I know this topic has been beat to death, but I was thinking about this for awhile and thought I would post it.
Obviously, there is a lot of controversy over the standards and purpose of the Olympic Trials Marathon. Heck, for that matter we don't even know where the race will be yet for 2008!
Firstly, I want to say that we always hear so much about the 1970's running boom and the depth of US distance running in the marathon back then, etc. Well what a lot of people don't talk about is the fact in 1972 the US Olympic Trials marathon standard was 2:30, yes the year we went 1st, 4th and 9th in Montreal. It was from that era of runners that competed in that 1972 trials that many went on over the next 10 years to put US marathoning on the map as those guys improved.
But what is key to note is that many had to start somewhere and when you are 22-23 years old right out of college it is a proven fact that you are not going to be in your prime in the marathon, but you at least need a carrot dangling there to shoot for to keep you in the sport as you progress and a sub 2:30 marathon is very obtainable for many good college runners right after they graduate if they go for it.
As it stands now the "A" standard is 2:20 and the "B" standard is 2:22. The question is "why?", who determined these times to be the standards? What's the difference is a 2:20 and a 2:22 runner? Not a lot the next time they race, either one could beat each other.
As it stands right now, the trials marathon is suppose to serve the purpose of selecting the US marathon team first and foremost. But as everyone knows, the marathon is not like a track race with 8 lanes. You need many, many starters because there will always be a lot of DNF's. non-starters, etc. and you need a field of athletes for spectators to watch and support when you are closing down city streets for 26.2 miles. Imagine a marathon with say 8-10 starters, not going to be a lot of interest in that one.
So here's an idea for qualifying for the 2008 Men's Olympic Trials marathon:
A Standard 2:18 (or whatever the 2008 Oly B standard is)
B Standard 2:30
C Standards sub 14:00 for 5000m and sub 29:00 for 10,000m
Here's why:
In 2004 the Olympics standards were 2:15 for the "A" and 2:18 for the "B" standard. Every man who has obtained the Olympic "B" standard should get funding for the US Olympic Trials. Here's why: Because these runners have already obtained an Olympic qualifying standard to begin with and are eligible for selection as is.
Secondly, the 2:30 standard is set because of two reasons mainly. 1) As stated earlier a sub 2:30 marathon is a standard that many young guys would have a crack at even at a young age coming out of college. It deepens the field, gets more young guys involved and spreads the interest to many, many more towns across the US. And on top of this, a sub 2:30 is no joke. Yes, there are many runners who could obtain this standard, but as was mentioned earlier, this was the standard in 1972 and looked what happened as a result.
Thirdly, anyone who has run a sub 14:00 for 5000m or sub 29:00 for 10,000m on the track is obviously a proven distance runner and again would just add quality depth to the field, not too mention someone could come out of this group and actually make the team in a debut.
All of this said, you are looking about a field size of 250 guys tops and of those the governing body is probably only paying for 20-25 of those guys, the rest are paying their own own way, adding more interest to the race, more depth and all the governing body is out $-wise is a few bib numbers and gatorade, etc.
Anyways, that's my 2 cents. Fire away.