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McClelland seems to think that the marathon is just another race---albeit a lot longer than most. That may be the case for "elite" runners and for some spectators and "commentators," but for most of us who run a marathon, it's a rite of passage. The race asks a question: do you have the heart? It's a good question, an important question, and it has nothing to do with time. McClelland doesn't seem to grasp that---which is just...sad.