Not at all though- 3:45 is a fine marathon for a casual runner. A good marathon, even. But “fantastic”? In no world is 3:45 fantastic.

What? Yes, actually. His 65 minute half-marathon is really, really fast. His 3:45 marathon is incredibly mediocre. It’s like saying Steph Curry is both very, very good at basketball, but sometimes he has an incredibly mediocre game. Does that make more sense?

I in no way said it was slow. I said it was in no way fantastic, by any standard. The record for 70 year old women in the marathon is under 3:45, but that’s “fantastic” for a casual runner? Come on.

But casual runners wouldn’t consider a 3:45 marathon “fantastic" in any world.

It's not even remotely incredible or fantastical for a casual runner.

More than casual, yes. Fantastic? Come on.

“Barnicle finished in 3:45:34, an objectively fantastic time for a casual runner”

Is now really a time to be making jokes? A referee was just Zlatan the face!

Eh, maybe. Still waiting on definitive proof. I’m probably naive but I’m hopeful that Rupp is clean, since he’s pretty much the only chance Americans have to compete at the world level.

The incredible thing in this picture is that these two people are so similar in ability: marathon runners with incredible talent, fast track times, Olympic medals. But they couldn’t be much more different- Meb is about 5'6", Rupp 6ft or so. Meb over 10 years older. East African for Meb, plain ol white fo Rupp.

Oh wow that's an incredible comparison.

Haha the taxpayer? Who said anything about tax payers? USATF should fund it, not taxpayers. That’s insane.

You got me, that is an incredibly similar situation. Perfect comparison. Good game.

Yes, you are correct: they shouldn’t have to pay money for a tryout. Glad we can agree.

Again, those are dues to the MLB, which are far different. Runners already pay dues to USATF. This would be as if his paystub said “Major League Dues” and something along the lines of “Fee to play in 1st Round Playoff Game”. Apples and oranges.

Regardless, they don't have to pay. Also, they get invited to camp- not everyone invited makes the team. Sounds a little bit like a tryout to me.

Wait, what? Lebron and Kobe have to pay to join the US Olympic basketball team? Huh. Huh.

There is a slight difference between a “governed men’s league” in hockey and a nationally televised US National Championship event. Ryan Miller doesn't pay USA Hockey to let him play goalie for Team USA.

Actually, chances are that they did not have to pay a fee to participate in their qualifying races. These runners are elite, or close enough to elite, and the vast majority earned free entry into their qualifying races.

Fun fact: that “college-aged kid” you are remembering was actually Mike Cassidy, the same person the story quotes above. He’s a really cool dude.