Cheaters at local race (Page 2)

Yeah, you're right about the 'devices' not including watches, etc.  (Or even the mile pace clocks used at many races).  I should have been more specific that I was referring to using an iPod w/earphones as a pacing device, which is illegal.

Mark

At my last Olympic race, I saw a guy cut the course. He was running towards me and then cut across the road to stretch. I asked if he was ok cause I thought it was wierd to cross the road to stretch when he could have on his side.  About a minute later he passed me and I said, all better huh? He said yeah it was cramps. I then called him out and said I saw you cut the course. He said no he didn't, that he was on a relay team???  Relays still run the same distance as everyone else and I saw you run across the road! He then began to say he did not have to explain anything to me, which I replied, 'No you don't, but you will have to explain it to the next race official I see!"

And I did tell a race official.  I cannot say that they did anything about it, but I felt like I owed it to everyone of the triathletes that did the full distance.

I am sympathetic to the moral indignation that some folks feel when they see blatant cheating going on, but at the end of the day the only person you have control over is the person you face in the mirror every morning.

The reality is that not all of us have a moral compass that points in the same direction.

Whether you want to call it 'rule breaking' or 'cheating'  doesn't really make any difference.  It's the same thing.  The rules exist for a purpose, whether to insure fair competition, safeguard the competitors, address legal liabilities, or whatever.  Rules are rules.  If you don't like one, then there are ways to petition for changes through the organizing bodies.  Just because you don't happen to agree with a rule, do you have the right to blatantly disregard it. 

I get as aggravated as anyone when I see some FOPers tucked into a tight pace line.  But what I think what upsets me even more are folks who don't even bother to read the published rules of the sport, then get all upset when they find out the rules aren't what they think they should be.

If it really bothers you that much, then sign up to take the USAT officials course.

Mark

I think the rule against using audio devices should be strictly enforced. 

I still think a really good sniper can disable the audio device with minimal damage to the person wearing it.

They aren't banned at races like Dallas Marathon, Chicago Marathon, the entire Rock N Roll series... just going by ones I've done. I'm assuming there are more.

Originally posted by Chillin

Originally posted by lisac957

Originally posted by Chillin  At least they are banned at every running race I know of. Maybe this is a large vs small running race difference?

They aren't banned at races like Dallas Marathon, Chicago Marathon, the entire Rock N Roll series... just going by ones I've done. I'm assuming there are more.

Well for the dallas marathon it does say you are not allowed to wear them at the start or finish, so as long as you put them on after you start and take them off before you finish you are ok I guess. And for the chicago marathon it says nothing about ipods specifically, but it does say cell phones are not allowed, so for most people that means no music. :p  

Eh? From the Chicago Marathon link I posted:

Can I run with an iPod/headphones?
Yes. USATF, the national governing body of the sport, recently amended its ban on headphones, iPods and similar devices. However, athletes competing for prize money are not allowed to use electronic devices such as headphones and ear pieces.