A quick follow-up, now that the story is all over the news (local and otherwise, including the Pace per Mile podcast) -
What happened at Sunday's race was that the women's first finisher was DQ'd because she took outside aid on the course. Apparently she had a biker who gave her drinks and nutrition several times on course, even after a course marshal told her that the practice was not allowed. Plus, runners apparently received five emails about the new policy prior to race day (I didn't, but I registered late). She was shooting for an OTQ, and I think the race directors realized that Sunday was the last day to run an OTQ time, so they tightened up on the rules (as far as I know, this rule was never explicitly stated in the past, and in fact, I asked permission to pace David at this race for his first marathon - just a few final miles - and my requested was granted).
There is a bit of a debate about the DQ online, and I can see merits to both sides of the argument:
1. She broke a clearly stated rule; she gets DQ'd.
vs.
2. If the race is going to have USATF regulations, they should also provide elite nutrition tables. The race currently has no elite program, and these policies will discourage elites from choosing this race as they can receive better support at other races. I hope in the future the Louisiana Marathon does make these changes, or they simply won't get a quality field.
But the bottom line is, she broke the rules and she was warned about them and yet continued to receive outside aid - so DQ it is. I'd waver a bit, perhaps, if she hadn't been warned, or if she'd actually hit the OTQ standard (she missed it) - that would make me feel pretty terrible for her! She DID state to the marshals that she'd spoken about it to the race director, but the director says this did not happen.
Meanwhile, in more positive news, I saw that the actual winner did get to break the tape - it just wasn't announced or anything, so she was more confused than we were! But good for her.
I think I'd be a lot less certain if she'd hit the OTQ time. Wonder what the director would have done then. I doubt she cared much about winning, she was just racing the clock.
ReplyDeleteI agree.
DeleteHuh, that is interesting. Since she was told about the rules, it makes sense that she was DQ'd. But it sounds like the race needs to make changes to support elites if they want that kind of field going forward.
ReplyDeleteThanks for posting about this! I meant to read an article this morning and then misplaces it and consequently forgot about it.
ReplyDeleteThis was all over FB yesterday. Like you I can see both sides. Kind of makes me wonder exactly how much of a difference your own nutrition/ fuel support can help performance. In my November marathon there was a complete lack of course support (no gel handed out on the entire course) so I was very glad to have John hand me an electrolyte drink at mile 19. Not that it helped much- I still crashed hard!
ReplyDeleteI was also kind of wondering - what about everyone wearing headphones (like me!)? What about one of my friends who ran the half and had an unregistered friend pace her to a PR?
DeleteI guess it makes sense WHY she was DQ'd, especially since she had the rules mentioned to her. (Although if I'm mid-race, I don't know if I would waver from my pre-race plan.) I suppose I don't necessarily see why it's such a problem, especially if they don't have elite tables. I can't imagine having someone hand you something really makes that big of a difference in your time - right? I get you don't have to carry it.......I don't know. It seems pretty picky.
ReplyDeleteI didn't even know that accepting outside fuel/hydration. Was a no-no until after my last marathon. A lot of races have spectators who even pass out orange slices and the like. I guess it really matters for those in placement contention, but I'm going to adhere to the rules even if I'm nowhere near meddling.
ReplyDeleteI'm surprised this woman continued to take aid even after she was warned. I wonder if she would've still been disqualified if she stopped after the warning? Or maybe she just thought, screw it, I already took aid so I might as well continue?
That should be "medaling" not meddling. Lol.
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