This discussion is fascinating and typical of the attitudes that permeate much of the Boards. Kill the slow people, kill the fat people, then kill the old people. Who's next?
Back in my 30's, I was a 1:20 half marathoner, 2:47 marathoner, nothing very special, but certainly "running." I am now 62, and, in spite of how hard I train, I am about 1 1/2 - 2 minutes a mile slower than I once was. I still love to run and still love to race (mostly 5K and 5 mile runs now) and get a great deal of enjoyment out of the sport. I try to give something back by volunteering at races, helping out at running clubs that I belong to, etc. I assisted my wife when she used to coach Middle School track and cross-country, hoping to inspire just one of those kids to get really involved in the sport. But as slow as I now am, I still think of myself as a "runner." Running is something that I have always enjoyed, and I hope always will. It adds to my overall health, wards off some of the infirmities of age, and makes me feel better about myself.
It seems to me that the John Binghams and the Jeff Galloways are only trying to do that for people-make them feel better about themselves and help their health a bit. Yes, they are self-promoters and they are not creating or coaching the "stars" of the sport, but if no one was buying, they wouldn't be around. So there is a significant interest level and in this era of obesity and video games pretending to be physical activity, it should be encouraged as much as possible. If we "slower" runners really interfered with the ability of the elite to train or compete, I could buy some of the arguments being posted, but we rarely, if ever do. We are just trying to do our modest thing, enjoy our health, and feel better about ourselves. I don't think that is a crime or demeaning to the sport. I would suggest that far more people are aware of Dathan Ritzenheim, Ryan Hall, etc., than would be the case if people were excluded from competing. There is no question that some people are so self-centered that they are unaware of what's happening in running, but I suspect that there is overall good for the sport by being inclusive. It certainly attracts bigger sponsorships to major (and even smaller) events than would otherwise be the case and allows the NY and Chicago Marathons to bring in some of the world's best to compete. If we plodders weren't there also, I doubt if the sponsors would be either, or that millions of people would line the streets on NY next weekend to cheer everyone on to the finish line.
Bingham and Galloway may actually inspire a few people now and then to become something more than plodders and finishers and contribute back in some way to running. I think that it is to their credit that they can get so many off the couch. On a personal level, it gives me a great deal of pleasure when someone lets me know that they started running because of me, and if this makes them feel a little better, it is terrific and I am happy for them, even if all they can do is knock out 12 minute miles for 2-3 miles.
I would remind everyone that even the Bill Rodgers and Frank Shorters of the world grow older and slow down. From the interviews that I saw with him after this year's Boston, Bill seemed as excited to finish in over 4 hours as he did when he ran his 2:09's. Which of you would suggest to Bill that he can't run Boston, because he's now only a plodding 4:06 marathoner?
For all of you out there, I have some facts for you to think about. You're all getting older. Even as you read this it is happening, and you're all eventually going to slow down. It is 100% guaranteed. At least then we won't have to listen to those elitist attitudes any longer when you're no longer in the sport.