This happened in a marathon I did recently. The lead female was getting bottles handed to her from her coach at different points on the course. Should that result in a DQ?
The personal bottles I picked up were right at an aid station (obviously not right in the middle of it, but right there). Nobody said anything at the time. I read the rules page before the race as well as the race day guide and neither said anything about this being a rule violation.
Seems like a grey area. Just confirm with the race director next time. Many smaller races will have tables/places available for "non elite" runners to place nutrition that apparently conform with usatf rules.
The rules prohibit a friend handing you a Gatorade or water bottle along the course. You can carry it the whole way, or you can stop and take 17 cups at the drink station, but you can't have someone hand you a larger version of whatever they're giving out in tiny quantities.
The rules should be changed.
So DQ Kipchoge for having bottle claus hand him bottles
He technically works/volunteers for the Berlin marathon, so is not considered outside help. Other workers hand out bottles to other marathon runners, it is just that Kipchoge likes a certain worker to do it.
Technically this may be a rules violation. Drink from the aid stations next time. It's also technically illegal to post your bib anywhere but on your front torso. If someone BQs with their bib on the outside of there hip, are they a bad person? No.
This is not something to feel guilty about. Move on. Run Boston and enjoy it.
You know the rules. I know the rules. Ask the RD if you’re unsure. Why is this on the 3rd page? You haven’t posted the race so we can’t confirm whether your a blatant cheater or a troll.
The rules prohibit a friend handing you a Gatorade or water bottle along the course. You can carry it the whole way, or you can stop and take 17 cups at the drink station, but you can't have someone hand you a larger version of whatever they're giving out in tiny quantities.
The rules should be changed.
Marathons should have one aid station that gives out actual bottles of water. Say, 16oz, around mile 16. The added hydration this would give to lots of runners -- well beyond what they can get from little 2oz cups -- will contribute to fewer emergencies and also faster times.
In the Chicago marathon I once took a regular old Poland Spring bottle of water from a generous spectator, and holy crap did it rejuvenate me. To this day, that race is still my PR. Everyone should have that option. It's a little more work for the race on the front end, but saves work on the back end dealing with fewer emergencies. And of course faster times lead to more runner interest, which leads to $$$.