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Saturday, November 3, 2007 12:00 AM

How Oprah ruined the marathon

America's competitive spirit has been wrecked by feel-good amateurs like Oprah whose only goal is to stagger across the finish line.
By Edward McClelland

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  • Friday, November 2, 2007 06:25 PM

    actually I think for most people, it was the Kenyans

    Ask ten random non-runners who's going to win any given marathon, and you'll get back the answer, "Probably some guy from Kenya."

    The perception that most Americans are laboring under a profound genetic disadvantage when it comes to distance running is what's responsible for the lack of serious American-born competitors. It's not Oprah's fault.

    After all, the hordes of amateurs in other sports don't prevent serious competitors from going for the gold.

    —Allie_ Read Allie_'s other letters

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