner needs articles that are written to encompass all types of runners, not just competitive ones, and appeal not just to those in clubs, but individuals, as well.
So, in conclusion, Northwest Runner is the heart and soul of running magazines in the northwest (particularly the Seattle/Portland corridor). No other magazine gives more information on upcoming races or comprehensive coverage of race results in the area. Some articles are worthwhile reading, but are not the reason this magazine sells. It is admittedly difficult to write about running, but I believe personal accounts of races and humorous articles can improve this magazine. Northwest Runner does accept queries on articles, so input from writers is important. Maybe I should quit complaining about it and write some articles!
Recommended:
Yes
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Epinions.com ID:
b_hodges
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Member: Barry Hodges
Location: Seattle, WA
Reviews written: 19
Trusted by: 6 members
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