[ForceD]

<span style="font-family:'Times New Roman';"><span style="font-size:medium;">I’m probably going to be accused of being homophobic for this, or unsure of my own sexuality and/or masculinity. And this isn’t “gay bashing.” But, do any of you who get RUNNER’S WORLD have a problem with the cover photos? In the words of Senator Larry Craig “I am not gay and never have been gay.” …not that there’s anything wrong with that. But lately every other cover photo seems to be a shirtless male looking less than masculine. I have the issues sitting on my desk at work and when people come into my office they ask if RUNNER’S WORLD caters to the gay community. If it does, that doesn’t bother me. But why can’t they use photos that aren’t staged...and are of real runners running? Real runners don’t start and/or finish their runs with Mitt Romney hair or make-up.</span></span><br><br><span style="font-family:'Times New Roman';"><span style="font-size:medium;">Dan</span></span>

 

[flobaby]

How funny. I think the cover people look pretty plastic, myself. But that's the way it's going to be on a shiny magazine cover. I just received my 2nd free issue (got one more coming) but I won't be subscribing. Too little substance.

 

[Snooze]

His abs, pecs, and hair freak me out. I have folded the cover over so that I don't have to see it when I pick it up. <img alt="uhoh2.gif" src="http://files.kickrunners.com/smilies/uhoh2.gif">

 

[muzicgrl]

The pictures of the super skinny women on the covers are just as disturbing and they are all staged also. Do these bother you too?

 

[Billy]

The cover seems to be a source of irritation judging by the Letters to the Editor section, too. I like the magazine but I don't subscribe for the cover photography. *shrug*

 

[coacht]

There was a reason that guy (Josh Cox) made it onto The Bachelor. He's been able to make a living in the running field, but it's as a model and not necessarily from his running.

 

[theia]

1<br><br>
Pick up pretty much any health or fitness magazine, and you'll see the same basic cover -- someone with full makeup (male or female), scantily-clad, looking happy and joyous while posing and/or exercising. It's a formula. Honestly, no one would buy the magazine if the cover photo showed someone suffering while working out! <img alt="smile.gif" src="http://files.kickrunners.com/smilies/smile.gif">

 

[Hippo]

Trail Runner and UltraRunner magazines both use real runners, typically in beautiful settings. Some of the photos may have been staged a little, but many are race photos.<br><br>
What I think they do is to select from a lot of photos to pick a great one. They also tend to choose runners that are photogenic. I know that running attracts all kinds of people, but if you pick out the 5% most attractive ones you are bound to find some SERIOUS eye-candy **looks up at Theia** <img alt="smile.gif" src="http://files.kickrunners.com/smilies/smile.gif">

 

[theia]

Awww, shucks. <img alt="blush.gif" src="http://files.kickrunners.com/smilies/blush.gif"> Thanks Hippo!!!

 

[Complete Pete]

I've noticed that, too as has my non running wife. It seems to be happening with more frequency.<br><br>
Also of note is their lack of racial diversity. A coworker of mine refers to it as "Arian Monthly" when he sees it on my desk. In a sport dominated by Africans, I do find it interesting that they show the sandy haired ubercaucasion on the cover every month.

 

[PacerChris]

Arian Monthly - that's pretty funny.<br><br>
I vote they just have pictures of Carrie Tollefson every month.

 

[VictorN]

I'm not a fan of Runner's World. The inside pretty much matches the cover: lots of makeup and perhaps a pretty picture, but not much of substance.<br><br>
Victor

 

[kcwoodhead]

I can say with 100% confidence they chi'd his hair for the cover. Now <i>that</i> freaks me out a little!!

 

[corrade]

So staged, deer in the headlights lighting, like plastic RW action figure versions of people. Last year they managed somehow to make Carrie Tollefson look like a total dweeb, and on Running Times she was smokin'. It takes some compelling content to get me past the cover, and then half of the mag is full page ads. Rodale bought RT and I hope they don't take it the same direction.

 

[mmoonptdeux]

I never liked the RW plasticized pics, nor the model-style bodies, for either gender. I never thought of it as sexual orientation thing, but more of a "look how glamorous I can be as a runner" motif that we know isn't why a vast majority of people love to run.<br><br>
The new cover of Marathon & Beyond has a great pic of a runner wading through the water in a during a Costa Rica adventure race. That's what I would like to see myself

 

[Complete Pete]

When all is said and done, it's a beginner's magazine. That's not said with any malice at all, it's just the market they target. I got my subscription for the first year that I ran then I outgrew it. If there's something of note, I'll pick up an isue, but that doesn't happen much any more.<br><br>
I got a free subscription to RT with a marathon entry last year and I LOVE that magazine. I love the fact that they give so much coverage of the elites. I'm hoping Rodale leaves well enough alone.

 

[Hanging Jury]

I think this is right on. It's also why the pics on the covers of RW aren't usually of elites. If the covers had pics of elites that aren't as beautiful as the models, the beginners/masses would be less likely to buy...<br><br>
I still subscribe, but will not renew. I like Running Times, TrailRunner, Marathon & Beyond and New England Runner much better.

 

[Callalily]

I'm so glad someone said this. I totally agree! All the women ever wear is a bra and those figure fitting shorts, nothing more. It doesn't leave much to the imagination. If a male is featured on the cover, he can wear regular running shorts and maybe a shirt.<br><br>
I do like it when they feature a real runner, for example, the cover photo of triathlete Desiree Ficker.<br><br>
Susan

 

[kfuller]

My wife looked at it and did not like it either.

 

[bcc594]

<br>
That's their market - they aren't aiming their magazine at either the US domestic sub-elites/elites, and especially not at the international elites. They're trying to sell the magazine to the North American middle-class: white sells. How often would a white guy show up on the cover of "Hip-Hop-Monthly"?