Not that rare. First year race, things happen. Doesn't mean they should but I always expect something to not go perfectly the first time thru. 5-6 guys went off course last year at Ironman Texas 70.3 last year (almost 2 years now) when the race has been around for a long time.

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Aren't their bikes alongside the lead runners? Sounds like WTC amateur hour in Cartagena.

This year there was a change. Lead bikers are supposed to NOW stay behind the runners. Not sure if that was the case here. Regardless, I had a lead motto this year take the wrong turn on a bike course. I made the correct turn. Once I made the turn the motto 180 and got back on course. Fortunately I had just pre-road the course 3 days prior and I knew the course.

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Yes this was a mess.

Swim was delayed 45min because they had to clear boats from the harbour, or something on the bike course which is what they told us while we hung out waiting. Start cannon from the iconic navy ship went off 5 strokes into the swim haha.

We are all waiting to hear what the results are. Not sure if the front guys made a wrong turn or the course was modified before they got there. In any case, when I got to the point in question, I was in ~8th, ~10min I think down, and the run course director was out there redirecting runners. He had moved the cones, even moved the tape arrows. When we came around for the second loop, the course had been reverted to its original layout, and I along with those behind me, did a full second loop. The top 5 only ran about 10k it seems.

This all happened to the women too. Looks like the only ones who did a full 21k were those a little further back, avoiding the course jigging.

We're meeting later today to hear a final verdict.

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Group Eleven – Websites for Athletes / mikael.racing / @mstaer

Sounds like quite the mess. The biggest one I had ever been apart of was at Desert Classic Duathlon a few years back, can't remember if Rapp was there that year but Jason Pederson won it. I remember some guys got so lost in the Desert, signs had blow down, that like the Hoff disappeared and ran like 2-3x the length of the actual course. These sort of things can be real mental challenges and especially at the end of a long season. Keep us posted.

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some updates:

Looks like the woman's race was clean. Didn't seem like it out there but who knows...

Men's race is now split in two. One for 11.2km run and one for 16.2km run.

Prize money awarded to both groups as normal. First group is three people, second has remaining finishers.

Of note is second place in 16.2 group actually ran full distance. However they have used the 16.2km split to determine ranking. That person is the rightful winner imo.

By all accounts I have heard, the top 5 went off course on their own. After that, the run course director redirected everyone afterwards to follow them, then changed the course again for the second lap and it seems most women and of course age groupers.

As per rules, they should have been disqualified immediately. Either pulled off course or at the finish line. Those who were sent off course by Ironman staff should not be DQed, again as per rules.

In the end, no one will be happy with any decision.

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Group Eleven – Websites for Athletes / mikael.racing / @mstaer

FWIW, I was running second at the time and was ushered up the ramp. I tried to go the course, but was prevented from doing so. On the second loop I was running in first and was directed by the run course director to do the full lap (which I did), and the 3 guys behind me were told to do the partial lap (assuming the director thought they were still on the first lap).

The reason that no one was DQd was because everyone did what they were told by IM staff to do...that is what made it such a tough situation. Mario was running in 5th on the first loop and ran the shortened first loop with all of us, then added a 3rd small loop at the end to get to the 13.1 miles so did not run the official course either.

I think the results are the best case for everyone given a tough situation. Not sure who told you that we went off course on our own...not sure what happened with the leader on the first loop, but I was certainly directed up the ramp on the first loop.

That clears it up!
I heard what I wrote from a few others, talking post race. But obviously not correct, all heresay.

I'm just bummed we didn't get a smoother race. Despite the crazy heat and humidity, it's a fun course and interesting location.

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Group Eleven – Websites for Athletes / mikael.racing / @mstaer

So I know Matt messaged and said he was co-winner? What do the rest of the results with. Are you saying there are 2 complete podiums???

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Yes two podiums.
I don't want to post the results yet in case there are changes.

Race 1 with 11.2km run contains only three finishers. Race 2, 14 finishers.

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Group Eleven – Websites for Athletes / mikael.racing / @mstaer

Ironman just needs to make it right now and pay the women just like the men. I was the 3rd female so it makes a huge difference. Jeanie atleast did the correct distance and then some but going by the rules, everyone should be DQ'd that didnt do the exact course. Thats clearly not happening so the women should be payed just like the men.

superfit08 wrote:

Ironman just needs to make it right now and pay the women just like the men. I was the 3rd female so it makes a huge difference. Jeanie atleast did the correct distance and then some but going by the rules, everyone should be DQ'd that didnt do the exact course. Thats clearly not happening so the women should be payed just like the men.

According to this prize money distribution is the same between men and women. Is the way they are handling the screw-up changing that somehow?


http://www.ironman.com/...s.aspx#axzz4S4yYDj6U

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Ed O'Malley
www.VeloVetta.com
Founder of VeloVetta Cycling Shoes
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I agree 100%.
Not sure what led them to the decision on the women's race. It got just as whack.

Did you run the full distance? Correct course or altered? How many women were affected by the on-the-fly changes?

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Group Eleven – Websites for Athletes / mikael.racing / @mstaer

I ran the whole course, as well as all of the other women except Jeanni. Rules are rules but clearly IronMan is not following the. :(

Well actually, the rules are that if you don't run the correct course on your own accord or follow the directions of a volunteer, you will be DQ'ed. We (the men) were redirected by Tom, run course director - rules state that you must follow Ironman Staff directions.

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Group Eleven – Websites for Athletes / mikael.racing / @mstaer

IF thats the case then Jeanni screwed.

the correct route was into town, then the wall, then back to T2 and repeat. The final 400 metres was an out and back with a 180 200 metres up the road. All the women did the course as prescribed, except Jeanni. She went wall (misdirected, not her fault), T2, town, wall, town, T2, was about to win by 4 minutes - and I think that win would have stood - but then she blew past the 180 into the finish and ran an extra 1200 metres. There was some talk that she'd done 3 walls but I only had 2 scans for her on the wall so I don't see how that could have happened unless she turned around part way along the wall. So that's why there aren't two women's winners.

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Sylvan Smyth | http://www.sportstats.asia | sylvan@sportstats.asia | Starvas