southernfriedrealist wrote:
Why can BQ runners pay for their own trip, while am OTQ runner can't cough up a few grand to pay for a once in a lifetime experience?
Why is there such entitlement these days? Most OTQ runners don't pay for their shoes and seek comped entries. Why can't you sacrifice on a few things and pay your own way for this one race?
Put in a little money back into the sport you love.
I actually don't disagree with all that you say, but your example of the BQ is not necessary equal in that the percentage of "struggling athletes" pursuing the OT is much higher. Further, especially RIGHT NOW, several OT qualifiers for 2016 found out they have qualified in the past 7 days. You would have a fair point to say they could have been pinching pennies to ensure they had the necessary means to make the trip, but I for one would certainly show more sympathy this year because of the recently amended standard and added participants.
That all being said, I think most of us here would support the struggling runner pursuing his/her dreams, but this wouldn't be Letsrun without the cynical a-hole referencing entitlement and preaching in extremes.