It's the middle-class family distance running anthem. Hip-hip, Hurray!
secondchance wrote:
I would like to put a second spin on this.
Athletics is most exciting when its putting myths of human performance to the test.
The caucasian, blonde-haired, blue-eyed Aryans are the master race, and would defeat any other individuals in competition. See Jesse Owens.
The human heart would explode if it succeeded in running 1mile in 4minutes. See Roger Bannister.
The optimal sprinter build is short, stocky, and ripped. See Usain Bolt.
Finally, the optimal endurance runner is of East African descent, spent the majority of his life at high-altitude, had a poor upraising that involved jogging to and from school everyday, and has no means of improving his family's economic situation aside from running fast.
No, it is not very exciting to watch myths continually be reinforced. It is only fun when the oddball comes around and proves them wrong. So yes, we as an American, Caucasian, suburban people will continue to anticipate the day where we close the gap between our and the East African's ability to run fast, and will be biased to cheer on fellow caucasians until the myth is disproven.