The hold of the marathon over masters runners is a serious problem.

No, they aren't. The top time at the National Masters 5k road champs last year was a pretty good 15:06. Second place was 16:00. At the national championship.

I did the Masters 10k champs last year because it was nearby. On tired legs, two weeks after Boston, I placed way higher than I had any right to at a "national championship". It was considerably less competitive than the masters division at the New England Grand Prix series road races.

I don't know how fast or slow the course was at the 5k XC champs last year, but there were only five guys under 17:00.

I don't share the exact same thoughts as the OP but I'm dismayed that the big marathons have increasingly catered to older, richer runners while young, fast runners have to face increasing difficult qualifying times and higher race expenses simply to get on the starting line. Boston and NYC in particular. I would prefer if there were less time qualifier categories, such as a strict under-40 and strict over-40 qualifiers, and maybe an over-50 category. But that's it. As someone in my mid-30s that has vastly improved their mental and pacing game for long races, the 35-39 age group was a comically easy back door for me to get into Boston.

This would help attract faster fields while also perhaps reducing the cost for lodging and travel. Additionally, because the big marathons now are harder for slower runners to get into, it could spur growth in secondary marathons and perhaps a more inclusive marathon in the same metro area at a different time of year. Rather than everyone just gravitating towards the Big 3 and making them increasingly difficult to get into. Distance running is an increasingly upper class hobby and the big marathons are basically the Rich People Olympics at this points.

Also the half marathon distance should way more love than it does. Running a fast one of those is just as impressive and way less grueling than going after the marathon. Running the marathon for most people is just an unnecessary torture fest.

I moved to the marathon as a masters runner because I really just didn't have any goals left at the shorter distances and I wanted a new challenge.

I was never going to touch my open 5k pr in my 40s, I had already run a bunch of similar age adjusted 5k times as a masters runner, and I made an honest, but unsuccessful, effort at breaking a threshold time on the track at 5000m.

The only place left for me to accomplish something new was at the marathon distance, since I never ran it as a younger athlete.

I think you'll find a fair number of people who really just need a new goal, and the marathon provides it.

I accepted my 40mpw truth & backed off the marathon. Honestly, I'm a little sad. I suppose I miss the spectacle & hoopla. I went to strength training for new. I feel better - look way better - but ache for the marathon pr just the same.

Yea, I'm in the middle of a Daniels 2Q training plan for my fourth marathon after doing the Pfitzinger plan for the previous two, and I think that I've had about enough with the training. Doing a mid-week 15 miler with a workout in the middle of it is destroying me.

Hang in there man. I know it's trite to say but if it's a struggle, but you're not getting hurt, you're doing something right.

Fully agree with the OP. So many fellow club runners miss shorter races because nothing can intefere with the sanctity of "the marathon plan".

Especially Jim. Never turns out

It was 96 degrees in Boca Raton last fall. Your arrogance appears bottomless. Why don't you show up for some of the races?

Your most common distance is FOUR miles! How and where do you find enough four mile races that it can be your most common distance?

NYRR has multiple four-milers throughout the year. The distance fits the layout of both Central Park and Prospect Park in Brooklyn.

Thanks👍

I wish NYRR had more flat 5Ks.😢

yeah they are trying to have a flat fast one this year, with that new 5k on May 4 in Queens.

But it's probably (not for sure) on a twisty turny course which will slow it down a bit.

What type of careers do they have where they can run 100 mpw?

I work in big pharma HR and have a BQ, and I can assure the latter is not considered a “CV enhancer” for me or anyone else. Short of someone mentioning their college athletics or having been a world class athlete, I find references to sporting accomplishments a real turnoff in candidate resumes.

Ther are many folks who would be better training for the 800 or even throwing the discus.

I like the marathon. It’s a distance most people can’t finish without walking. It’s an accomplishment no matter how slow you are.

I wouldn’t fly to another city to run an 18 min 5K. A three hour marathon is a bigger event and bigger accomplishment. Yes, it’s also more risky that the race won’t go as planned.

I definitely wouldn’t put in the mileage to shave some seconds of my 5K, but just signing up for a marathon sets a bare minimum mileage that I need to run.

Running a hard 5k hurts. Most old people don't want to hurt anymore.

Yeah, Flushing Meadows is flat but a lot of turns as you said. There are also a lot of cracks in the asphalt. Have to watch your footing.

Make no mistake about it, the reason these races are selling out so fast is because of the marathon.(9+1).

This is the reason for most. You can jump into a 5K at any time off general training and run a decent race. Marathon is a project that takes planning and keeps you occupied for awhile.