What are runner's qualifications?

So there are speed runners, racers, "endurance runners" and "distance runners" (I'm not sure if the last two are interchangeable).

Do you have to be an elite runner doing like 100 mpw to be an endurance runner? what qualifies?

96.378392726 mpw.

lol i really want to know what the "schools" of runners are,  its just curiosity

If you run to get faster, you're a speed runner.

If you run to compete in races, you're a racer.

If you run to improve your endurance, you're an endurance runner.

If you run to be able to run a longer distance, you're a monkey's uncle.

The fountain of wisdom that is floggingsully...  

Elite runners are those that compete to win a race, no matter what the distance.  Top Age Groupers regularlary win spots on the podiums in their age groups.

Endurance runners, distance runners, ultra runners, and triathletes are all people that compete in their respective sports.

this amateur ran into this issue the other week.  I joined a running/walking group and was told that the night I attended was "speed runners' night".  I was told that some of the men there were running 5 minute miles.  One woman who complained she was one of the "slow ones" was a 10 minute miler.  She was the last one to return.

Just my experience.

Original Post by wesmckean:

The fountain of wisdom that is floggingsully...  

Elite runners are those that compete to win a race, no matter what the distance.  Top Age Groupers regularlary win spots on the podiums in their age groups.

Endurance runners, distance runners, ultra runners, and triathletes are all people that compete in their respective sports.

Part of what prompted this was my becoming ultra-girl neurotic when another runner that I know said distance/endurance runners don't become as such unless they're running 10m per day, 5 or 6 days a week. I was self conscious!