Hmmm, yeah, this topic has never been visited before.

;-)

I think it is great when family can share the experience.

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Member of the Litespeed Factory Team
www.litespeed.com

There was a cool article in Triathlete about this a few months back that got a lot of people stirred up. I think if you are beyond a certain time and you're not getting in the way of other racers, they carry away!

It takes a lot of time and commitment from the athletes and their families to get to that spot, why not take them along for the big moment.

As long as they don't interfere with other competitors I don't see a problem. Hopefully it will help motivate the children to get active and participate in physical activities.

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John
"A profoundly peaceful run; a gift to myself" Frazz

I have no problem with race finishers picking up their own kids and carrying them across the line. However, I am opposed to race finishers picking up random children in the crowd and crossing the finish line with them. This has gotten out of hand and we have to put a stop to it.

Don't mind it as long as it isn't interferring with others trying to finish. I was watching some of the finishes yesterday waiting for a friend and some dude decided to stop, pickup his kids, and carry them across the finish line. As people were swerving to get around him or just plain stopping behind the family. While everyone looked cool with it I can't imagine being 5 feet from the finish line and have to stop while someone gathered up kids and crossed the finish line. Screws up the finish line photo. :D

http://forum.slowtwitch.com/...t_reply;so=ASC;mh=25;

All 282 posts of that particular thread....enjoy!

It boils down to sportsmanship. If grabbing your kids, your grandmother, the dog and your mailman to share the experience of crossing the finish line with you doesn't compromise anyone else's hard-won finish (and photo)- then by all means- celebrate! But if there are a large number of finishers headed into the final mile with you and you sense the finish chute will be crowded- show some consideration and cross as a good sports(wo)mam with the rest of athletes.

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Tom Demerly
The Tri Shop.com

i just completed my first at IMCDA after 9 months of neglecting a 20 month old and my 3 month pregnant wife. I finished sub 12 and crossed the line with wife and child in tow. Did I interfere with anyone else..no I actually let another guy go by and enjoyed the last 50 meters of the finish chute with my wife and child. I'd do the same thing again unless I was racing for money. The pictures and memory alone were worth every extra second it took to cross the line. Do I care what someone else thinks...no.

Why people take their families to an IM is beyond me. It's not really a vacation. I think taking your young kids to an IM, having them wait for 12-17 hours in the heat or rain or whatever while you finish is the real travesty. They get to see you in T1, T2, and maybe once or twice on the course. Most boring spectating sport in the world.

I don't see any issues with carrying them across the line. But please try to keep them home.

>>Do I care what someone else thinks...no.<<

Nice attitude. MEMEMEMEMEMEMEME

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clm
Nashville, TN
https://twitter.com/ironclm | http://ironclm.typepad.com

People carrying kids are a danger to themselves and others and should be shot and thrown in the same pit of despair with all the ipod wearers and dog owners.

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Kat Hunter reports on the San Dimas Stage Race from inside the GC winning team
Aeroweenie.com -Compendium of Aero Data and Knowledge
Freelance sports & outdoors writer Kathryn Hunter

I wanted to share my opinion about this with you all, except that:

- I'm friends with the baby-stroller-across-the-Kona-finish-line guy and his family.
- I coach the first-guy-across-the-finish-line-carrying-a-baby at IMAZ 2006.
- I coach this guy who carried his baby when he won a sprint last week.

So yeah, my hands are kind of tied here... ;-)

 I coach this guy who carried his baby when he won a sprint last week.

Where on his wetsuit did he carry the baby? That is impressive indeed!

I agree with you 100%....as long as everyone else gets their pictures it is all good with me.

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http://www.procompression.com - Athletic Performance Socks
discount code ES20 20%

pit of despair with dog owners? Where does Mikey Vick fall into the big picture?

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______________________________________

"thoughts become things, choose the good ones"

You forgot the smokers, fat people and 16 hour finshers!

Sue Bonness

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Support Crew
This information contained herein has been assembled for your assistance and convenience. It is believed to be reliable, however, its accuracy cannot be guaranteed. All opinions shown are subject to change without notice.

No attitude really. I was sitting here with my wife as I was typing this and we were laughing because she too is a triathlete and IM is a goal of the two of us. I was very aware of my surroundings and was sure not to impede anothers progress or block someone elses photo. I didn't actually carry my daughter because I was too tired. If it was all memememe then I would have crossed without them :-)

I clicked on this thread hoping there'd be a new funny video of some guy stumbling at the finish line with his family on his back. Those are comedy gold.

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there was no one chasing us... distance is its own reward.

Some grown-ups at WTC and USAT needs to go ahead and outlaw this.

It does pose a risk to other runners. 99% of the time it doesn't, but you can say the same thing about a lot of other rules the USAT/WTC has.

It cheapens the sport. I just don't why your kid or your wife or whatever would WANT to cross it with you. Sure, they tolorated and supported you, but they didn't do the race. It's in the same league as when at one IM i was at - and just barely finished under the allocated time - the announcer asked the crowd if they could extend the official finish time by 5 minutes (and the crowd cheered 'Yes!').

I'll 2nd Tom's post - exactly how I feel.

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auto-DQ

It cheapens the sport.

You do realize they offered a bike/run option at IMCDA this year. If you didn't feel like you wanted to try swimming, it wasn't a problem. I know there were folks who did one lap and then just decided to skip the 2nd lap and start with the duathon folks at 9am.

The sport has already been significantly compromised. Is finishing with the kid/dog/wife/girlfirend really the dagger?

Yeah, and once I saw a clydesdale pick up a small old lady by mistake and run across the line with her on his shoulder. She pissed all down his back and it served him right.

I agree with Learn, why would anyone want to cross the line. I do think it should either be banned or there should be a second chute. The way you did it, is probably the best should someone proceed (letting the guy pass you). I don't think you should be shot, banned, or tortured. It is something WTC should enforce and make it well known that it will be heavily enforced, and then ACTUALLY enforce.

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"...it should be swim, bike, run, cage fight." - el fuser
"I noticed that I am in your sig line! Wow! That's s first for me. Thanks." - Fleck

i hope you assign running intervals where the athlete must carry a 15 pound bag of potatoes during the last few reps ...

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Where would you want to swim ?

I would have just gotten in the middle of them and held hands or something. No difference in me being in their photo if they're going to be in mine.

Different strokes.

The family caused a minor disruption at the end of a 12+ hour journey for a few people. I'm not one to stop 5' from the finish line or pause or feel like I should have to swerve so someone else can have a moment. At the very least he should have paused and allowed other to pass until it was clear.

As far as the picture I'd rather not have to explain to people every time they'd look at the photo who the hell the family was that wasn't mine.

It is a violation of the rules and I would never bring my family across the line with me and they wouldn't expect me too. The first time a family member crosses with me will be when my daughter actually races one and I may be too far behind her by then to get in the picture :)

I know that it has become a big thing to some people to grab a photo op with their supporters to compensate for all the "sacrifices" they have made to allow them to finish. If they are going to allow it and promote it, I just wish that IM North America and the WTC would add a second chute so that people who actually are racing and do care enough to try and "sprint" to the finish to reach whatever goal they have set for themselves never have to encounter a wall of somebody's family blocking their way.

Is this just a North American thing or do the IM races in Europe and Australia have the same "problem"?

On another note, a one IM race that I was at a guy came across the line with his young son and then he promptly collapsed. The volunteers were then forced to deal with his medical problems and trying to find someone to look after the kid which obviously is another problem with the family photo op.

That's nice in theory but in practice it doesn't happen. How many people decide oh sorry it's too crowded honey you can't come with me even though I told you you could and you waited here 12 hours. Anyone doing that should be DQ'd, period as far as I'm concerned. It's against the rules. You would consider it outside assistance would you not? I've done one 70.3 race and of course some idiot was in front of me with his kids strolling thru the chute blocking the entire width of it. If I had hit one of his kids with an elbow as I ran past them whose fault would it be? mine? bullshit. I wondered about it afterward because to be quite honest after 70.3 miles I wasn't exactly thinking clearly. I was thinking about finishing strong like I do at the end of any race, whether it's a 5K or 70.3 . I can't believe people actaully think it's right to do this.

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"the trouble with normal is - it always gets worse"

- Cockburn

It seems like everytime I see a family, kid or dog crossing the line with the athlete, I wonder if the non-competitors really care if they are crossing the finish line, or if the competitor is just doing it to make himself feel better about neglecting his family for a race.

Just out of curiosity, I was recently told by someone who should know that to do this there is: 1) a separate pen that your family has to go to; 2) you can't take a bus load of people out there - 2 or 3; and 3) you can't carry kids in case you drop one. I take it some smoke was being directed to the location of my.....?
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Born again Heathen
In Case of Keith Moon - Break This Glass
Ironman Certified Coach
USAT Certified Coach
Precision Nutrition Certified

[reply]>>Do I care what someone else thinks...no.<<

Nice attitude. MEMEMEMEMEMEMEME[/reply]

I agree! I'm so over the self centered 30 and 40 something no kid MOP'ers who get their panties all in a wad when a mom or dad bring a kid through the finishing chute. Waah, waah, waah that your 14 hour finish is delayed three to five seconds!

I agree! I'm so over the self centered 30 and 40 something mom or dad MOP'ers who get their panties all in a wad when a competitor wants to run through the finishing chute with the best race time they can. Waah, waah, waah that your 14 hour finish is a family photo op!

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Just Triing
Triathlete since 9:56:39 AM EST Aug 20, 2006.
Be kind English is my 2nd language. My primary language is Dave it's a unique evolution of English.

Do they get finishers Tshirt and medal too???

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It hurts so bad, it feels good.

I have to say that I am very annoyed at the whole kids/gogs/grandparents/neighbors crossing the finish line, I just don't think it belongs in a race, and it's not fair for everyone else. I really don't see the point, if no one started that, whever they did start that, who would even think that it's ok to do so?

For the record, I love kids, love my grandmother and my family, but I just came back from IMLP, and I can't tell you at how annoyed i was, as a spectator, to see strollers/dogs/families ALL OVER THE RUN AND BIKE COURSE. WTF?????????????? These people were clueless, athletes coming by and swerving, unbelievable... maybe it's because i am an athlete? I would just think common sense applies in those situations, period!

Other than day, it was so much fun to spectate:-)

To me you just sound like another elitist triathlete, and there's plenty of those around this place! You elitists disgust me!!!

Can't you understand that triathlon is an individual sport and that each racer is doing HIS OWN RACE??? So it's ok if he/she gets to do what he wants the whole race. Remember that no man is an island and race day is also for all those that supported the athlete getting to the finish line. So why is it not OK to have family and friends cheering you on? What if the cheering gets in the way of the other people racing, it's not like you're going to win the race!!!

i get really annoyed by people like you. I have my wife and 3 kids very excited about crossing the line at ironman canada. They are part of my training and preparation, my wife cook my meals and the kids clean my bikes and have painted me aero helmet. They mean a lot to me and i want them to cross the line with me as they are also all ironwife and ironkids, and i have all intention to have the new member of the family, Simba, our yellow labrador cross the line with us!

hope you will understand on day that it s all about who cross the line with the bigger party of friends.....

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Jonathan Caron / Professional Coach / ironman champions / age group world champions
Jonnyo Coaching
Instargram

ah ah ah "wife and 3 kids" THAT is funny!

please dont be disrespectfull.....you forgot my yellow lab!!!!!!!!!

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Jonathan Caron / Professional Coach / ironman champions / age group world champions
Jonnyo Coaching
Instargram

I couldn't agree more, Jonnyo! I'm glad you understand how us common age-groupers think!

Here's an idea: Why not allocate 5-10 second slots for finishing? The organizers can put a gate before the last turn into the finish straigth, that opens every 10 seconds. The athletes and respective family can wait there until their turn comes and the gate opens. Then they'll have the finish chute all for themselves, where they can be all alone sharing some wonderful and unforgetful moments!!!

The thing is, you never hear them whining...

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http://irondad06.blogspot.com/

http://irondad.blogspot.com/

LOL - I was about to reply to the dude. Nice one! He admits he neglected his 20-month old and pregnant wife during training. The 50 m he enjoyed with them in the finishers' chute is supposed to offset those months?

On the positive side, the inclusion of family can only secure the future of IM racing and help encourage kids (and families) to adopt a fitter lifestyle, but it doesn't necessarily have to be running through the finish chute w. them!

IMWA is going to be my first IM and, because I don't have a wife or family, I am going to grab about 90 cheering spectators around the finish chute to run in with me. Obviously this will take some coordination as I recruit, so I hope the people behind me will understand and just wait. It will be one hell of a finish line photo though!

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"...it should be swim, bike, run, cage fight." - el fuser
"I noticed that I am in your sig line! Wow! That's s first for me. Thanks." - Fleck

[reply]
I recently completed an online survey from WTC. One of the questions was whether I cared about people picking up their kids from the crowd and carrying them across the finish line. Do people really care about this? I've done 4 IMs and at every race people have done this. It didn't affect me one bit. Who really cares??[/reply]


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I ran across the line with my 3yr old daughter last year and it was the highlight of my race. She still loves watching the finish video. I would recommend and encourage it!!!

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SUPPORT OPERATION REBOUND:
http://www.operationreboundcalifornia.kintera.org/ejs3

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Macca Fan Club

I can't believe people actaully think it's right to do this.

I wonder where the tipping point was with this phenomenon. 10 years ago it was not an issue. There was the occasional person that did it, but it was no big deal. The race announcer may have made mention of it, and then it was forgotton - on with the race. Now, it seems like every big triathlon I go to ( and I just returned from IMUSA where I saw record amounts of this happening) it seems to be more and more prevelant. What happened? Why was it that 10 years ago it was rare, now it's common. Are the athletes today that different? At IMUSA on the weekend at certain times, it seemed rare for a single athlete to be crossing the line on their own!!! So clearly we have tipped.

Again, I note that in the rule books it clearly states, that it is not allowed. 300m further back on the course and this is called pacing, but in the last 50m it's OK. Call me confused.

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Steve Fleck @stevefleck | Blog

I've always been extremely tempted to grab the finish tape as I run through and hold it up like I just won.

I'm running out of "finish line moves" to keep those photo's looking good. Next year at IMCDA I'll be flashing gang signs as I run through.

>>, I just don't think it belongs in a race<<

Well, there is the problem! It's not a race, it's an "event".

clm

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clm
Nashville, TN
https://twitter.com/ironclm | http://ironclm.typepad.com

Well, there is the problem! It's not a race, it's an "event".

Yes and no. The problem is that for some/many it is an event. Nothing wrong with that. However, we have the bizarre situation that i just witnessed several times yesterday in Lake Placid of the
guy(s) having to dodge not one, but several of the multi-person family finishes while they raced to the finish line. For the family-photo guys it was an event, in every sense. For the other guys it was clearly a race to the line. Perhaps the latter group where older AG folks actually racing for a podium spot in their AG or a spot for Kona. Why should they have to bob and weave around these other folks?

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Steve Fleck @stevefleck | Blog

I think my gate idea has some merit, though...

I agree with you, but what really surprised me as I was waiting to see Jetlink finish, great race, that a lot of the very first age group men that finished had family with them.

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http://bigisland-will.blogspot.com/

I was shocked by some of the things I saw. For example, this family had a woman smoking, a child screaming, an unleashed dog and the athlete himself was wearing an iPod!

agreed

maybe you could push it as a 'outside help on the course'

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~The B
The new poster child for triathlon...Pretty Boy Billy
(lets see if that sticks)

At my next IM I am hoping that I can get you to run across the finish line with me!

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http://bigisland-will.blogspot.com/

 that a lot of the very first age group men that finished had family with them.

That's right. So, again, it sounds like we tipped. What happened? What changed? 10 years ago this never happened with the Pros and FOP AG folks. It was rare in the whole race and when it did it was more BOP. As I said in a previous post, yesterday in Lake Placid at certain times it was odd to see a solo finisher running to the line!!!!!

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Steve Fleck @stevefleck | Blog

I was completing my first IM (Nice 2005). I was cuising home in a blistering 15 hours and 52 minutes. My two young daughters (7 and 4) ran out and started to follow me down the chute. I was petrified that this wouldn't be allowed and I picked them up and carried them back to my wife and then ran back over the finish line on mh own.

To this day I regret not carrying them over the line when I realised that others were doing it. They had all waited until 10:30 that night (ahem I had rather complacently spoken of finishing at around 7:30 pm and taking them all out for dinner). I would have absolutely loved that finish line photo. I hope not to have many regrets in life, but that was certainly one of them.

At IM SA thre of us walked/jogged the last 21K together and we picked up one guy's two sons as we approached the finish chute and all walked across the line together. It was cool.

I think a bit of lattitude is accorded for finishes over say 12 hours. Its perhaps a little busy to be doing that earlier

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TriRaceBook.com
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Hawaii Qualification Analysis

" At my next IM I am hoping that I can get you to run across the finish line with me!"

Paulo you could wait by the new "gate" and run in with each person who doesn't have a family entourage there :)

   I'll bite, everytime this topic comes up I can't resist.. It isn't that big of a deal except for the fact that I have seen people dragging out everyone from their kids all the way to 3rd and 4th cousins out for an impromtu finish chute reunion. Sometimes they are totally fine and it is a heart warming event but quite a bit of the time they get in the way of other finishers and often when they do get past the finish line, provided they haven't already gotten in the way up to the finish, they often just stop just after the finish line only prevent people from finishing. I remember watching a one time and seeing finishers almost forming a line just before the finish line because some jackass and his couldn't get his family out of the finishing area.
I am glad to know that the joy you receive by having your family finish with you superceeds the joy other participants get from going through the finish unencumbered. I am glad that my $100 finishers photos look more like the Smith's family reunion than an IM. Want to share a moment with your kids and wife that you neglected for a year...go to Disney World. When people graduate, even though their families are usually a huge part of getting them to there, you don't see them bring up their mom, dad, kids, and aunt Ester.
FWIW, having a few kids running up with their mom or dad is not what I am talking about, I am talking about the people who bring 4 or 5 people across the line with them. I have heard that they supposedly limit the number of people that can finish with you but I haven't seen it.

There is actually a process for which your family (not sure about how many) has to register prior to being allowed to cross the line with you. They are given a different arm band nd asked to sit in a specific area closer to the finish line so you don't bother anyone else. I know it doesn't always work out this way but in my case it did.

Yes yes, I really like the gate Idea. I have one suggestion to improve it. Since undoubtedly the gate will cause a delay and the time in the finish photo will be inaccurate, I suggest that at the gate, you are given the option of entering what ever finish time you want on the clock, so that your finish photo will truly be a great memento of your family outing.

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Just Triing
Triathlete since 9:56:39 AM EST Aug 20, 2006.
Be kind English is my 2nd language. My primary language is Dave it's a unique evolution of English.

Haven't read all the posts, so sorry if this is redundant. I don't have a big problem with someone having a kid run in with them, if it doesn't get in the way of any other racer. I've done it myself, but my untimate priority was the other racers. What I will never understand is the person who brings a spouse or parents across. It's usually under the theory that "they earned it to! They helped ME get here!" Frankly, I can see how some little kid (not a baby) might get a kick out of it, but a spouse? A 60-year-old parent? Bringing an adult across with you, in my opinion, somewhat infantilises the racer. It's first grade all over again.

man, a lot of you whiners need to HTFU

=)

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Kat Hunter reports on the San Dimas Stage Race from inside the GC winning team
Aeroweenie.com -Compendium of Aero Data and Knowledge
Freelance sports & outdoors writer Kathryn Hunter

"Again, I note that in the rule books it clearly states, that it is not allowed. 300m further back on the course and this is called pacing, but in the last 50m it's OK. Call me confused. "

Technically, you are right, but when NA Sports has a system whereby families register to run across with their participant, they have wristbands to identify them, and they have a separate area to stand, all set-up by the RD, well it seems maybe it isn't against the rules in NAS races. There's the source of your (and everyone's) confusion.

Last year when I did Lake Placid I didn't have any friends or family there so I had to hire some spectators to run across the finishline with me. Next year at Lake Placid I plan to have the local high school marching band escort me across the finish. Lets see anyone top that.

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18x Ironman, 3x Hawaii
US Army (Ret.), Vietnam Vet ('71-'72)

Fleck, after 15 Ironmans, I finally ran across the line with my son.

But wait...it was no procession. I told my son that he better have his A Game on and that we were going to RACE to the finish in a full out track sprint.

So I came around the final bend and checked around to make sure I was wrecking no one else's finisher picture and I shout out, "OK Brandon, you better start sprinting". So my son puts a bit of a surge on and it is getting tough for me. He looks back and sees me closing the gap doing my best Michael Johnson 200m imitation. Then he puts another surge on and looks back like, "Old man, is this all you have....you can't even catch me". So I put on another final surge digging deep but the 10 year old smokes me to the line.

I have to say, that was a blast and I certainly made sure that in our little sprint game that we got in no one's way! I've only bought three finisher pictures in 15 Ironmans...my first at IMC in 1991, my Kona picture last year, and this one. My son is putting it up in his room as evidence that I got smoked :-)

Dev

PLEASE leave your dog at home. that's insanely dangerous and most dogs are FREAKED OUT by the flurry of the day.

maybe you were being sarcastic??? hope so.

what about my fish, Nemo or my cat Sylvester??? They are part of my ironman journee! Would i be allowed to cross the line with my bike also??? OGOPOGO as been there with me on every single rides!!!!

ok....enought laughing about this, i do respect that everyone as a different view of what there ironman journee is, and that finishing is the goal of many when others compete and race for prize money or kona slot. It just important to be considerate and aware that there is other people around and when you cross the line with your 5 girlfirends, 2 ex wifes and 6 kids and your pet Nemo and Simba and Sylverter.....GET THE HELL OUT OF THERE AND CLEAN UP THE SPACE..... only ATHLETE have the priviliege to stand there for ever and enjoy that moment..... others needs to go back behind the fence after passing the line.....

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Jonathan Caron / Professional Coach / ironman champions / age group world champions
Jonnyo Coaching
Instargram

Why are you being such an A-hole. Believe it or not, there are new people here who were not here in October. Nobody is forcing you to look things up or respond. The search feature while useful, is not flawless. If you aren't interested in a thread, ignore it. Don't get on and basically call the guy out for not knowing there was a thread about this subject 9 months ago.

I love this forum, but some people really aren't that accepting of new people. Make it tough to become a poster instead of a lurker because seems like there is always somebody screaming that a new poster should have searched prior to posting.

Ok, I am new, so flame away.

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"It takes courage to do it, to be a runner. We all found that out a long time ago. Because it's about more than fatigue. It's about pain, and dealing with it for a long time. And its about resolve." - Quentin Cassidy

Technically, you are right, but when NA Sports has a system whereby families register to run across with their participant, they have wristbands to identify them, and they have a separate area to stand, all set-up by the RD, well it seems maybe it isn't against the rules in NAS races. There's the source of your (and everyone's) confusion.

I have heard this also. I also heard there was an age qualification, something like 3-10yrs. This is probably reasonable for most and would stop the huge family, stroller problem. Now they just need to enforce it! Have security at the entrance to the finish chute. Only allow the preregistered people to meet their kids at a gated point in the chute.

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Support Crew
This information contained herein has been assembled for your assistance and convenience. It is believed to be reliable, however, its accuracy cannot be guaranteed. All opinions shown are subject to change without notice.

"2 ex wifes "

Now there's an idea. I'd like to get my ex-wife near the finisher's chute so maybe she would get trampled.

Hi Support Crew. I was actually surprised when my son crossed the line with me that he had a wrist band, my race number marked onto his hand and my wife had to return some piece of paper to some NAS police booth after my son was retrieved past the finish line out of the 'tears and cheers' zone :-). So yes, it is an "official system", but the athletes who use it need to be aware of their fellow competitors. If you can't sprint across the line and get out of the way of the next guy who is racing, then just wait till he gets by and do your trot to the finish.

Bingo.

Isn't this one of the reasons that USAT and NA sports went separate ways a couple years ago? USAT sports did not allow kid carrying & family toting. However, NA sports thought that it added to the whole atmosphere of the spectacle and since they did not want to do anything to upset their cash cow have allowed it to continue and have even grown the trend.

I stood at the IMLP finish for only 30 minutes, in the 10:30 - 11:00hr finish range and saw at least 20 athletes stop for family members, of these only 1 stopped and turned around to make sure he was not interferring with others before proceeding to cross the line. I saw at least 3 entourages interfere with racers behind them. I personally don't have a problem with athletes finishing with their children however if NA sports wants to continue this trend they may want to run the kiddy corral like the cross walks near the finish line i.e. only let the athletes continue with family after they verify that the coast is clear. Basically the "gate" idea, but only for those with family, friends, pets, etc.

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"Never daunted, I will cope with adversity in my traditional manner....sulking and nausea" - Tom K. Ryan

Go Cyclonauts!

Why can't this be resolved like they do at most big marathons? You RUN across the line alone, it is a race after all, and establish your finish time. Then after the line of medal givers and space blanket people there is another distant coral that you can stand with your family in front of one of several nice big fancy Ironman backdrops. If they want to go a few steps further, they can put your time up on a clock or superimpose it digitally. To make it even more of a circus sideshow, they can even have cardboard cutouts of your favorite pro (or coach) you can pretend to be racing against, whatever.

I can't comment on it interfering, but in my First IM in AZ I will be dissappointed if I have to slow down at the end for a family crossing. It is a race against the clock, others and myself. And yes I do have a family. And I realize it is stupid to worry about seconds after a 10 or 15 hour race but it is a race.

Fleck, there is your answer

Indeed, there seems to have been a sea-change in 10 years. Ten years ago I had the opportunity to do this with my then one month old son when I did my last race at IMC in August 1997. However, the thought never occured to me at the time and I have no regrets that I did not do it then or now. Back then it was very un-common amongst just about all race entrants to do this.

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Steve Fleck @stevefleck | Blog

At all Ironman races I watch I see people that are there racing alone and they don't have anyone waiting for them at the finish line. It's so sad to see that, it's almost as they didn't accomplish anything when they cross the finish line.

I think that maybe Janus or other charity should set up some volunteers to be somebody's family and cross the finish line. We could perhaps start out the Be-My-Ironman-Family Foundation for those poor bastards that cross the finish line alone. EVERYONE SHOULD HAVE A FAMILY CROSSING THE FINISH LINE WITH THEM!

Come on people, we can make this happen! Slowman, turn this into a sticky post!

LEt's build the Be-My-Ironman-Family Foundation!!!

Two weeks after I finished my first triathlon, I received my masters degree. My husband made quite a few sacrifices of time and money for that moment, yet my university wouldn't let him stand next to me when I got my diploma!!!

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"Real winners aren't content with yesterday's victories"

When you enter the oval and start rounding the first bend you should be able to look back and see if there is anyone behind entering. When you reach the gate at the end end of the turn, there is no reason you can't beat the guy behind with your kids if you have a 50m lead. If you don't have a sufficient "lead" then just stop and wait till the coast is clear!

I just finished LP and my son ran in with me. He was in a holding corral and my husband had to sign a waiver for him. I didn't expect him to be there, but he has run in with me before and was expecting to do it again. I just let him run next to me. He is 9 and its no big deal once they're that age, but when he was younger it was more dangerous for him and the other atheletes trying to finish.

I wish NO ONE was allowed in the finishing chute except the athletes. I don't particularly want to worry about my son's safety or whose way he might be in at that point. But when he goes to these races and sees all of the other kids doing it he is crushed if he can't as well. And my husband basically caves and lets him do it.

I went immediately to the med tent since I had been sick all week. I couldn't focus on where my son was and they wouldn't let him follow me back to the med. area. He is old enough that I didn't need to worry too much about him, but if he were younger there would be the problem of the volunteers trying to hold me up and get me medical attention plus having my son wander around unsupervised until my husband could come around from the holding corral to find him. Plus it adds to the congestion of the finishing area when they are trying to assess the athletes and keep everybody moving, take off the timing chips, etc.

I think it is TOTALLY ridiculous to have anyone besides children running through (which is dumb in itself). You're grandma? You're brother-in-law? You're grade school teacher? How about you're priest or shrink? WHY would an adult who didn't run the race even WANT to run through the finish line? It seems ridiculous and I would be pissed if I was being held up because someone had to drag their entire extended family through. It is a race after all. I was trying to break 14 hours and if it was only a matter of seconds I would have been really mad if someone's old auntie had gotten in my way. Jesus, after all that work let me have 10 seconds to enjoy the accomplishment without dodging a bunch of people who don't need to be there.

Tell your family daily how much you appreciate their support. Thank them on race morning and take a moment to stop and hug them when you see them on the course. But keep them out of the finishing chute and let every athlete have the few seconds they deserve to enjoy the finish.

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"If God had wanted man to play soccer, he wouldn't have given us arms." -- Mike Ditka

CindyJo, I agree with you. While it was cool having my son run with me, the reason why he wanted to run was because he sees all the other kids doing it. But I told him that I am still in a race and it will be a race to the line :-). I am glad to not have to go to the medical tent, but if I did have to go, it would be a pain to coordinate synching my son back up with my wife amidst all the traffic.

Dev

Why are you being such an A-hole. Believe it or not, there are new people here who were not here in October. Nobody is forcing you to look things up or respond. The search feature while useful, is not flawless.

Now, there's two ways to respond to your post, one is in a manner that I'm tempted to, dripping with sarcasm....and the other is to say "hey, this topic has been covered in depth before and on numerous occasions...here is another discussion that might be interesting and on point...."

You can interpret it whichever way you like. Interesting to note that you immediately jump to the conclusion that I'm an "a-hole" (btw, it's okay to spell out asshole, Dan won't ban you for it unless it's in the subject line...I think...) by doing a search myself and posting a link to a rather lengthy thread that someone not here in October wouldn't have seen...

...or something like that.

:-)

This happened to my sister in law at IMMoo a few years ago. She wanted to break 12 hours and was held up by two families in the chute, including an extended family of at least 8 people. I was there, I counted. She finished in a few seconds over 12. Her finish picture had the families in it. She was also racing for 5th in her age group. Of course 6th was also held up too.

Support Crew

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Support Crew
This information contained herein has been assembled for your assistance and convenience. It is believed to be reliable, however, its accuracy cannot be guaranteed. All opinions shown are subject to change without notice.

Some of you who are against carrying children through the finish line and having family support around- what is your opinion of Dick Hoyt?

http://www.teamhoyt.com

He carries his son through the entire course!

Many of these events are family events. Many of us have spouses and children who put up with our long hours of training. Being able to have them at the race is a great boost. While I don't allow my 5 year old to run through the chute with me- he is right on the side lines yelling- "Go faster Mommy! Go Faster!" So I have to put on a good hard finish for him. My husband will then bring him around to the back of the chute where I'll let him wear my medal and ask him if I ran fast enough for him.

As for having a group of people in front of you slowing you down so they can get a family photo finish- trying to get through a line of slower swimmers, its the same as having the people walk through transition in front of you or the bikers who ride all the way to the left so you can't pass them, cars pulling out in front of you on the course, lack of directions on the course- its just another item to deal with. It depends on how you want to deal with it. Jump in the photo with them and wave your hands all over the place. Yell "coming through" and plow through them. Slow down and wait so you can have your own finish photo.

If this is something race officials don't want to happen, then they can make an announcement prior to the race, make announcements throughout the race at the finish line warning against this and offering family photos in another area after the race. The Disney Marathon offered a post race picture area so you could have one taken with family and friends.

Cathy:

I have come to realize over the years that any of these big races (thousands of competitors) is only a race for a couple of hundred people and an "event" for the rest. Tim

I didn't say you were an A-hole. Only that you were acting like an one.

Perhaps I have reacted too strongly. But your first response was unnecessary and probably did nothing but probably make the original poster feel like he had posted something worthless. Thats the feeling I would have had if the first response to one of my threads had said that. Then you follow it up with the link which in and of itself is fine. However, my perception, and its merely my perception is that you were calling the poster out for posting something that was nothing but a waste of time.

I see this type of stuff alot, and not just in this case. Where responders basically say, "DO A SEARCH" to anything that has been discussed in the past. As a new member, it makes me hesitant to start a thread, figuring that as a newbie, my questions or ideas are probably a waste of time.

In the end, although I admit I was pretty harsh, I was trying to point out that the responses like your first one, or others stating that a search should have been done prior to posting a new thread, are not helpful. Not only are they not helpful, they may keep new people from becoming a part of the forum. Perhaps that the reason for them, I don't know.

Just sharing my thoughts

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"It takes courage to do it, to be a runner. We all found that out a long time ago. Because it's about more than fatigue. It's about pain, and dealing with it for a long time. And its about resolve." - Quentin Cassidy

I didn't say you were an A-hole. Only that you were acting like an one.

Ummm....

"Why are you being such an A-hole"

But anyway, no worries overall...I know with my first response to my thread it set things up as though I was being critical, etc., which is why I just followed up with a link to that rather lengthy thread without comment. We were all newbies once and it's not my intent to try and chase away anyone. I think that is rather pompous of anyone to believe they could do that, but I suppose it does happen.

And as this thread has played out, it's obvious that even though this topic has been brought up and discussed at length a number of times in the past that there is still plenty more to say about it....so to the OP, nicely done in starting a thread with this much activity.

And I always love the "I didn't call you such and such, just that you were acting like such and such". I've used that line many times before...and I never meant it. I really did mean to say you were a such and such....

;-)

No problem carrying the kids across. I plan to run with my 17 year old daughter across the Kona finish line.
At IMLP we were astounded at How many kids some finishers had. We couldn't count them all sometimes. What a bunch of breeders!
We wondered how they find time to train and make all those kids? :)
Stacy
konaboundstacy@blogspot.com

You do realize they offered a bike/run option at IMCDA this year. If you didn't feel like you wanted to try swimming, it wasn't a problem. I know there were folks who did one lap and then just decided to skip the 2nd lap and start with the duathon folks at 9am.

Surely these people didn't get the same award and stuff. They just did a duathlon. Different story. Many tris offer duathlons.

If you do it in these surroundings and win, people may even think more of you :-) (This is the winner of Norseman Xtreme Triathlon 2004: Rune Høydahl) Picture from http://www.hicksnett.com.

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Bent Olav Olsen, recreational triathlete?

>>At all Ironman races I watch I see people that are there racing alone and they don't have anyone waiting for them at the finish line. It's so sad to see that, it's almost as they didn't accomplish anything when they cross the finish line. <<

I will be all alone in two weeks at Vineman. Will you fly out so you can run across the finish line with me? Or maybe I can borrow Oleander, LongBoarder and Mrs. LongBoarder?

Oops, it's not a "real" IM so never mind.

clm

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clm
Nashville, TN
https://twitter.com/ironclm | http://ironclm.typepad.com

Deal! Now we just need to find a dog!

I cried when I read that

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Forget speedwork. Speedwork is the icing on the cake and you don't have a cake yet. - MattinSF

Basically they have 9 tenants, live life to the fullest, do not turn the cheak, and embrace the 7 deadly since. - TheForge (on satanists)

AGREE!

I wonder what people will say when a kid gets seriously hurt? Probably will blame the guy or gal trying to qualify for whatever, break x hour mark, please a sponsor or whatever.

My suggestion was have two finish areas;

1) competitive - race to the line

2) non-competitive - family finish line, bring your entire nuclear family...but it is a no passing zone, so if people stack up because some kid crapped his pants and fell down...tough for everyone.

At the FL 70.3 four racers I was battling it out with for 4 hrs and 59 minutes had to come to a scretching halt because some dick head had his three daughters in tow. None of us finished under 5 hrs and his finish picture has all three of his girls looking behind them...at us. Nice photo dad! I'm looking forward to racing you next year you ass.

When my friends children asked me why we (he and I) don't finish with the kids my response was,
"That is unsportsman like and inconsiderate behavior toward the other people I'm racing with."

[reply][reply]
I will be all alone in two weeks at Vineman. Will you fly out so you can run across the finish line with me? [/reply]


Deal! Now we just need to find a dog![/reply]

Not a problem! I think we could come up with a gaggle of kids too. Maybe Cousin Elwood will stop over and can play the role of grandpa.

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clm
Nashville, TN
https://twitter.com/ironclm | http://ironclm.typepad.com

How about the kids carrying you across the line? Is that OK?
In my case, nearly dragging me across the line.

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Proud member of FISHTWITCH: doing a bit more than fish exercise now.

[reply]


At the FL 70.3 four racers I was battling it out with for 4 hrs and 59 minutes had to come to a scretching halt because some dick head had his three daughters in tow. None of us finished under 5 hrs and his finish picture has all three of his girls looking behind them...at us. Nice photo dad! I'm looking forward to racing you next year you ass.

[b]When my friends children asked me why we (he and I) don't finish with the kids my response was, [/b]
[b]"That is unsportsman like and inconsiderate behavior toward the other people I'm racing with."[/b][/reply]

case closed end of story.

someone lock this thread.

what's happened is the team in training attitude.
just finishing is what it's all about who cares what your time is.

I do.

now get the hell out of my way.

but if it's gonna happen anyway, why not sell those passes like the theme parks do, so you don't have to wait. you can be transported to the finish and have your photo taken with your family at your pre-determined time.

i mean really , why should you have to wait? or work.

Screw it it's all about MEEEEEEEE.

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"the trouble with normal is - it always gets worse"

- Cockburn

My first IM was IMAZ, and while I really wanted my kids (5 yo twins) to run across the finish line with me, I seriously debated doing it. After reading all the slowtwitch posts I was nervous about how it would be received. However, come race weekend I knew I really wanted them there and they asked if they could do it after seeing countless IM movies. At the start of my final run lap, I saw both boys sleeping peacefully on my mom's lap. I realized then how sad I was that they wouldn't be crossing with me and already imagine telling them about the finish when they awoke the next day. However, just as I rounded the finish line corner, my family called out to me "Bridget, here are the boys!" They had woken up to finish with me and it was wonderful. No one was in front or close behind me, so it was just the three of us. I will never forget their words of excitement as we ran down the finishing chute about what great runners they were! They were so excited and it meant so much to all three of us. I am not generally a rule breaker and I try to be considerate of everyone's feelings. In this case, I will be forever grateful that I went against what some people advise, but I am also grateful I didn't ruin someone else's finish line photo. In my finish line picture boyth boys have the most amazing smiles on their faces and I am visibly laughing, something I never thought I would do at the end of an IM. Will they run with me at the end of my next IM? Well, that is up to them. However, one has already asked me to be there for him when he completes ironman south africa. -Not sure where he came up with that race, but I did promise to be there for him!

I think it is TOTALLY ridiculous to have anyone besides children running through (which is dumb in itself)...

...Jesus, after all that work let me have 10 seconds to enjoy the accomplishment without dodging a bunch of people who don't need to be there.

Case in point of why this will never be resolved. People can't see beyond their own self-interest long enough to realize their kids are among those who don't need to be there.

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The devil made me do it the first time, second time I done it on my own - W

I am all for carrying the kids across the finish line BUT I draw the line when I see them getting permanent M-Dot tats, that just aint right


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You obviously didn't get my point. I don't think anyone should be running across the finish line except the athletes. I don't think my kid should either, but when he stands there watching all the other kids doing it my husband doesn't have the heart to tell him that he can't.

I think that having the kids do it IS DUMB IN ITSELF, but I understand why kids would want to do it - they don't fully comprehend what the race is and it just an exciting thing for them to do. What I don't get is why any adult who didn't do the race would want to do it. I just find that bizarre. [code]

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"If God had wanted man to play soccer, he wouldn't have given us arms." -- Mike Ditka

I don't get your response.

The reason I race is to see how fast I can move this body while managing a family, graduate school, travel and 60 hrs of work a week as a consultant - just like a lot of folks on this board. 5 hrs in a 1/2 IM is a big deal for me and my top 2008 goal. I missed in FL and several others missed by a few seconds because of the competitor with his 3 girls jogging and clogging the finish area in the FL 70.3.

I don't race to impress anyone, but a considerate competitor probably would have allowed me to achieve my goal this year. I race as a test of my fitness and perhaps I'll have to add a jammed up finish to my calculations in the future. 5 hrs is a fitness notch that I want to carve in my belt and it will have to wait another year as I have one half left that is very hilly and not a 5 hr course for just about anyone.

When I race my only concern about you as my competitor; 1) that you achieve whatever it is you are trying to achieve 2) you don't get hurt and don't willfully or accidentally hurt others 3) you allow others (including myself) to do achieve our goals in a sportsmanlike manner

If you cannot understand that it probably says a lot about you.

[reply]You obviously didn't get my point. I don't think anyone should be running across the finish line except the athletes. I don't think my kid should either, but when he stands there watching all the other kids doing it my husband doesn't have the heart to tell him that he can't.

[.code][/reply]

Why can't your husband just say "It's against the rules and all those people are breaking the rules. We don't do that."

Because it isn't against the rules. They even had a family finishing pen in the oval with a big yellow professionally made sign and IMNA had waivers for the parents to sign. Like everything else NAS it was a well-oiled machine.

Although with respect to rule breaking, I wonder if the same people drafting (blatantly!) on the course or having people on bikes pacing them on the run are the same ones complaining about the kids in the finishing chute. I wish those CHEATERS would think: "It's against the rules and all those people are breaking the rules. We don't do that." I wouldn't even hand my husband my cycling jacket when I saw him on the course b/c it is technically "against the rules."

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"If God had wanted man to play soccer, he wouldn't have given us arms." -- Mike Ditka

[reply]I am all for carrying the kids across the finish line BUT I draw the line when I see them getting permanent M-Dot tats, that just aint right


.[/reply] now you open the whole can of worms about how fast mom or dad has to finish for the kid to get a tat, or if tats are only ok if you get carried over the line in Kona etc. All kidding aside I do not think that those who do not do the race should cross the finish. However nas and others obviously disagree. My observation about LP is that the meet up area or whatever they call it was pretty damn far from the line. Looked to be about 100 yards, sure seemed far from the top of the oval to the finish. I was certainly in no shape to carry my 60 lbs of kids that far at that point had I wanted to. If they are going to allow it they should make it easier.

Something has changed in our soceity and I am not sure what it is. I asked way back in this thread where the tipping point came with this phenomenon, cause not too many years ago this was not an issue.

From a philosopphical stand-point it seems that every wants to be involved directly or have other family members involved in this sort of thing.

Have you ever been to a kids triathlon? I have been to a few and there is some bizarre stuff going on in the younger kids races. Many parents actually run around the entire bike loop cheering their kids on and then they do the same on the run. Why?

Have you ever been to a Rep level hockey or soccer match? It's obvious that MANY parents based on their language, their body language and what they are doing are seriously living vicariously through what their kids are doing on the sports field. Why? Can't parents just sit and watch and enjoy the match. A women ( who cheers loudly and relentlessly and talks to her son constantly while the match is on) sitting beside me at one of my son's match's comments to me that I am being rather quiet. I tell her that I just enjoy watching the kids running around and having fun. She looks at me like I am from outer-space!!

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Steve Fleck @stevefleck | Blog

My wife and I did IM CDA last year. Our Moms wanted to come and spectate, but I explained that it would be pretty damn boring. We then encouraged them to volunteer for the race, so they did. They did a 4 hour shift at the end as catchers. They timed it right so that they were able to catch both of us as we crossed the line. Luckily they had first shift so they were catching mostly pros and faster Age Groupers so the puking and fainting was minimal.

For those racers that want to include family members in the event, get them to volunteer. They get a nice t-shirt and they don't have to stand around all day.

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Trieatalot

It's a C minus world.

You obviously didn't get my point. I don't think anyone should be running across the finish line except the athletes. I don't think my kid should either, but when he stands there watching all the other kids doing it my husband doesn't have the heart to tell him that he can't.

No, I got your point. It's that even though you understand the concerns and mostly agree with opponents of the Ironfamily finish, you're powerless against the will of your children, and their wishes take priority over other racers and their right to an unimpeded finish.

I don't mean to sound like a smart-ass, or imply that I think less of people who choose to do as you do, but that's ultimately what it boils down to. No need to tip-toe around it.

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The devil made me do it the first time, second time I done it on my own - W

This generates 5 pages of discussion? Over something that is allowed by the race director? areyakiddinme? How about the cheating assholes drafting between Keane and Jay? How about the sherpa imitating idiots that litter the course with crap for the 1st 5 miles? How about the ankle pulling SOB's in the swim? How about the rule ignorant asses that ride on the left down into Keane? But crossing with kids? C'mon.

To those who don't like it: get over it. If I want to do something that is allowed, I will do it. You not doing it is your choice.
To those that do like it: be respectful, be sports(wo)man like. Don't screw up someone elses race. And if the race doesn't allow it, don't break the rules.

Dev,

I saw your finish - your son did smoke you. I worked the Family Finish Pen from 7:00 - 12:00 (good place to volunteer - get to watch the pros and race all day and then volunteer where you can see the late finishers). By the time I got there we were running low on waivers, were out of wristbands and the kids were coming so fast and furious it was ridiculous. We started writing the number on the parents hand to allow them to pick the kids up - but the pen after the finish that was supposed to be there wasnt - meaning we had no where to gather the kids until the parents showed up.

We tried to restrict it to children but with a crosswalk on the oval and a crosswalk right out of the oval - people just entered there and ignored the protocols.

And then there was the parents that didn't know their spouses number, or the people that were watching three other families kids and kept coming back to register more kids. By about 8:00 it was utter chaos, there were only two of us left in the tent, everyone seemd to have three or more kids and people kept stealing the pens. There were so many kids waiting that some kids missed their parent because they couldn't get out - felt bad but I kept telling the kids "I don't know what your mom/dad looks like. You have to watch" One mother stood there waiting with her kids from about 9:45 to 11:50 - there was one worried look on her face - guess he started the run at about 3:00


The family finish pen is a good idea - but needs a lot of refinement and education for the parents as to the process.

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"which is like watching one of your buddies announce that he's quitting booze and cigarettes, switching to a Vegan diet and training for triathalons ... but he's going to keep snorting heroin." Bill Simmons, ESPN

Here is another thread concerning IMC in 2006 that was quite heated. So this is a hot button topic, like it or not.

http://forum.slowtwitch.com/..._reply;so=ASC;mh=40;
This was the original post since edited that set the fireworks in motion (not to mention that he outed the two athletes by name!!)
I would like to send out a big thank you to two athletes. I hope the immaterial 6 and 3 seconds you gained sprinting in front of me while I was running up the finish line of my first IM holding hands with my three year old daughter was worthwhile. You completely ruined my finish line photos. I note that neither of you were under any immediate threat for your age group position. Good for you proud Ironmen.

I have to answer this, now that my boyfriend's finish at IMLP was ruined due to this. A guy had his two kids in tow with my boyfriend dutifully trying to stay behind. He was finishing in 11:52 so he was one of the faster folks and all he wanted to do was get a picture, but just as the guy hit the tape, one of the kids fell and my BF almost tripped on him, as well as the other people that almost fell b/c he swerved to miss the kid pile up.

I don't care if yout take your kids, but don't interfere with someone else's PR or finishing moment. Not to mention that it is unsafe since the kids aren't aware of all the other runners around them.

But as a side....they aren't entered...they really shouldn't be crossing the finish line anyways, should they? If not, then I should be able to bring my mom or my dog across.... :)

It will all come to an end as soon as some jerk sues NAS for his/her kid getting hurt. Only a matter of time...

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"If God had wanted man to play soccer, he wouldn't have given us arms." -- Mike Ditka

It would be great to have fun with this and come across the line with a monkey, snake, and/or parrot. "Ace Ventura, you are an Ironman!"

Hence why we were making the parents sign waivers.

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"which is like watching one of your buddies announce that he's quitting booze and cigarettes, switching to a Vegan diet and training for triathalons ... but he's going to keep snorting heroin." Bill Simmons, ESPN

Unfortunately, as an attorney I know that a waiver is basically worth the paper its written on. Plus, another athlete could get hurt tripping over someone else's kid. I don't agree, but I'm just saying...

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"If God had wanted man to play soccer, he wouldn't have given us arms." -- Mike Ditka

I saw that waiver and it was pretty funny. As you are well aware a waiver won't cover negligence. Think I would rather be arguing the other side when someone gets hurt. Pretty sure a reasonably prudent person would not encourage people who have been racing for 10-17 hours, clearly exhausted, to carry a couple of kids through a congested area filled with other participants racing to the finish line.

Actually, in many states, waiver will cover ordinary negligence. It won't cover gross negligence.

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Steve Perkins

Someone asked a good question, which wasn't really answered...

Is this phenomenon as prevalent in Europe?

You can watch the video that was just posted at ironmanaustria.com and see that it does happen in Europe too. Can't speak about the prevalence, but its there.
Unfortunately it makes for good pictures so intentionally or not the RD's (Including Kona)promote bringing kids across the line by including it in the video. If they really wanted to stop it they would simply not include that footage, but they won't because it looks good to the TV audience.

In Kona, 2003 I saw a 65-69 year old man sprint past another athlete at the finish line while literally dragging his 3 grandkids across the line. This was past the 16 hour mark. It's funny that while tons of people are reporting that their finish was ruined or at least inerferred with by another athlete's family, not a single person will admit that their family got in anyone's way. Selective amnesia. I'm sure the video would tell another story. Lets be honest, If you cross the line with your family you are not thinking about anyone else's finish but your own.

On a related note: I was at Mountainman Last Sunday. There were 71 participants in the half Ironman. One of them did the Blazeman roll at the finish. I predict there will be at least 20 doing it at Kona this year. Good luck dodging the rolling bodies, extended families, and people who's story is better than yours.

Gary Mc

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Gary Mc
Did I mention I did Kona

Quote:

One of them did the Blazeman roll at the finish. I predict there will be at least 20 doing it at Kona this year. Good luck dodging the rolling bodies, extended families, and people who's story is better than yours.

Yeah, like in Kona in 1997 when Joe almost tripped over these two self absorbed women who were crawling to the finsh line. I guess they were thinking they had a better story.

Support Crew
Warning: This post may include sarcasm.

Gary Mc

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Gary Mc
Did I mention I did Kona

i totally agree with you. training for an ironman is a huge commitment for not only the athlete, but the family as well. I don't have a family of my own yet, but i would be honored if my parents and boyfriend came to watch me race and cheer me on. in fact, if neither was not at the race, it would make me wonder if i was making triathlon too much of a priority over relationships and family. it doesn't really get in the way for someone to bring their child/dog/husband or whatever over the line, and if someone is not a pro and is worrying about a potential extra three seconds and the quality of their finish photo, i would feel very sorry for them.

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"What am I on? I'm on my bike busting my ass for six hours a day. What are YOU on?" - Lance Armstrong

But don't you see the other side, and how people feel very sorry for those that don't understand it is a finish line for the RACERS, and not for the family, and the concern about someone getting run over or dropped?

Personally other than space, I don't see why they don't have 2 finishing chutes, one for solo competitors and one for those who want a group photo.

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Just Triing
Triathlete since 9:56:39 AM EST Aug 20, 2006.
Be kind English is my 2nd language. My primary language is Dave it's a unique evolution of English.

Fish, hook and line... uh.... Hooker, line and sinner... uh... Hook, sinker, line and fish.... uh... Hook, sinker, line and fisher!!!

Are you serious??? Frankly, I don't care at all about my finisher's photo's anymore, but if some Jackass and his mom, dad, grandma and dog got in my way when I was finishing I wouldn't be happy. The "correct" thing to do is to make sure you aren't even potentially in ANYONE'S way. If you're bringing a kid or two across the line YOU have to wait and lose the time in order to make sure you don't get in someone's way, not the other way around. (It's always fun to watch a family of five spread out holding hands while they take up the entire road and slowly jog the last fifty yards to the finish.)

Years ago I was watching the live TV coverage of IMC long after I finished my race and went back to the condo. I saw some "idiot" who was finishing in around 16 hours get down and start doing push-ups about ten or fifteen feet from the finish. When he was done he jumped up and literally sprinted right into a guy who was trying to run around him. I wish the guy would have clocked him.

Do you mean "hook, line and sinker"? (Maybe where you come from it's different) If it was a put-on it was pretty darn realistic and it got me.

edited to indicated proper responder....

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Was mich nicht umbringt, macht mich stärker.
"What does not destroy me, makes me stronger."
-Friedrich Nietzsche, Götzen-Dämmerung (1899)

Do you have that on your business card?

I have never posted on this forum before, but as the wife of an Ironman finisher, some of the attitudes demonstrated in this thread compelled me to respond. I have been around the sport of triathlon through both family-member age-groupers and a previous job working with the pros back in the old days (Tinley, Allen, PNF, etc.) When my husband graduated from 10K's and duathlons to triathlons, our daughter was 2 years old. We attend every race that my work, her school, and our budget will permit.

He never carried her across a finish line, but we watched other competitors' children join in, and by the time she was 4 she wanted to do the same. We have always planned ahead so he knows where she will be, and she knows she needs to get a head start and run as fast as she can. I make certain she is in no other competitors' way, and he will slow and let others pass if necessary to avoid compromising someone else's race. She wears tennis shoes, not flip-flops or crocs as I've seen some others do. We're talking about 1 able-bodied child, not an entourage. Joining him in this way is the highlight of her trip to whatever race destination, as it is for us as well. It isn't just about the photo; it is about the memories made in all of us plus the racer's recognition of the support he receives.

For those of you too self absorbed to notice: unless you live alone, triathlon is NOT an individual sport. Your family members miss you and worry about you when you're training, suffer through your endless tales of Brick workouts and nutrition plans, share their home with your nasty laundry, and extend meager family budgets to fund pjorn-worthy bikes, race entry fees, Cytomax, and Hammer Gel! Our daughter thinks of herself as part of a team with her dad, whether she is cheering him at transitions, running across a finish line, or riding her trail-a-bike on the local trail wearing her matching jersey. She proudly tells people she meets that her daddy is an Ironman.

As we do every other race, when he completed his first IM (FL '05), we scouted out the finish area the day before so we could be sure how it was going to work. When she and I set up camp at the finish line on race day, we got there at least an hour before I really expected him and talked to all of the staff in the area to make sure we were doing everything right. They didn't have a family holding area, but they did have a staffer controlling the last crossing point in the chute where she and the other kids could join. She was 5 at the time and had to give it all she had to run that long uphill chute, and we made certain there was a big gap behind him. The huge crowd was cheering, they were both beaming, and it made long, hard day -- and a long, tough year -- worth it.

The next 10 minutes, however, were some of the worst in my life. The actual finish area was so crowded I couldn't get anywhere near the fence despite running 3 complete loops around trying to find a way. Even though my husband looked healthy going past me, I knew from experience that racers can collapse once they cross the finish line, and he might not be able to take care of himself, much less our daughter. Staffers wouldn't help find her or let me in no matter how much I begged and tried to explain my concerns. Finally he was able to push his way OUT through the crowd to deliver her back to me. Thankfully he was in good enough shape to do so, otherwise we might have had a lost 5-year-old scared to death because her daddy was sick, with no clue where her mom was.

His next full IM is Louisville, and we will all 3 be crossing the finish line together. I have never joined at a finish line before and will feel incredibly self-conscious doing so, but I won't send her alone with him at a big, crowded race ever again, especially at an IM where he might need med tent time. At local races I just run around to the food tent exit so she can rejoin me while Dad refuels. Obviously, this strategy doesn't work at IMNA/WTC-scale events. (Yes, it is an event, which surrounds a race.) After finishing so many other races with him, and seeing others do so, she would feel completely short-changed if she didn't get to be part of the team at the race that has dominated our household for a year. We will follow whatever procedures the staff dictates, and we will make certain that we don't interfere with anyone else's finish. This is an important part of my husband's life, which makes it important to all of us; as long as his "team-mate" wants to do so and the RD permits it, we will find a way for her to cross finish lines with him.

For a bit of perspective, our racer is an upper MOP AG kind of guy; unless he miraculously cuts more than an hour from his time, there are no Kona slots or Top 10 AG rankings in jeopardy when he is finishing. I appreciate the competitive spirit that drives a person to want their time to be the very best, but there are no paychecks riding on these precious few seconds, and if you lose bragging rights with one of your buddies, you can blame it on the %$&*ing slow family at the finish, who just happened to be in front of you. ;-)......and for you "ultracompetitive" geeks that are all about "elbowing kids out of the way".....you are going to have to catch her first!!

Wow, cant wait till she is on the Highschool track team and wants dad to joiner her running across the finish line just like she use to do with him.

Thought after your incident you were going to say you realized it was not an appropriate place for a child, and were going to explain that to her. Oh well guess I was wrong again.

I kinda feel sorry for my kids, they get to hear no your not registered in the race you can't run with daddy, just cause the other kids are does not make it right. We will celebrate together after daddy is done.

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Just Triing
Triathlete since 9:56:39 AM EST Aug 20, 2006.
Be kind English is my 2nd language. My primary language is Dave it's a unique evolution of English.

Does anyone know of any other race / event this happens at.

Does it happen in Marathons? No this is not sarcastic I really wonder.

I know it does not happen at graduations, (even adults after night school) or auto racing. Just wondering.

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Just Triing
Triathlete since 9:56:39 AM EST Aug 20, 2006.
Be kind English is my 2nd language. My primary language is Dave it's a unique evolution of English.

"and extend meager family budgets to fund pjorn-worthy"

Self absorbed can apply to so many areas in ones life.

Unless your husband is 70 years old, don't count on it. Talk about self-absorbed.

>>and is worrying about a potential extra three seconds<<

Those three seconds can mean Kona or not. To some people, that is extremely important.

clm

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clm
Nashville, TN
https://twitter.com/ironclm | http://ironclm.typepad.com

 but as the wife of an Ironman finisher...[/reply] Do you have that on your business card?


Paulo, you just gave me the inspiratin for my first tatoo!

Support Crew

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Support Crew
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Interesting comments...."I'm in front of you, so fuck off, I'll take as much time and space crossing the damn finish line as I please...live with it..."

That about sum it up?

Here's a true story that happened to me the other day:

I was waiting in line at a coffee shop. The guy in front of me moves and steps on my toe. I told him "Sir, you're stepping on my toe". He replies that he has come a long way to be at that line. That he hasn't tasted real coffee in a long, long time. That to get there, he had to endure a lot. I told him "But Sir, you're still stepping on my toe". Then his wife comes up and steps on my other toe. And keeps going about how she was always there for the guy, how she endured a lot to get there, how it's their right to be there, and me and my aching toes can just wait. Finally the line moved and I was able to order. But my toes still hurt.

Paulo, you never cease to amaze in your everlasting ability to crack me up.

But where was the stroller?

;-)

Since you summarized...perhaps I can remind everyone of some exact words from the post

" We will follow whatever procedures the staff dictates, and we will make certain that we don't interfere with anyone else's finish. "

Folks the point is, the practice is currently condoned by the RDs, can't the event be enjoyed by each racer in their own way??

"Since you summarized...perhaps I can remind everyone of some exact words from the post

" We will follow whatever procedures the staff dictates, and we will make certain that we don't interfere with anyone else's finish. ""

Though you contradicted that statement with others in your post, but presumably if you do make good on the second part of that sentence, no qualms here.

But..."can't the event be enjoyed by each racer in their own way" is an incredibly loaded question, and the answer of course is, no...

The problem---among a host of others---is that each racer "enjoying the race in their own way" will inevitably lead to a complete and total disregard for others around them. All in the spirit of "enjoying the race in their own way".

Doing things "in their own way" tends to end up "in other people's way", unfortunately...

The RD does NOT permit it, they tolerate it. It is against the rules. Those precious few seconds may not be a check, but many of us, like your husband, have worked our asses off to trim off as many of the seconds as possible. Your post is nothing more than the ole "me, me, me" post in the guise of "oh, no, it is for our daughter". If it is that important to her, sign her up and follow the rules and have your husband tow her around Hoyt style.

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"...it should be swim, bike, run, cage fight." - el fuser
"I noticed that I am in your sig line! Wow! That's s first for me. Thanks." - Fleck

Unfortunately no some guy with his wife and kids is in MY way sao I cant enjoy it in my own way.

Maybe someone will meet there significant other at the finish line, and they will truly show their love for each other right there in front of you kid. Is that ok?

Oh wait I can see it two guys are running in at about the same time, There kids are released by their parents and the kids start racing each other to the finish, forget Dad, Im going to beat that other kid to the finish. Now that would be hysterical.

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Just Triing
Triathlete since 9:56:39 AM EST Aug 20, 2006.
Be kind English is my 2nd language. My primary language is Dave it's a unique evolution of English.

I am suspicious of anyone on the tubes calling themselves a 'woman' but given that you meet Jack Nicholson's character in 'As Good as It Gets' description of a woman ("I think of a man, and I take away reason and accountability"), I believe you.

You are very wrong about something. This is an individual sport. Just because your husband makes you suffer through it (do you bring that big heavy cross out whenever you want the latest Channel offering?), he is still the one training and doing it. Some people may negotiate and get support from sponsors, family members, coaches, fellow-athletes in the form of $$ or time or encouragement, but it's still ultimately an individual sport.

I was going to ask you if you wanted a medal, too, but Paulo had the best zinger so I won't try to compete with it.

So you say what a big deal it is - and then you describe exactly why it should be outlawed - IN THE SAME POST.

Tell your daughter if she wants to cross the line, she has to earn it and go do the 140.2 (?) when she turns 17 or 18. It will give her a better sense of self-esteem and teach her to better value and strive for her achievements.

I've seen the look on Tri-Wog's daughter's face at finish lines and heard her talk about the Ironman... it's priceless. It adds greatly to the satisfaction of the whole Ironman experience when I see that kind of impact on their daughter and others like her. I've also enjoyed words of encouragement from Mrs. Wog during races as I'm sure MANY of you have too without even knowing it. Wouldn't it be ironic if some of you found out later that the target of your sarcastic remarks was the very person who cheered for YOU when you were suffering during a race or didn't think you could make it?

Without all the Mrs. Tri-Wogs and kids out on the course... you might notice something missing on your big day... like the fans who support YOU too.

Tri-wog's "team" will cheer and encourage every athlete they see... and be there to get medical help immediately for anyone in need. They are without a doubt a "team" of givers to the sport and not "takers".

Last year Tri-wog drove all the way from St. Louis to Madison to VOLUNTEER at IMMOO. Yup... he was there in the freezing wind and rain ALL DAY to help YOU pull off your wetsuits, catch YOUR bike and he stayed until midnight in the finishing chute to congratulate YOU and CHECK ON YOUR SAFETY. If a few seconds in the finishing chute after his race is all the payment he and his family will accept for the good things they do for others and the sport... then I believe it is the rest of us who are the true beneficiaries.

Mrs. Wog... I hope you enjoy your first trip through the IM finishers chute at IM Louisville!

Not exactly good reasoning:

a) the child likes races (that she in reality will have difficulty remembering in 5 years)
b) the wife cheers
c) the athlete volunteers
therefore:
a) to hell with the rules
b) potentially ruining other people's races is ok
c) this is somehow not a selfish act

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"...it should be swim, bike, run, cage fight." - el fuser
"I noticed that I am in your sig line! Wow! That's s first for me. Thanks." - Fleck

I'll play along... since my reasoning is "not exactly good" try considering this...

In response to:
b) potentially ruining other peoples races?


Situation A) No support anywhere in sight since all family members have been told they need to stay home and aren't part of the race and/or EVENT. A suffering Ironman athlete is ready to give up during the race... accepts DNF (DNF=RUINED RACE)

Situation B) Mrs. Tri Wog ( or somebody like her ) is there and gives the same athlete the encouragement he/she needs... at just the right time. The athlete continues and may or MAY NOT have 5 seconds added to their finishing time instead of a DNF

I would hardly call Situation B "potentially ruining other people's races" when we are talking about middle of the pack and may or MAY NOT even be talking about 5 seconds of time on the race results page instead of a DNF.

In response to :
c) this is somehow not a selfish act

Generally speaking... when you're talking about a child or a spouse... for a middle of the pack finisher... my opinion is that it is not.... selfish that is.... at least not for the vast majority of families and competitors I know since most triathletes in my experience comprise a kind and supportive community and certainly not for the TriWog "team" as they are some of the most selfless people I know in the triathlon community (hence the volunteering example I gave in my previous post).

However, if one bad apple were to exceed the boundaries of common sense and good taste by bringing their dogs, cats, cousins, brothers, parents, kids, sisters and anyone else they could round up to go through the finishing chute at one time.... you could call it classless, inconsiderate or cheesy and I wouldn't argue.... but that was not the scenario that was presented and it is certainly not the scenario I chose to defend.

Tied ringing cowbell! Paulo, you have the IRONMAN fever, right..and the ONLY R/X is more cowbell.

Seriously, this thread is not only sickening (in that anyone cares if the other racer carries their kids with them across the line) but silly. Hawaii? How many on here can say that someone else carrying their kid cost them a Kona slot. Zero, nada, zilch. Step up (with race, bib #, time and how you were shafted outed of your Kona slot) or shut up and find something remotely interesting to carry on debate, comment about.

It is a nice sight to see when competitors do this.

Peace out!

Well put hammerheadny. I was thinking it.... and then you said it... both better and faster than I would have. Amen.

Has there every been a finish line "crash" where people have been knock over etc at ANY triathlon?

I understand both sides of the argument, maybe a "clone" finishing gate just past the real one for family pictures.

It obvious in your reply that you have not trained correctly to be an under 5hr tri athlete. You need to train on finish line tactics just a much as T1, T2 transitions.

Go to your local supermarket (the narrower the aisle the better) and practice running up and down the aisle passing the large families blocking the aisles.

To be worthy of being an under 5hr tri athlete there is more that just swimming, biking, and running involved. Maybe have some caddy ready at the next finish line, when a family blocks you, throw the caddy ahead and to the right as you make your move on the left.

Better luck next time.

You are correct, this argument never ends, but one thing is more important than "a few seconds" or possible interference. A much bigger and serious problem of congestion in the post finish chute.

Athletes know what a hectic place the post finish area can be, especially in the 10-14 hour range. There are walkers, photographers, chip grabbers, medical personel, race officials, finishers medals, t-shirts and more all in a very tight area. It is very important that the finishers are "grabbed" (they do fall down frequently), given medical attention if needed. Some even walk a minute, then collapse. The last thing needed in this area is kids, other adults, grandma and the dog to add to the congestion.

I've been to over 50 IM as a spectator, support crew and volunteer. The "everyone's doing it, why can't I" has escalated over the past 15 years. What happens when almost everyone brings their families in? It will then become an enforced rule and no one will be able to do it.

Oh, and the miss a Kona slot arguement doesn't cut it. Slots are earned by who crosses the line first. If you are held up, so is the person you are in competition with. Then it boils down to who can push their way through the family first. :-) Can you say roller derby?

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Support Crew
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   Slightly off topic but I have to say this was one of the more surprising parts of my first IM last year (one of the few things I didn't prepare for). I was a late finisher (between 9-9:30) and got "grabbed" by a husband and wife team. After a little chit chat it dawned on me that they weren't letting go and were "inspecting me". Creeped me out at first until I realized it was just SOP.

Ended up standing in line for sign up the next morning right behind them.
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"It is very important that the finishers are "grabbed" (they do fall down frequently), given medical attention if needed. Some even walk a minute, then collapse.

Aren't you the dumb ass for just standing there!

I agree with your assesment.

Most of the big races have got onto a slippery slope with this issue and their is no easy way off. To ban it now, even though they have every right to do that, would cause a HUGE up-roar with a great deal of negative feedback for the event(s).

The family finish thing makes compeletly no sense to me at all, personally. The irony is very soon they are going to have to make rules for family finishes because this is one of those instances where people seem to toss rational thought and common sense right out the window and clearly it's getting a bit out of control at times. If the events had nipped it in the bud years ago, and educated people about the rules, the common-sense and rational of it, then we would not be having this discussion.

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Steve Fleck @stevefleck | Blog

I agree...

What would happen if (one possible scenario) let's say Joe Triathlete decides he want's to carry his 6 month old baby across the finish line, so he grab's the child and starts walking down the chute, he trips over a wrinkle in the carpet, and in his weakened state can't get his balance and falls, thus dropping the infant onto the carpet, the child hit's it's head and suffers irreversible brain damage or worse. (Granted this may never happen, nor would I want it too) Does Joe Triathlete have a case to sue for damages? The RD knew it was against the rules for this practice yet does nothing to stop it from going on.....

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http://wardmoya.blogspot.com/

After a little chit chat it dawned on me that they weren't letting go and were "inspecting me"

Don't lie - you were hoping it was a wife-wife team "inspecting you"...

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1) now that I know how things work I will linger in the finish chute next weekend until I get the "grabbers" that are appealing (hopefully a couple of WI sororety girls) then push through/knock over the entourage ahead of me to get to them; and I will require LOTS of attention.

2) unfortunately with how I look after one of these is over I'm sure the experience won't be all that interesting to the receiving party


[reply][b][font "Verdana,Arial,Helvetica"][black][size 2][font "Verdana,Arial,Helvetica"][black][size 2]After a little chit chat it dawned on me that they weren't letting go and were "inspecting me"

[/size][/black][/font][/size][/black][/font][/b][font "Verdana,Arial,Helvetica"][black][size 2][font "Verdana,Arial,Helvetica"][black][size 2]Don't lie - you were hoping it was a wife-wife team "inspecting you"...[/size][/black][/font][/size][/black][/font][b][font "Verdana,Arial,Helvetica"][black][size 2][font "Verdana,Arial,Helvetica"][black][size 2]
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"Does Joe Triathlete have a case to sue for damages?"

Yes, based on the negligence of the RD not fixing the carpet.

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"...it should be swim, bike, run, cage fight." - el fuser
"I noticed that I am in your sig line! Wow! That's s first for me. Thanks." - Fleck