Quote:
Originally Posted by Tyrone Slothrop
I understand why the race adopted the structure that they adopted. But I expect that it didn't even occur to whomever was looking at the results that s/he should look at the non-elite results, too, and so they simply missed her time. And then, when the mistake was pointed out, they covered their asses instead of admitting a mistake. They didn't want to have to try to get the trophies back from the "winners." I can't believe it wasn't as simply as that. The result is post hoc rationalization.
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most of the real elite races* pay appearance fees, and have people showing up who run for a living. if they gave the first place to someone who didn't really race against the top names, they won't be seeing the top names running there next year.
the woman had an advantage of having a rabbit for her to catch just ahead of her the whole 26 miles, since there was a pack that had started earlier. the elites had to push themselves. the built in motivation of people ahead of you the whole race, and that you can catch is huge.
*as coltrane says that may not apply to this race, but it may well take it's rules from the standards.
