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Damn Rules!

Damn Rules!

Posted on 07. Sep, 2010 by in Fitness, General, Running, Training

Recently someone told me they were running Chicago Marathon. I wondered why since registration closed months ago. Upon inquiring I learned they had bought the race bib/number from a friend (who is injured).

USAT (and the Chicago Marathon website) clearly states that such actions are prohibited.

And states:

  • Participant race number bibs are specific personal identifiers and may not be exchanged with or transferred/ sold to any other person.
  • Sale and/or transfer of race entry/bibs is strictly prohibited and will result in the disqualification and/or banning of any individuals involved from future events.

I know we all hate rules, but there is an actual reason for why this policy is in place. A few reasons are below.

#1) Liability/Medical If something were to happen to the new runner (Joe), no one would know. The runner that was injured (John) paid for the bib/number & race day privileges (plus 18 weeks of training hell fun!), although each person is responsible for their own race day health, there is a reason that USATF is in place for races (and not just Chicago Marathon). It covers that person who paid, not for a “illegal” person running.

#2) Age Group One of the biggest reasons is the it will skew the results. Bob ran under Susie’s name. Bob won his age group (although really Susie). See what happens? Now you may say, I have no chance of winning anything let alone placing in age group. My response? It doesn’t matter if you are the 1st person or last one to cross the line. Its an integrity and ethical issue. You can get banned from life from races if you are caught. Its kind of like crashing the White House State Dinner. Just. Don’t. Do It.

#3) Other Some races (like Chicago Marathon, NYC Marathon or Marine Corps Marathon for example) are difficult to get into. There is a reason why there is a lottery or registration closes early. Some have transfer deadlines. Use them. If you want to run a “big” marathon, then sign up for it or enter the lottery. Train for it. Don’t do it on a whim or because you don’t want it to go “to waste”.

This person told me they didn’t want to the bib “to go to waste” (friend was injured/couldn’t run). Its not going to waste. Its called life. We will all get injured at some point in our life training for a race (or just walking down the sidewalk). Its for the reasons I stated above.

Rules are for two reasons. A) Someone caused the problem in the first place so the rule was made B) For our safety. Obey them.

Please run a race, a marathon, whatever, but do it the right, moral way. And for sure as hell get proper credit for it!

What are your thoughts?

Photo by Julian Mason

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14 Responses to “Damn Rules!”

  1. Nicki

    07. Sep, 2010

    I toyed with this idea when registration for Wineglass closed way before I anticipated and I didn’t get my registration in on time. Then, I thought about it. I could run as someone else. I knew there were rules and I wasn’t about to break them just to run that particular race this year. I adjusted my outlook, decided to aim for one after that weekend so I could still see all my friends run Wineglass, and registered for a different race.

    Rules are there for a reason. I wrote somewhat about this a while back. My rule pet peeve was all those people that wear earbuds and music during races when the rules specifically state they are NOT allowed.

  2. Sarah

    07. Sep, 2010

    It can be frustrating not to get into a race (NYC is always on top of the list it seems!). But rules are rules and if people keep breaking them, it is only go to make it worse for future races. Good job on listening and obeying them:) And I too agree about iPods/headphones. I’ll have to write about that as well! Keep running!

  3. Tweets that mention Damn Rules! | Sarah Stanley Inspired -- Topsy.com

    07. Sep, 2010

    [...] This post was mentioned on Twitter by Sarah Stanley and Sarah Stanley, Sarah Stanley. Sarah Stanley said: What's your take? @USATrack_Field @ginaharris @krzimmer @we_run @THESFMarathon http://bit.ly/c7aTlS [...]

  4. Rev. Run

    07. Sep, 2010

    I’m a big “rule follower” to the point where my wife makes a lot of fun of me for following the rules, no matter what… They are there on purpose…

  5. Eoin

    07. Sep, 2010

    I saw a report last week where someone died just after the finish line of a Rock n Roll half marathon. If they had been using someone else’s bib # who would have been notified?

    Eoin
    @eobeara

  6. Sarah

    07. Sep, 2010

    Exactly!

  7. Ari

    07. Sep, 2010

    I agree rules are there for a reason and should not be broken. Like you said, on a more simpler lever, it’s just not fair. It’s not fair to all of the folks that tried to register but couldn’t because the race filled up quickly. If he’s really itching to run Chicago, I’m sure there are charity spots.left. He should earn his spot by trying raise $2,500+ for charity.

  8. Mark

    07. Sep, 2010

    Could not agree more. I once sold my entry to a marathon, due to injury, but it was sanctioned and pre-approved by the race committee. I’m sure many other marathons allow for this. Doesn’t take a lot of work to figure that out rather than taking the easy, lazy way out!

  9. Jeff

    08. Sep, 2010

    No means no, maybe?

    I can appreciate the administrative overhead as well as logistical hoops where race organizers can find themselves spending more time processing transfers than organizing the event but there has be be some middle ground where a transfer could be initiated.

    A significant transfer fee might be one method of sanctioning transfers for larger events.

  10. Sarah

    08. Sep, 2010

    Most races have a transfer period (Marine Corps Marathon for example), which is fine. Its people who sell bibs/numbers when the transfer period is over OR as in the case of Chicago Marathon, it is never allowed. There is a reason why races have policy’s. Runners need to listen (and obey them).

  11. The SF Marathon

    08. Sep, 2010

    Unfortunately we have to agree here. Even though it can be tough to get into a favorite race or event, there are reasons for prohibiting bandit runners. There are all sorts of liability and results related issues that arise when a runner participates without an official registration.

    Although it could be tempting to run a race you didn’t sign up for (or get into), it’s best to obey the policies and play by the rules.

    Great article!

  12. Ann

    08. Sep, 2010

    I am rule follower too but I am beginning to think these large races are taking advantage of their popularity. Some of them open registration the day after the event and then it closes out within the week. Yes, life happens but they know they are a popular race and they know people will sign up. They also know that by having people sign up a year in advance they will have far more drop outs than they would if they waited and they are counting on this. They should have some way of deferring. I totally disagree with not being able to sale the bibs. The fact that some of the races have a system for this tells me that it is possible. And it is far friendlier as well.

  13. Sarah

    08. Sep, 2010

    I agree that some races need to do a better job on the transfer period. But for the people that selling/buying the numbers/bibs I don’t agree with. There are plenty of other races out there. Go run one of them.

  14. Christine Jensen

    09. Sep, 2010

    I think that the rules should be followed, but that races should be more flexible when it comes to transferring registration. Let’s face it, races are expensive (ok maybe to some they are not, but to the regular joe out there running for fun with no sponsors, etc, they are) and to pay for a race, but then get injured and not be able to race, I would want someone to be able to race for the money I paid…even if I just gave them my entry..no money changing hands…

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