TW8K race director: Bandits should not cross the finish line

8 Comments

1. 

   Gary September 30, 2009

   Thanks to the race director and timers who put on TW8K. I enjoyed the race (for the 4th time) in beautiful Asheville weather.

   Remember critics – organized races are a labor of love. Nobody is making big money on these events, and many races lose money. So anyone who wants to support the Asheville running scene needs to pony up and pay for their race. If you don’t want to pay, then come cheer, volunteer, or run the route on your own time.

   As for crossing the line, EVERYONE (except this one bandit) knows you don’t cross the line unless you’re registered. You are likely to mess up the official timing, which is the main perk the other runners get for their entry fee. If you mess up the timing, dozens of runners complain to the race director, and may not race again. Erroneous timing is one of the worst things that can happen to a race director. That’s why the bandit deserved the stern lecture he got.

   And don’t get me started on running with earbuds… On your own time it’s fine – take your own risks. But in an organized race, where the director is required to take out liability insurance and hire police to direct traffic, you should show the respect of paying attention. There are plenty of opportunities to escape reality while running. Racing down Patton Avenue is not one of them.

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2. 

   FJK September 30, 2009

   I prefer calling non-registered race participants “ghost runners”, which sounds cooler. I think it also shows more respect for them as athletes, which they are. “Bandits” makes it seem like they’re stealing something – and they are – if they enter the chute and cross the official finish line. Once they do that, they are congesting the area in which volunteers are guiding registered runners and the “ghosts” are just getting in the way. If they want to run the course with everyone else, keep their own time on their own watches and peel-off when they hit the end of the race – that is totally cool. Those who don’t need to grow-up and understand that using the race as a training run does not support the event. It’s that simple. They may not know it, but putting-on road races costs money and they are just sucking from the hind teat.

   In the big picture, what they do as is really no big deal. Relative to the total count of participants, their numbers are few. I must admit, I have always enjoyed their renegade aspect, although I’ve never personally participated in an event in which I did not pay the entry fee. I have run 15 marathons, many half-marathons, 15-ks, 10-ks, blah, blah, blah. I started racing way before shoe-chips ever existed to track times or runners. There is no doubt I am old school. But the reality is still the more people running into the official finish-chute and across the line creates congestion and more hassle for organizers. Another body, plus another body, plus another body eventually leads to problems.

   I agree there is no reason for anyone to get crazy about any “ghost” – no physical confrontations should ever happen. To race organizers, I suggest they simply say ask them to move along – politely get them out of the way. If that non-registered runner then heads over to volunteers handing-out water, bananas, etc. – then those “ghost runners” officially suck. There is nothing anyone can do about that. “Love all, serve all” is bullshit when most other runners are paying to participate in a benefit race and would like some nourishment when they finish. But don’t try to stop the leeches. Just hope that karma eventually comes around.

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3. 

   WTF September 29, 2009

   I agree with Miss Daisy, and I run many local races (and have run this 8K).

   No need to blow a stack about a bandit.

   1 jerk out of 200 paying, charitable participants is no big deal. And yes, I think he is probably a jerk…but ripping his earbuds out is going way too far.

   The race timer needs to chill, pronto.

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4. 

   Faster then you September 29, 2009

   Let me see if these facts could be right:

   No entry fee means, no device to tie to your laces to keep your time. Wouldn’t this mean that even if the guy crossed the finish it would not matter except for him being another body, but not a finisher, technically.

   I still don’t know what the big deal was. He was running, maybe training, thus supporting the event by just showing up. From what I have gathered the Bandit was clothed so not to be a distraction.

   If race organizers are going to be Nazis about it, they will ruin organized racing in a whole. If a guy even touched me for being a Bandit I would have him arrested for assault or defend myself because I thought my life was in danger.

   Was this race organizer an Asheville City Fireman that hates people that get exercise?

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5. 

   Miss Daisy September 29, 2009

   Whatever. Still seems harsh. Even if he stole a banana too. Love all. Serve all.

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6. 

   Ken Miller September 29, 2009

   Miss Daisy, if a person can’t afford to participate in a race, then he should just run the course some other time. The course was posted on the website. Why not just run the course the next Saturday morning? Or the following morning? Traffic is reasonably light in Montford and downtown early on Saturday mornings. The "bandit" could have safely run it another time.

   Also, if you see a person wearing a pair of running shoes and an MP3 player, please, go ahead and assume that he can pay a $20 or $25 race fee.

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7. 

   Miss Daisy September 29, 2009

   Many good points made by both folks in comments on the original post, and true that unregistered folks shouldn’t cross the finish line. It was the whole confrontation/assault angle that troubled me. Maybe the dude didn’t know he was messing up anyone’s world, and could have been counseled nicely? I’d like to think that the confrontation wasn’t as ugly as first presented, but this: ‘People who steal from non-profits and charities might be the most despicable thieves of all,’ makes me suspect it might have been. Maybe it was just a random exuberant runner clowning around. We don’t know. Why not err on the side of being nice? I don’t advocate ‘stealing’ from local charities. I participate (lamely) in many local events and always pay my entry fee. But if someone can’t afford to participate and wants to run the course, maybe they can pay the next time. I just like everyone to be nice. I’ve heard nothing but good things about this race and will run it if/when I can run/walk/limp that far.

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8. 

   Homer September 28, 2009

   This guy needs to relax….Ill make sure myself and all i know never support this racing event.

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