I've never understood why people pay money and get up early and travel to do 5K and 10K races. It seems like alot of time and effort to do something that you can do on your own anyway.
For me, that extends right up to a half marathon, as I typically run 13 miles EVERY Saturday (actually i've cut back to 9 while not training for a marathon, but it used to be 13).
Now a marathon I can understand. Having others going through the agony with you helps to push you to the finish, and having 26.2 miles of pavement without cars helps too.
we're not all you.
you're an accomplished long distance runner, WE GET IT. for some people, 10K is a big deal. i'm fairly confident in saying that the average american can't run 5 miles in under 50 minutes so participating in a 10K makes you above-average.
running any distance on your own - whether it's 5K or 26.2 miles - isn't the same as doing it in a timed race. you don't push yourself in the same way, you don't have the encouragement, you don't have the resources (water, cleared roads, etc). i've never run as hard on sunday morning as i have at a race.
your constant berating of any distance other than a full marathon makes you come across like a prick. i'm sure that's not be your intention.