[2006alum]

Given the natural drift over time, I don't actually think it's all that likely it's being stuffed by an algorithm.  In past years I've noticed that one athlete almost always takes an insurmountable lead by the end, presumably because other fans give up, thinking there's no point. But out of the starting gate, when first announced, it was much more even. In past years that has cut against us, but this year it seems to be cutting in our favor.

[2006alum]

Given the natural drift over time, I don't actually think it's all that likely it's being stuffed by an algorithm.  In past years I've noticed that one athlete almost always takes an insurmountable lead by the end, presumably because other fans give up, thinking there's no point. But out of the starting gate, when first announced, it was much more even. In past years that has cut against us, but this year it seems to be cutting in our favor.