Marathon under 6 hours discussion

Agree, it's not really up to this random guy on the internet, it's up to each individual Race Director as to how long they keep the course open. If it's open for 7 or 8 hours to support those finishers, win-win for everyone all around. If the RD chooses to close it after X hours and that is clearly communicated, them's the brakes for runners not finishing before the cutoff. 

"The problem is society has said that "longer is better", and having that 26.2 decal on your car is a rite of passage. You can argue that all day long, it's not worth my time. What you can't argue with is that the phrase "Couch to Marathon" shouldn't exist without the basic stepping stones along the way that include a 5K, a 10K, and a half-marathon."

I think his point would have been presented much better without that paragraph.  Without that paragraph and changing nothing else you have a brief article that makes a solid point.  I agree with 3mar that some data could be presented to further strengthen this point.  

What the quoted paragraph accomplishes is turning the discussion from strictly "you're wasting dollars that could go to the charity you're raising for" and diluting it with "and they shouldn't be out there anyway".  That's a toxic attitude that is unnecessary. 

I agree. It came off as elitist to me.

Agreed, he came off elitist to me as well. 

Not only is a marathon a right of passage its a journey for many people for better health, bucket list goals, whatever.  If a RD wants to keep the marathon for 7 hours or 8 hours so be it.  If they coordinate the logistics of it, why does it matter?

Now I have no problem if they have a marathon that has a cutoff of 6 hours, or 5 hours.  As long as people are aware of this going in. 

Last year I watched an 80 year old man finish a marathon in 8+ hours. A bunch of people stuck around long enough to cheer him on, and it was one of the best finishes I've ever seen.  To each RD his own, but I thought it was pretty cool that they waited long enough to let that guy accomplish his goal.

My Grandpa once did the Marine Corps Marathon in 6:12.  We couldn't have been more proud of him.

Snore.  Who cares what he thinks?

Seriously.  If it didn't work for RDs they wouldn't do it

One can hope ...

I once completed the MCM in about the same time - no one was proud of me.  My wife was sure I'd be delivered to the finish line in an ambulance.

I was about 2 hours under where he was.......but I don't remember the last 3 miles.    Every time I saw an ambulance I was sure it was for me.   I vaguely remember wanting to jump off the last bridge over the hwy.