Engineer of Plates wrote:
Not me. You can go through the list of finishers and find many guys with better PRs than the NP guys who did not run well in a national meet environment in Kentucky in 40 degree windy weather. Several NP guys would have fared the same.
Yes, the other variable is a 5K race with a far less competitive field provides far fewer variables than a loaded 8K field where a lot can happen. So the answer I gave is if they all run their best and handle the distance. Their top 4 being in a large pack, and their 5th having to run smart with way more guys to deal with than he usually has. So, that 125 score is basically a perfect day. Realistically you could have two guys in the 5-10 range running great, their 3 and 4 falling having some struggles into 15th and 35th, and then the 5th guy at 125-150th place. Still a very good day and would get them anywhere from 5th to 8th.