Not directly related to article - but - an alternative to spt_values:

create table #Number (number int);

with N4000 as (select 0 as Number union all select Number+1 from N4000 where Number <4000

)insert into #number select * from N4000 option (MAXRECURSION 4000);

create index ix_N on #Number (Number);

with cteTally

as

(

select Number from #Number where number >0 and number <=(Select max(age) from #RunnersBig)

)

select *

from cteTally

cross apply

(

select top 2 * from #RunnersBig where age=number order by time

) as Winners