Are you a moron, or just plain stupid.
3:58 for a 3:34 guy (even if that 3:34 guy is only in say 3:41 shape) is an indication that he either 1) fell and got back up, 3) they almost tripped or got caught behind someone who tripped and jogged it in, 3) gave it up and jogged in, 4) blew up and jogged in.
The key fragment is "jogged it in". You see races all the time where guys jog in.
Is it a great result? No. No way.
Is it indicative that 3:58 is all he can do? No. No way.
Does Nike give a f*ck if he gives it all and runs 3:41 or he jogs it in. No, they don't. They don't give a f*ck what he does in some tune up race in Boston.
What they care about is who can make the big stag. Who can make an olympic team, a world championship team, or do great in any race that more than a few thousand people know about.
They care about selling shoes and equipment.
Talent and potential is what ultimately matters. It's similar to how the VC invest in companies. They'll spread around dozen's up bets looking for the big winner. It's those big winners who sell the shoes. Not some 3:38 guy who never has the potential to turn into something big. Even if he happens to be running fast than a German Fernandez, or a Mac Fleet, or a Will Leer.