One strong supporter of the change is former RRCA Women's Distance Committee chair Gordon Bakoulis. It helped to bring greater attention to the performance of women runners for what they could do on their own merit, and it also helped to expose flagrant violations. But with the growth of women in sport I feel that the rule is perhaps doing more harm than good to the sport. Julia Emmons, chair of WLDR, supports Rule 66 as it now reads governing unfair assistance. The interpretation of pacing did not work in reality.
Many elite athletes see the change as a positive step.
I like to go after anyone who is in front of me and to not have to worry about who I'm running next to. The pacing change will allow me to focus on my race. The rule took away from the fun and excitement of racing. Now you can go ahead and let that fellow runner help pull you along. But remember that other forms of unfair assistance still exist and can lead to disqualification.