If they'd all slowed down earlier I still would rather they be designated official pacemakers than have no idea what was going on/who was legitimately competing. And I definitely don't want to see a race where I watch it for 95%-99% of it, with four people competing against each other then find out in the finishing straight that three of them have no intention of winning and are meant to let someone else win. I don't think the vast majority of the crowd or people watching on TV want that either. It doesn't matter if the race is in China, France, the UK or wherever or the nationality of the runners. It's the concept and how it relates to sportsmanship and athletes deliberately slowing to let someone else win. If they're designated pacemakers it's very clear and completely different. I think it would ruin it for a large amount of spectators as well.
If you're asking about World Athletics rules (which I don't think this would come under, but say it happened in e.g. the World Championships) it comes under failure to participate under World Athletics rules:
"an athlete failed to compete honestly with bona fide effort. The relevant Referee will
decide on this and the corresponding reference must be made in the official results."
letting someone else win would come under failure to compete honestly. Hence, you wouldn't have pacemakers in the Olympic marathon, etc! This is a private race, totally different, fine to have pacers just like in the Diamond League etc. All I'm saying is simply declare it!
I think we should just agree to disagree, we obviously have completely different opinions on this. I just want to see a transparent race where I know what's going on.