I notice that a lot of people are confusing physical fitness with distance running ability, as if they're less fit just for being slower over 10k.
The vast majority of high school and college runners were not suited to long-term running. They started when they were skinny teens and prolonged that life phase until their early 20's, then proceeded to build strength and bulk, which is vital for overall fitness. Years later they may run 5 to 10 minutes slower for 10k, but if they can lift heavier weights or throw things farther, then they have lost no fitness, in fact their overall fitness has improved.
It's a shame that most sports measure the level of absurd specialization someone can achieve. A marathoner can do pretty much nothing but long races. All-around events like decathlon that require true fitness are treated as sideshows.