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As a Chicago runner, I have seen Oprah and her very large ass waddling along the lakefront running path many times. And I have only one thing to say: Good for her! If she and John Bingham are an inspiration to others to get off the couch, lace up a pair of running shoes and live a healthier lifestyle then we should praise her, not condemn her for having the guts take up marathoning. Hopefully for Oprah and those that follow her, it will lead them to a lifetime of healthy lifestyle choices. While one can certainly argue whether logging 26.2 miles in over four-and-a-half hours should be considered "running" a marathon, everyone that sacrifices and trains and has the guts to toe the line to challenge themselves to run 26.2 should be celebrated and encouraged.
There are three different marathons run on race day: 1) the elites racing for victory or to qualify for the Olympic trials, 2) the Boston Marathon qualifiers; serious citizen runners who train extremely hard to try to qualify for America's premier marathon, and 3) average citizen runners whose goal is to do their best and finish the marathon. This last group comprises over 95% of the field in most marathons. These people are an inspiration for friends and family and non-athletes everywhere - not because of their finishing times, but because they had the courage to challenge themselves to train, start and finish the race.
So don't blame them for the fact that elite runners from the U.S. can't compete with the Kenyans, etc. Those issues lie at the doorstep of those who run U.S Track & Field. Until U.S. distance runners train like Kenyans and Ethiopians and Morroccans, etc - including from very early ages - they will simply not be able to compete on the world marathoning stage. And that has nothing to do with Oprah and those that waddle behind her.
