An Old Timer Looks at Today's Running Scene and Gary Cantrell

Way back when, three or four decades ago, I read the following article by Gary Cantrell (pictured above) in Ultrarunning magazine. I loved it, still do for that matter because I can relate to it.
 I ran AAU Developmental races towards the late 60's and began to run the few road races around my area in the early 70's and continued to do so until I switched exclusively to trail running and racing in 1990. I saw the local road racing scene change over the years.
Fast forward as they say, two years ago friend and veteran trail runner Emmett Harrigan suggested I watch a documentary on the Barkley Marathon. For those who may not know, Barkley is way beyond the 26.2 distance. It is a quirky, grueling, gut and soul busting ultra run. Evidence of this is that at this year's race there were no finishers.
Getting back to the documentary, I was pleasantly surprised to see that Cantrell was the man who founded and guides this "race"( survival run?) with his twisted sense of humor still intact.
The distance world needs more Gary Cantrells.
Gary's article is between the quotes below. Enjoy
 "There was a time, only a few decades ago, when those of us in the tiny running community used to smugly tell one another that running would never be popular---No one will be willing to work this hard but us---The running boom of the 70's dispelled that myth and changed the face of our sport. It seemed that the cozy, insider atmosphere evaporated and we were absorbed into the huge mass of newcomers.
As the 90's kicked in, an excursion into sub-marathon racing is as disturbing as a visit to our childhood home. Once we were the masters of the sport, dispensing our hard-earned wisdom to eager novices. These days, the old-time runners are peculiarities, outcasts among the denizens of the sport we once called our own. The same people who found acceptance into the running community required nothing more than showing up and giving it a shot, now huddle in cliques with a dress code for acceptance. Battered racing flats that once bespoke a foot warrior who had paid his dues now draw stares of derision from those who spend over a dollar a mile on footwear. Faded shorts and moth-eaten t-shirts are ostracized among the tight little circles of polyester peacocks. Maybe I am too touchy but it is a little irritating for my baggy shorts to draw snickers from men who come to race in their wife's underwear.
It's ironic when I consider the running scene today that it has come to pass that the real running community of the 90's is just as small and just as isolated as that of the 60's.There can be no question that today's running is sterile and poor by comparison with that of the "good old days" Growth and progress simply do not always go hand and hand."

 I understand what Cantrell is getting at here. He sees a running scene that has evolved and has lost some of the qualities that made it unique.