DC Pattie wrote:
Each time I run Boston I always wonder about a small percentage of first wave runners (no more than 5%) were their bib number is such a mismatch to their running speed and outward physical appearance (way overweight) that I become suspicious. Because there's just so many USATF "certified" races - certainly some BQ's each year are via coursing cutting or some "arrangement" with a race RD. BTW, her punishment should be a mandatory marathon followed by a camera crew to show the world her true marathon capability.
Good job sneaking the backdoor brag in there :)
With Boston's 16-month qualifying window or whatever length it is, I suppose it's possible someone qualified like a boss, and then work, or injury, or a baby, or whatever occurred. A person can gain a lot of weight and lose a lot of fitness in a year. But yeah.... I would also probably also think "how the fuck did this person get way up there"
My own "cheating" experience:
Two years ago, at local 5k turkey trot, my 10-yr old boy took 3rd in 14-and-under AG (front door brag). Last year, he moved up to 2nd place in same event. That second race, I happened to actually look at results. First place was a 6-yr old kid who had same time as an adult with same last name, so I'll assume it was a parent. I then looked at previous year's results - same deal - that 5-yr old kid won with same time as his parent. Looks to me like the parent registered the kid and pushed him in a stroller? Regardless of how it occurred, don't you think the timing company or RD would notice something odd about a 5-yr old kid winning a 14-and-under AG?