USATF's marathon selection rules are so stupid that C. Young could finish top 3 at Trials and not go to Paris even if US sends 3

please don't break your own rules.

Rojo is breaking his own rules in the hopes that it will inspire USATF to break its own rules, as Rojo knows rules are made to be broken, especially stupid rules, and Rojo is probably the world’s expert on what rules are stupid.

rojo is my favorite letsrun personality and its not even close

Isn't this two-plus method the way just about every other country does it? In fact, this two-plus thing has been mentioned on this board before, in years where a Rupp was viable but possibly injured for the trials.

Sure, this is Alabama-over-FSU-ish, but if we know this going in what's the issue? We also want the best, right? Neither here nor there, but if somehow the US decided to go to Moscow after the marathon trials I would have had no issue with Rodgers going over Heffner.

Right now, say a guy named Eth managed to get in, and finish third at the trials in 2:24. Mantz was a DNS with a cold or something. Who goes?

I follow your thinking, but maybe USATF doesn't mean what it means and they haven't thought this through. The first scenario is indeed what they mean and maybe they do mean that.

The second scenario is especially murky and possibly they haven't thought this through but is kind of a boon for anyone who wants to try and raise their ranking. Life hacks.

Have you thought about contacting USATF for a comment?

The men need to pool some money together and get Graham Blanks to run a 2:08 marathon before trials. Open up the 3rd slot and he can go on to tracks USAs.

Whatever way you slice it (or hypothesize about it), these Trials are an absolute nightmare for us fans and long-time distance runners. I was planning to travel (from NY) to watch the races in person, but why attend an Olympic Trials where none of the top 3 finishers may qualify for Paris?

Similar nuttiness to the 10k. I felt bad for Natosha Roger after placing 3rd at 10k she was not sure if she would be able to go. I am not clear why she eventually was granted a spot. But, it hurts the sport that runners don't know what their chances are. And it should be clear for fans too.

You could at least link to the old thread

Yes, the funniest scenario is that Mantz could choose not to run trials and still basically be a lock to be selected, if Fauble's world ranking stays high enough.

Rojo breaking his own rules on a thread crying about rules. What a world

Top 3 will go to Paris

So what?? How many lines did you devote to reporting on the 2nd and 3rd finishers for USA in Hokkaido?

The two world-beaters?

I mean it’s just one less person, 2 instead of 3. Would you really cancel your trip because of that?

I think USTAF is trash, but any issues here are not their fault. If the US men want to ensure the top 3 at the trials are picked for the Olympics, they need do their part in advance.

So it seems more logical for our guys to go to Tokyo or London and go for a time/placing to improve their chances instead of running the trials.

That's what I"ve tried to tell people for years. It's confusing to fans. Why does WA care if the person has run under 2:11:30 or not. If a country holds a LEGIT trials - like we do - then let anyone take the spot. If they are good enough to finish top 2 in this field, they certainly are good enough to run under 2:11:30. And it's not like a 2:13 guy is going to result in Paris's GDP going to shit as their roads had to be closed for an extra 90 seconds.

That being said, anyone who is going to finish top 2 almost certainly has run under 2:11:30 so far (although did CJ Albertson's count?).