by Larry EderThe inevitable has happened. Competitor, formerly known as Elite Racing, will take over the ill fated Las Vegas Marathon, on December 8, 2008, the day after this years’ race. The present owners, Devine Racing, will no longer be involved with the race. This action has been rumored for some time, and makes sense. Elite Racing is the most successful..
race management company in the sport, with eight events, not counting Las Vegas. From their start in 1998, Elite has taken chances, but delivered on its’ promises, with strong events that are well managed and well produced.
Devine Racing has not had that same luck. It has taken them a little less than five years to buy events, and then sell events. Many reasons for a company’s demise, much of it cash related, but also, more than anything, Devine has had issues with management and reputation from day one. Devine had brought in several strong CEO’s, who were never given the authority to make the business successful. Among the former CEO’s were Steve Miller, whose appointment gave the running community some hope.
Reputation, reputation, reputation. When word leaked out that Devine was not paying their bills at one race, then another, then another, support for the events began to backslide. Devine Racing did not show up at expos, and articles in newspapers began to note that small companies were being stiffed, this did not work in their favor.
All of this drama has been playing behind the scenes at all Devine events for the past few years. Ciity of LA Marathon was sold to a local group, and now, Las Vegas marathon was sold to Competitor (formerly Elite Racing) Group.
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