punch up at a race

epo addict

On saturday at the BHAA c/c held at Maynooth college there was an incident which involved two athletes over "cheating" The event is a cross country race so grass is the surface for the 4 mile course Somewhere on the course there is path which stretches for about 600m beside the race route and a lot of runners who were not in spikes chose to use it It gave anyone in runners a slight advantage and caused a fight between two athletes..In the race somebody on the path, passed a runner on the grass and when both athletes reached the finish a row erupted! Last year i myself did this race and the same thing happened with athletes using the path which really annoyed me:mad: Should new rules on this course be introduced to stop this carry on as i believe its unacceptable and unfair on the guys who wear spikes on a cross country race(shouldn't it be spikes only)

Squirrel

If there was no tape or flags beside the path they were perfectly within their rights to run on the path. I myself have taken bits off corners by running through long grass or other surfaces once I kept inside the flags it was all fully legal. Everything can be used to an athletes advantage. It mightn't be fair, but it's allowed.

Koroibos

There is no reason why the athletes can't use the road, every athlete was allow to use the road. It would have been harder for people in spikes, but they had the advantage on the grass only sections. Getting upset because someone used the road is as stupid as getting upset because someone didn't run through the muddy section but used the firm ground.

deadlybuzz

I agree with the two replies above for XC.

What are people's thoughts on road races, where some people cut onto grass verge/footpath to gain advantage on a bend?

Due to length of some races and logistics involved, it's rare that there is any tape, only sometimes a race marshall at the odd corner. Perhaps one is allowed run the shortest route possible? I've only ever heard a marshall order people off the footpath once. Granted , I personally wouldn't be troubling the top 20 in a race, but would certainly be racing with those around me. Cutting corners can make a difference over a 5k race. Anyone know what's the official line on this?

harrier

I asked the question about cutting corners at a road race once. The race director couldn't have been more clear:

If you're at the front you run on the road. If you're not I don't give a f***.

I never had to ask again...

dfitzer1

Hi

I organise this race and normally tell people to keep the flags on their left so if people ran on the path they weren't actually cheating. Maybe the rules should be changed so people know not to run on the path. It already takes long enough to mark out the course and it's hard to get marshalls . I'm sure people may still decide to run on the road anyway so I actually won't be changing the course as this will add to the already considerable headaches attached to this race.

I actually think it's a bit sad people would argue over this alleged "cheating" anyway.

Dave

lindab

sounds abit mad that runners can start fighting after a race.I remember reading about a guy who runs for Tallaght ac who was an elite runner and he assaulted a fellow club athlete.It was in the newspaper.
anyone else ever here of things like this happening?

thirtyfoot

I remember years ago a bit of handbags at an indoor meet in Nenagh between two of Cork's more prominent clubs (I think it was them) in the 4 x 200 relay and also at one of the world juniors a while back in the 10,000 a Kenyan was passed in the closing stages and gave the fellow who passed him a dig on the back. He was DQed and banned I think.

The 4 x 400 in the league always has a few moments, more mouthing off than scraps. Heard great stories of cross-country back in the day where "taking out" athletes would have regularly happened, its was the Junior B Hurling Championship of its day.

lindab

I remember watching that junior 10k on youtube.amazing what athletes will do to avoid defeat.

aburke

lindab wrote: »

I remember watching that junior 10k on youtube.amazing what athletes will do to avoid defeat.

Got a link?

lindab

don't have a link but tried searching it and couldn't get it.
haile won the race so maybe research when he won it and then type into
youtube.would love to see it again myself.

Phibsboro

Found it ...
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j6SXCQ7ba-U

Some people saying in the comments that Haile touched against him as he passed...

C

lindab

good find.there is minimal contact between them ad haile is about to fly past hime so the guy lashes out.

the sleepwalker

Wasn't there a punch up at the athletes night out after the nationals two years were a clonliffe runner attacked the bouncer i think he works in a running shop not sure of his name but i heard a few different stories about the incident

thirtyfoot

the sleepwalker wrote: »

Wasn't there a punch up at the athletes night out after the nationals two years were a clonliffe runner attacked the bouncer i think he works in a running shop not sure of his name but i heard a few different stories about the incident

Jaysus, if you were to go down the route of talking about incidents on athletes night out and especially the national senior party we'd have some craic - some great scraps down the years.

Sean02

Having in the past helped organise many road and cross country races I can empathise with Dfitzer, however if it was a problem last year and this year it will be happen again next year. Sometimes its only neccessary to tape of the entry point of a perceived short cut. I can also sympatise with the runner who ran on the road, he/she probaly realises now that spikes are a necessity for cross country running. Do athletes run barefooted anymore ?.