It does seem in poor taste to me as well. When you look at other marathons, the elite women are finishing 2:20 and 2:30s. The article says that O'Connell didn't consider herself an elite runner, and that's probably because she usually runs over a 3 hr marathon. Preferred Start, DEFINITELY. Really fast marathon--YES. Elite--that's debatable.

How was she to know that "elite" runner in this marathon meant a 3 hr race? It doesn't seem fair.