Let's not confuse sport and athleticism. Auto racing, skiiing, snowboarding, track, baseball, etc. are all sports and each requires a certain skill set. Driving requires incredible reflexes and the ability to withstand heat and G-forces. Combine that with the spectre of death or paralysis and you have some pretty tough customers. I used to think that runners were total badasses but, I've also grown to respect what other "athletes" do.
Geb running 26:XX for 10,000. Tiger hitting a drive 320 yards and true. Barry Bonds reversing a 98 mph fastball over 450 feet in the other direction. These are all incredible feats. Sure, Geb suffers a lot more but, the others worked hard to get to the level they play at.
My point, you never see NBA players calling out MLB guys as "lazy asses" and NFL guys don't label NHL players as "pathetic wusses." Why must runners call out every other athlete and proclaim our superiority? Insecurity? Envy?
Runners - be proud of what we do and find self satisfaction through your performance. Being whiny and self congratulatory about our "superiority" doesn't exactly endear us to the masses.