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Are some races inherently superior to other races?
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By (user no longer on site) OP
over a year ago
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This can be a contentious issue, but I hope we can discuss it like adults. For a long time, many people have suggested that some races may have some inherent worth that others races do not. If you believe that some particular race is superior to other races, please explain why and do not post your opinion without some rational justification.
For instance, the marathon is a 42.195 kilometres race, supposedly a length in homage to Pheidippides, a Greek messenger who died running as fast as he could to deliver the news of the Greek victory over the Persians. One could argue, however, that it's enormously long standing tradition lends it particular value as a premier race.
The triathlon, by contrast, is known for its variance rather than its tradition. It's prominence is mostly a consequence of this variance -- testing multiple avenues of human endurance. Does this variance make it a more worthwhile race than one based purely on running?
One could of course argue that any value we confer upon arace is purely arbitrary, and not a reflection of some inherent worth. Do you feel that is true? Why or why not?
Again, I ask that everyone discuss this issue like mature adults. I know some of us may be come particularly attached to a race we participate in or which we watch fervently. |
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I feel that the egg and spoon race is superior to all others combining food, hand eye coordination, cutlery and aerobic exercise it has something for all ages and abilities, truly egalitarian and inclusive. |
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No I don't believe so.
However the Victorian English establishment did try to commission research into proving that anglo saxons were a superior race to the Celts (particularly in Scotland).
But the planned 'research' was quickly stopped. |
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By *onyneMan
over a year ago
Newcastle |
The triathlon is pretty impressive...and a drug free Tour de France is also a heavy endurance thing...but quick bursts of speed, like the 100 metres, is special in other ways...
Hard to compare such varying skills.
The multi sport events [not an expert...pentathlon? heptathlon?] always seem like something pretty special, but they involve things not specifically 'races'. |
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The Marathon is a true test.....
With the tri........all being equal fitness wise....it comes down to who can afford to spend 5 grand on a bike !!
If you can spend serious money on a good bike...it makes a big difference. |
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By *icketysplitsWoman
over a year ago
Way over Yonder, that's where I'm bound |
I wouldn't compare Formula One with The Grand National but both races are reliant on the human getting a considerable amount of help from something other than their own endeavours.
I heard a piece on Woman's Hour this morning about sports bras and one on running. Both articles convinced me I should never try and run a race.
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I stopped reading after about 10 words....nothin to do with the topic, I just know 'discussing like adults' is unlikely as rule in the forums.
I may check back with an opinion if it hasn't descended into the usual nonsense. |
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By *awk_eyeMan
over a year ago
east london |
I don't believe any race is inherently superior, however there are races who exhibit superior aspects in certain regards I think. But, as a result of environmental factors over generations. Someone mentioned black people being great sprinters earlier, Michael Johnson the sprinter made an interesting documentary that was shown on the BBC a few years back on that topic and it's possible link to the years where black people were kept as slaves. |
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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago
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The Austrian Grand Prix is inferior. The circuit is bland and doesn't have the same wow factor as Monza in Italy. Personally, I would have reintroduced Istanbul back onto the race calender. And no German GP this year? FFS! |
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Yes!
The Marathon des Sables and the South Pole Race are clearly superior to all other races because they represent the the greatest human endurance races on the planet...
I must be a raceist fitist
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What seems to get missed in the Marathon story is that the messenger dies from his exertions... now call me silly but There's no way I'd ever take part in a sport where There's a strong possibility of death |
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By *icketysplitsWoman
over a year ago
Way over Yonder, that's where I'm bound |
"What seems to get missed in the Marathon story is that the messenger dies from his exertions... now call me silly but There's no way I'd ever take part in a sport where There's a strong possibility of death "
Yet hundreds will take part in the London Marathon and some do die.
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"What seems to get missed in the Marathon story is that the messenger dies from his exertions... now call me silly but There's no way I'd ever take part in a sport where There's a strong possibility of death
Yet hundreds will take part in the London Marathon and some do die.
"
a bit like lemmings really |
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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago
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I reckon the pancake-race requires a superior level of skill than the egg and spoon race or the sack-race, however the three legged race offers the greatest challenge....  |
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By *icketysplitsWoman
over a year ago
Way over Yonder, that's where I'm bound |
"I reckon the pancake-race requires a superior level of skill than the egg and spoon race or the sack-race, however the three legged race offers the greatest challenge.... "
Especially if our legs were paired.  |
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By *educedWoman
over a year ago
Birmingham |
See I am of the opinion, that the obstacle race is the most difficult. You need a range of skills to be able to compete and win.
There is the usual running and jumping but then throw into the mix, the putting on a silly outfit or hat, hula hooping, throwing a bean bag into a bin, doing something with a skipping rope and possibly the most difficult, balancing on an upturned gym bench and I think you have the makings of a most superior race. |
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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago
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"I reckon the pancake-race requires a superior level of skill than the egg and spoon race or the sack-race, however the three legged race offers the greatest challenge....
Especially if our legs were paired. "
 |
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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago
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"I reckon the pancake-race requires a superior level of skill than the egg and spoon race or the sack-race, however the three legged race offers the greatest challenge.... "
I concur the three legged race far supirior ; added bonus , opertunity for a good groping..."oo I've fallen" grope grope grope.
It's not the winning that counts it's the friends you make on the way
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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago
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"The Marathon is a true test.....
With the tri........all being equal fitness wise....it comes down to who can afford to spend 5 grand on a bike !!
If you can spend serious money on a good bike...it makes a big difference."
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By *eavenNhellCouple
over a year ago
carrbrook stalybridge |
"The Austrian Grand Prix is inferior. The circuit is bland and doesn't have the same wow factor as Monza in Italy. Personally, I would have reintroduced Istanbul back onto the race calender. And no German GP this year? FFS!"
pa F1 roundly roundly with auto gearboxes just a big scalextric now get into real motor racing go rallying constantly changing weather surfaces etc
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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago
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"What seems to get missed in the Marathon story is that the messenger dies from his exertions... now call me silly but There's no way I'd ever take part in a sport where There's a strong possibility of death "
What is also missed is that he had ran around 150 miles. It is the spartathlon in greece that replicates his effort not the marathon.
The modern marathon's seemingly random distance comes from the fact it was introduced in to the modern Olympics as 25 miles but subsequently extended at the 1908 London Olympics as king George wanted it to start at Windsor Castle |
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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago
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"What seems to get missed in the Marathon story is that the messenger dies from his exertions... now call me silly but There's no way I'd ever take part in a sport where There's a strong possibility of death
Yet hundreds will take part in the London Marathon and some do die.
"
The girl who died a few years ago had taken a dodgy/illegal supplement. Press never really reported the inquest though |
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By *bi HaiveMan
over a year ago
Forum Mod Cheeseville, Somerset |
"Anyone remember back in the eighties - Daley Thompson doing the decathlon? - always thought that was a good measure of a great all- round athlete! Xx"
Hurt my friggin fingers on the keyboard though!  
A |
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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago
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"The Marathon is a true test.....
With the tri........all being equal fitness wise....it comes down to who can afford to spend 5 grand on a bike !!
If you can spend serious money on a good bike...it makes a big difference.
"
By the time the bike makes a difference they'll be getting it for free |
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"I don't believe any race is inherently superior, however there are races who exhibit superior aspects in certain regards I think. But, as a result of environmental factors over generations. Someone mentioned black people being great sprinters earlier, Michael Johnson the sprinter made an interesting documentary that was shown on the BBC a few years back on that topic and it's possible link to the years where black people were kept as slaves. "
Similar to American basketball players being so big, because the biggest strongest slaves were bred together, so the could work harder.
But superior no, bred for the environment yes. |
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"I prefer the grand national to the Derby"
I used to go to the derby every year, was a fantastic day out...
The national is more a spectical than a race though... One of those anomalies that we could never create now. |
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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago
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"Anyone remember back in the eighties - Daley Thompson doing the decathlon? - always thought that was a good measure of a great all- round athlete! Xx
Hurt my friggin fingers on the keyboard though!
A"
Oh yeah, What a classic that game that was. You are really showing your age there mate. Oh gord so am I too now |
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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago
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"The Austrian Grand Prix is inferior. The circuit is bland and doesn't have the same wow factor as Monza in Italy. Personally, I would have reintroduced Istanbul back onto the race calender. And no German GP this year? FFS!pa F1 roundly roundly with auto gearboxes just a big scalextric now get into real motor racing go rallying constantly changing weather surfaces etc "
Weather conditions do change in F1 aswell. All the races are held outdoors. |
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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago
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No. Consider the deployment of performance enhancing drugs. This practice serves to highlight the lofty potential of any human body to transcend physically. |
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Surely the ultimate race is the Human Race:
where various groups are given opposable thumbs, berries, and a couple of sticks to rub together. The winner is the first to develop nuclear weapons and blow everyone else to fuck?
My money's still on America, though I can see them pesky Saudis putting on a late spurt...
Mr ddc |
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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago
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I think most 3rd world inhabitants are genetically superior to first world inhabitants.
Most north Africans are genetically superior for long distance running due to their muscle structure.
Most African American are genetically superior for muscle formation due to a 500 year history of genetic engineering through slavery!.
Humans have always tinkered with genetic engineering for thousands of years, we battle mother nature daily |
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