PF wrote:
I hope the Americans who decided to forgo the race read the above as well as the whiny peanut gallery who won't shut up about the fact that some of our runners actually get to choose their own racing schedule. It's hot, it's humid and it doesn't fit into the long term goals of many of our best runners who obviously know more about how to prepare for prossional running than anyone who posts here. Myself included. Wejo included as well.
I haven't been part of that debate, but I have my opinions. Although I agree that American runners should have the freedom to forego the world x-c championships, and should be free to pursue more lucrative alternatives if they so choose, I don't agree that their decision should be immune to criticism because they "obviously know more" about "preparing" for professional running than anyone who posts here.
Back when I was running at a national-class level, I was thrilled to be able to run against guys from countries where running is taken seriously. To me, it was like being on the national basketball team of a basketball-poor country and having the opportunity to play against top American players like Michael Jordon. Who would turn down that opportunity? Yet many top American runners, back then as well as today, have chosen to compete in races that are tilted in favor of attracting American runners and discouraging foreign runners (through restrictive race entries; American-only prize, appearance, and incentive money; and so on). I thought that reflected badly on those runners back then, and I think that it reflects badly on them today. To me, anyone who really appreciates the history and culture of world-class running should welcome the once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to compete in the world's greatest distance race, being held for the first time in the home of the world's greatest running nation.