The New York Times ran a fascinating story yesterday about the fallout of Kenya's success in long distance running. Kenyans have dominated the sport for several years, and Americans apparently have had enough. The Boulder marathon, for example, now allows only three Kenyan runners and three from other countries. The marathon's director says "We hope to level the playing field. It's our country, our event, our money. American sponsors want American winners..."

At a time when support for Affirmative Action is wavering in the US, it's good to see that someone still cares about imposing fairness. It's just not fair that American runners are not fast enough. If we let the Kenyans continue to win, what message will this send our kids? Do we want them to grow up thinking that they can never run fast? Do we want their role models to be the speedy but taciturn Kenyans, or the moderately fast but Budweiser-swilling, Nike-endorsing, Ford-driving, McDonald's-swallowing healthy Americans?

Put simply, the Kenyans are sucking the running out of this country. Soon, no one will be motivated to even jog anymore, because they'll feel like they don't have a chance against the Kenyans. Everybody will just sit home, watch the last episode of Seinfeld, and eat cheese doodles. How long before we look at ourselves in the mirror and see an overweight nation of used-once stairmaster owners?

So this Monday, when you're home eating kielbasa and watching the Boston Marathon, pray for the American runners. And if you're along the marathon route, do your part to level the playing field: tackle a Kenyan.

   G   I   R   L      S   C   O   U   T      B   E   N   E   F   I   T

7th floor playroom April 17, 1998 5:30 pm