The weather was shittier the couple times i stopped in, cold/wind.
If its windy in amherst its doubly windy at ECC. 
While I don’t run and have only once, all I heard was people griping about the weather. That’s out of your control.
If I were running, I think I would get bored of the same old. Same locations, same layouts etc, same wierdo cooking food… point being, variety is the spice of life and keeps people interested beyond the aspect of competition and beating on your car.
I also think there needs to be an event like NCCC again which incorporates more high speed sections… if you want to call it that.
I do agree with the crowd having less discretionary income and choosing between their options.
Good luck guys.