Participation/Socialism or Motivation?

Well, I am back.  It has been a long time since I used my blog site, but here it is for better or worse.  It has also been a while since I ran a road race, but, that will change as I will  be running in the Merriam Turkey Creek Festival 5K in Merriam KS this Saturday.  This is one of the more difficult road races of the 5K’s I have run before, so maybe I should have chosen an easier race to get my feet wet, or blistered again.  But, nothing ventured, nothing gained, right?  Or is it, “stupid is as stupid does”?  And yes, I have heard the other Forrest Gump quote many times directed to me about my running.  “Run Donnie run”.  But when I received the flyer for this race, I noticed something interesting, if not a bit disturbing. Every racer gets a finisher medal.  I am not big on participation awards, trophies, etc., unless, as in the case of this race, there are also medals for finishing in a top tier.  Otherwise, where is the motivation?   At any level of a competition, there should be awards for winning, or placing.  If they want to give medals just for finishing or such, that is fine, but don’t let that be the only recognition.  I have run in many races over the last few years. Two races I have run in, I finished 3rd in my division, and got a medal, that meant something.   Three other of the races I have run in, I received a medal just for finishing. Two of those were four mile races, which is slightly longer than a 5K.  They mean nothing more to me than to remind me I ran in the race, cool looking as they may be.  Another of those was for a half marathon I ran, that means a lot more to me, as some people don’t finish, and countless more don’t even try.  But what if even in that race, they gave only finisher medals to everyone, regardless of where they placed?  The people who finished well ahead of me and placed,  would rightfully feel slighted. I finished in the middle of the pact, probably 5,000 in front of me and 5,000 behind me. Competition is an essential motivator in all aspects of life, otherwise, where is the fun, where is the motivation.  Otherwise, we have socialism, that doesn’t breed competition or excitement.