I disagree. Looking at the way the group is structured, I think it works well. Not sure of any other groups doing the sponsored/non sponsored thing. Supporting their best and giving incentive for the guys with less talent to work toward something. Earn it.
The quality of the back of pack runners only drags the group down if the top runners aren't improving. Look at their back of pack guys as an example. Chris Raulli had a PR of over 72:30 in the half marathon last spring, and he went to 69:26 at Philly. If a guy like this can improve to such a degree with Stotan within 6 months, with a 3k PR of 8:38??? 10k PR of 32:34??? I think it actually shows that their system works very well and it should attract a runner of any level.
I also think it is gracious of the coaches to accept runners who would not get attention anywhere else. What better example of how good a system is if a 72:30 guy with mediocre PRs at every distance can chop 3 and a half minutes off of his half PR in 6 months?
