Just think about this idea. US distance on the track is doing better than ever. 800 to 10k. But how many d1 10k runners are there that make it to regionals and don't make it to nationals because it's so hard. Then once they're are done with school they just give the sport up because they weren't successful in their college days. So why doesn't the NCAA add the marathon so all these 29 min 10k runners that are nobody's could actually do something in collage and could possible make it on the road right when their eligibility is up.
I say run it the final day of NCAA outdoor championship. Pretty sure NAIA does that. Have a standard in the half they need to hit within a year and top 100 or 150 times of men and women make it. Max 2 per school.
I say this would improve american marathon running for the future, or maybe I'm just stupid.
We have to change something because the US can't compete in any other major marathons in the world.