ilgore wrote:
John Bingham, a runner who is known as the Penguin, is often credited with starting the slow-running movement, in the 1990s. “I have had people say that I’ve ruined the sport of running, but what I’ve been trying to do is promote the activity of running to an entire generation of people,” he said. “What’s wrong with that?”
http://www.nytimes.com/2009/10/23/sports/23marathon.html?em=&pagewanted=print
I'd prefer it to be set up so that the competitive runners paid less because they were on the course less.
If I'm going to be on a course for 8 hours, then I think its justifiable to pay the $50-150 entry fee, but if I'm only going to be on the course for around 2:25-3:00 I think I should be entitled to some of that money back.
They could also start giving out different medals for participants. So as to designate someone as a competitor vs a completer.
As for this whole, running attire arguments,(that are completely arbitrary) Does it really matter what the man next to you is wearing when he runs, unless he is a complete eyesore, it doesn't at all effect you in the least, many people wear sunglasses to act as a windshield rather than a sunblock. People use a garmin to accurately measure out their runs. People wear hats to keep their hair out of their eyes. People run the New York marathon in giant Dixie cups because its amusing for many people.
This whole argument is loosely based on the fact that you SLOWER runners don't have enough competition closer to your speed for you to beat, because everyone you run/train with is good enough to put you in your place every time. So you go out and call out the plodders who paid money to have the course kept open long enough for you to complete it as well as them.
Personally, if you aren't breaking 3 in the marathon, You aren't a competitive runner or you're a woman(and even then they're throwing down 2:30s)