comped "elites" wrote:
I personally know `10-12 "elites" with comped entries who previously only ran mid-high 2:50s (female) and high 2:20s(male)
They applied early and were accepted. It wasn't solely merit based, it was also first come, first serve. Many of them didn't finish anywhere near the OTQ times they hoped. All great people, but my point is that the elite field wasn't based on being competitive, it was based on the timing of the application.
Not my experience
I started talking with Sarah Culver In January. I had the following
2 ladies with the B Standard who wanted to run the half
My 2:39 girl got entry/travel/lodging/meals
My 2:43 girl got entry/lodging (we withdrew her a couple months ago)
I had 3 ladies in the full chasing the B standard
1- 2:45:07 PR initially got nothing
2- 2:47:39 PR initially got nothing
3- 2:44 PR already with the B Standard got entry and bottles.
A few week ago the Sarah reached out and upgraded runners 1 and 2. Both got entry fee reimbursed and runner 1 also got bottles.
The entered field was filled early. And they were as accommodating with us as much as they could. And they always are.
If they want to focus on US runners so be it.