My data is that people run faster on straight aways than they do on curves. I base that on when the 200 used to be raced on straights sometimes and on the curves other times. In general, the runners would run about .2 of a second faster on the straight.
Is there anybody that disputes the fact that a runner goes faster on a straight than a curve?
So, when in a 5k a runner has to negotiate 50 curves on a 200 meter track versus 33 curves on a 300 meter track, I argue that there should be a small adjustment when using the times as the basis for advancement to the NCAA Championships.