I was in an Olympic Tri this weekend, and placed 3rd in age group, a result I was happy with. Until…until I looked at 2nd place in my age group, and realized there was an anomoly in number #2’s performance. Maybe it just sounds like sour grapes, but please tell me what you think:
I left out name/cities to protect anonymity. I’m #3. Notice #2’s run split: that’s world class 10K pace. He was 2 min/mi. faster then the next fastest time of the entire race. Also, with his other splits, he would have HAD to have passed me at some point on the run. And nobody passed me. And certainly no one running 5:10 miles passed me. Just to add a little nuance to this, it was baking hot on this run, as described in another thread, it was an out and back course over a damn, w/no shade at all. I saw elite guys walking the run. This, obviously, matters not in the grand scheme of things. The times and ages should indicate we weren’t fighting for anything but respectability. Still, in the spirit of the competiton, I would think #2, (no pun intended) should self-report. My guess is he turned around at the sprint turn around, and, (maybe) thought that was the Olympic turn around?
I would be curious to know what others think.
Definitely looks like the 2nd place finisher cut the course somehow. As you pointed out, that is a amazingly fast run time, which is also not at all consistent with the other splits.
Sadly, I see this sort of thing fairly often in multi-lap courses and courses where the Oly and sprint are going on at the same time. I think it is understandable in the preliminary results, but I am surprised when the race organizers do not try and find out what the deal is on splits that are obviously out of line. I’ve seen bike splits that are TDF worthy (as in 30 mph) that suddenly make sense if you assume that the racer did the sprint course by mistake (or on purpose).
I have not seen results changed based on oddball splits alone though.
It is possible. Just take a look at Jarrod Shoemaker. When he started, he was something like this; except with a better run…and could completely blow away any other person due to his killer run. A 32min 10K is not world class pace; not even close, and I know at least a couple 49ers who could do that…but, yes, it is fast for a very hot day; but still not outside of reason. Do you know if there was a timing mat at the turn around? IMHO I would just take pride in good performance (if you feel you did), or learn what could be done to make it better, and try again in the next race. Remember it is just a game.
I had a buddy in high school, XC runner, went on to run in college… He did a local sprint tri. Managed alright in the swim, decided his bike was best to be done in flip flops (i shit you not) as to save time in transition 1.
He slapped on his flats for the run, hammered out a 16min 5k,one of the fastest runs of the day. he passed a whole bunch of people on that run.
Could a 32min 10k be run? sure. somehow I doubt it though.
Wouldnt he have had to pass you if he was running like that? very fishy.
There are uber runners out there who are new to tris that post stuff like this, but I don’t know if there are any 49 year old runners who could post a 32min. 10k off the bike.
PS: Where do you live, I need to move there so I can start podium-ing again? Here in NorCal those times get you about 50th percentile in the 45-49 AG.
I doubt the results, but there isn’t much you can do. However, If you are looking for USAT points, 2nd gives more than 3rd and an e-mail to the RD couldn’t hurt.
I think it is very fair to email the RD. I don’t think its possible for them to see every anomalous split so I would alert them to it. They may do something, they may not. If not, I would question doing the race again!!
I’ll call you on that. That’s a world championship time for 45-49, and you know at least a couple of them who could do that?
Ken Lehner
You know what, I think you might be right. The fellows that I was thinking of are in the 40-45 age group; and that is really in a straight up 10K (not after biking). Good call of my semi-BS. My real point was more along the lines of ‘it is possible’, and just let it go; and yes, I have let go similar things where I was giving up hundreds of dollars worth of swag due to a little ‘dishonesty’ of another competitor.
I think it is very fair to email the RD. I don’t think its possible for them to see every anomalous split so I would alert them to it. They may do something, they may not. If not, I would question doing the race again!!
In a situation like this, what can a RD actually do? Maybe he could ask #2 guy if he cheated, but other than that, can a RD “look” at a result and based on an assumption just change the result (even if it is very unlikely it was a true result)?
There was NOT a timing mat at the 10K turnaround. Also, I didn’t hang around for the awards ceremony. No biggie. Just wanted to confirm my assumptions. BTW, I did e-mail the “info@” e-mail box. No response. And thanks to all you guys for mitigating my 2nd (ish) place finish!
I would like to know that the person was contacted about the split and asked about it. Even if nothing could be proven or done, I would at least feel as if the RD cared about the validity of the results of his paying “customers”.
Also, at future events, the RD could keep an eye out on the splits. He/she should run somewhere in the neighborhood of that spped throughout the race season, I would assume!!!
I have seen this type of thing a number of times, and here is what I have done. First, try to find other times for this person in other races. If you can this helps a lot.
I would then write the RD. I have seen an RD just throw out a person based on these type of results. The race I did Sunday has a gal with results like this. Will see what the RD does.
Just search the guy’s results on other tri websites, like www.sportstats.ca, www.athlinks.com, etc and see what his previous results were. Then you will know for sure if he is a world class runner or not.
Also, try to email directly the company who timed the event and see what their opinion is.