I'd have more respect for the athlete if after the opening gun the runner just took off a layer of clothing and revealed a shirt as decorated as a NASCAR body. At least then the runner would be making a statement and I suspect one or two big time RDs would, especially on the road circuit, would look favorably upon it. Remember that the RDs are the ones shelling out big appearance fees. It's the USATF and the championships that are shortchanging the runners, so they're the ones who care, not the big time RDs.