London, Berlin, Boston, and Chicago have all refused to join the controversial ING World Marathon Ranking series. ING – sponsors of the New York race – has announced plans to inaugurate a ranking based on results from 16 major marathons with a $1.7m prize fund.
But the big four have turned down an invitation to join the scheme, complaining that they were not included in any preliminary discussions or planning.
There is an added fear the series could jeopardise relationships with their own race sponsors. Both Chicago and Boston are backed by ING competitors, LaSalle Bank ABN AMRO and John Hancock respectively. Retailer company Real and Unilever Bestfoods Flora are title sponsors for Berlin and London.
Said Flora London Marathon race director David Bedford: “Whilst we have no objection to a world ranking system, the proposed scheme has serious flaws.
“We believe any rankings should be managed by the IAAF and AIMS and have the support of all marathons. Further, the scheme is an attempt by one company to associate itself with successful marathons with which they have no connection.”
