First off I can see both sides. But I think the real question is: is the increase in hobbyjoggers an increase in people jogging in general or did the "participation" fad somehow encroach on elite or sub elite runners?
Is there any way to measure an increase in hobby jogging has actually hurt the fast people? It seems like our elites are doing pretty well in intl comp and even look at the depth of HS runners there days. I would like to propose that if more people are out there, lets me honest, walking, it has to be better than these people sitting on the couch. If, however, these walkers woulda shoulda coulda been real runners but because of the availability of these joke participation events they just done care, our sport might have a crisis on its hands.
Sorry if none of this makes sense, I have been drinking. +10 for the first to call out the reference.