Marathon You Can Do It

Marathon races have rules and regulation. The rules for elite runners are more stringent than for the casual runners.

The rules for elite runners became more clear after the debacle at 2009 Lakefront Marathon in Milwaukee. In that race three different ladies were declared winners.

The first winner was Cassie Pellar who was disqualified shortly after the race for accepting aid – a water bottle – from a friend outside of the official water stations. The second place finisher, Jennifer Goebel, then took the first place. After a few days, supporters of Cassie posted a photo of Jennifer, the race photos showed Goebel with an iPod tucked into the waistband of her shorts. Since running with an ipod is against the rules she was stripped off her first place.

The third place finisher Canitz, a green 42 year old runner was elevated to first place.I wonder what dirt they will now dig out about her??? she better have her taxes in order.

The Elite Marathon Rules

• Don’t take water or food from spectators
• Don’t listen to music during the race.
• And this last one is so obvious, Don’t use dope

written by Constantine Njeru \\ tags: Debacle, Dirt, Dope, Elite Runners, Few Days, Goebel, Ipod, Lakefront Marathon, Marathon Races, marathon runners, Milwaukee, Pellar, Photo, Place Finisher, Race Photos, Rules And Regulation, Spectators, Waistband, Water Bottle, Water Stations

There are certain things that happen during a marathon race that demoralises runners especially the slow runners at the back of the park.

I got the following list from a slow runner a +5 hours marathon finisher who admits he is slow but he loves marathon running.

1. Fast runners who decide to do their cool down on the course when you are trying to run in.
2. Water stations that run out or are closed.
3. Workers who are taking down the barriers early.
4. Spectators who are cutting through the course on their way home while you are trying for a PR.
5. Organizers who open the roads too early forcing the slow runners to walk on the roadside.

So next time, if you are a fast runner, dont do you cool down on the course be mindful of those slow runners.

written by Constantine Njeru \\ tags: Cool Down, Marathon Race, marathon runners, Marathon Running, Organizers, Slow Runners, Spectators, Water Stations