Mascot Grand National Boycott 2010
The Mascot Grand National is an annually held festival of animals in the form of mascots that can be found in the football fields all over the world. These mascots are being summoned to participate in the races that are held in the event. In the previous years there have been a significant difference in the degree of participation of the mascots, it has been dwindling.
The organizers of the said very famous sporting event have been disappointed about the outcome of the event.
The usual participants have boycotted the event. They said that it was a hassle to travel from one country to another and it's very hard to wear heavy equipment such as the big shoes and the heavy mascots that they have to wear and carry as if they wear lightweight while they run downhill. Sometimes they may not notice it, they are already bleeding. That's the sad part of being a professional mascot wearer.
The usual participant were: Chaddy the Owl who's from Oldham Athletic, Graham the Gorilla from Finedon Volta and Wacky Macky Bear from Saffron Walden Town. All of them are from football clubs. They are one of those who boycotted the race.
A former organizer of the annual event said "Having worked in this field, and been approached by the organisers, I can tell you why this event is being hijacked and the clubs who took part at the start dont. The incentive to get the person inside the suit, who requires a helper, to travel from Manchester to Huntingdon, to take part in the event, was 1 burger. No expenses, no drinks, no pocket money, no hotel, nothing. Our man went once, was made to chance in a shed with no running water, and didnt get his meal ticket. Also, unless you win, you get no publicity, and as its miles away from your club, no local PR. You would be better off taking part in a charity event where you are based, which is what we did. We took part in the Great Manchester Run for example, employing a Marathon runner to run 10k in the suit for charity. As such, you will get people seeking cheap publicity, or mascots from bodies who pay chugging companies £110 a person to sign standing orders. You reap what you sow!"
Here's the video of the said race:
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