Posing this question before the trials so it won't be seen as sour grapes afterward for any favorite that misses the team. Is a one-time marathon trials race the best way to select the US Olympic marathon team?
Pros:
Spots have to be earned.
Removes all politics from team selection.
Allows a nobody who runs the race of a lifetime to earn his/her way to the Olympics.
Allows for a criterion course which is great for spectators.
Brings the spotlight and hype of marathoning to a feverish pitch in one event towards the Olympics.
Cons:
An injured top marathoner misses his/her chance.
A top marathoner who has a bad day (eg, Meb in NYCM 06) misses his/her chance.
100+ of the best American marathoners don't compete on the world stage in a world marathon major (NYCM for men; Boston for women).
If a B standard marathoner wins the trials, then the US sends only 1 marathoner (as in 2000).
Alternative solution:
Take the first American male and female at Boston, Chicago, and NYCM and there's your team. If the same guy or gal wins 2 of those, then take the closest second place runner to that guy/gal in either race. Discuss.