Everyone I've talked to about the results of top women at the Milwaukee Lakefront marathon Sunday has been amazed. As I wrote a few days ago, the top female finisher was disqualified for running part of the way with a friend who gave her some water outside the designated water stop areas. It is a strict interpretation of USATF rules to be sure, but it is the correct interpretation.
As I mentioned, the second female finisher, Jennifer Goebel (who is from Lombard and part of the Elmhurst running club), was awarded first place because of the disqualification. But as I learned from one of my old college track buddies who lived in Milwaukee, Jennifer has also not been disqualified. And the reason for hers raises even more eyebrows!
It seems Jennifer was wearing an ipod for part of the run. Someone captured a photo of this, and reported it to the race director, who disqualified her a couple days after the race. She apparently admitted listening to it for part of the run, when she thought she was out of contention. So she knew it was against the rules. She did the right thing, and I would have to say the race director did the right thing also.
We can debate how much assistance either runner really gained from their rule violation. But rules are rules, and despite what many casual runners might think about it, the credibility of the race is at stake over these things. The race director really has no choice about what to do, as disappointing as it is.
The Milwaukee Journal Sentinal story about Goebel's disqualification suggests this might be the first time in the country that someone has been disqualified for listening to music during the race. The story is linked below. http://www.jsonline.com/blogs/lifestyle/63668622.html
I have to admit I wore an ipod during last year's New York marathon. If I had run about an hour and change faster, I might have been worried about being disqualified. I've also had friends run part of the Chicago marathon with me in the past. Again, there was no danger of me losing a spot on the podium. But I suppose I was aware that I was breaking the rules, and I would have been more concerned if I was running competitively.
Anyway, from what I hear, we have a little marathon of our own in Chicago coming up in a few days. I'll be writing much more about that coming up. Hopefully, we'll have great performances, and no disqualifications!
See you on the roads....
Did Milwaukee ban the iPod from the race? Because I Chicago DID allow iPods this year since the laws have been changed.
Posted by: www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=13721001 | November 30, 2009 at 04:01 PM