Yep, they could have been there. They just wouldn't win any $$. Bix has been around for 36 years. Just about any distance runner of note has run this race at one time or another over that 36 year period, foreign and American. It is a great race and an EXTREMELY difficult course with the heat, humidity, and HILLS! Fans line the streets for the entire course. It is well organized and run. So, out of those 36 years it is granted the National 7 mile championship 3 times. So what! The foreign runners have cleaned up at Bix for the past 15 years or so. As far as I know, Bix is still the highest paying non marathon road race. The winners get their choice of $$ or a new car. So, the foreigners will be back next year and you can bi&* and moan about races not supporting American athletes.