Runner knew marathon leaders were running off course, doesn't stop them: "I’m not going to shout. It’s not my job.’’

Had you passed the left turn yet for the marathon (about 10.5 miles for you)? If not, did you see how far behind Pence was?

Well, if this isn't a microcosm of modern American society. So the winner was supposed to show up, work hard, play by the rules, do everything right AND do others' thinking for them? All so they could benefit from his effort? He didn't break any rules, has nothing for which to apologize.

The message that the haters are giving is, "How DARE he not do the thinking for others. SHAMEFUL!" Gimme a break.

If you read the entire article, I don't think his sportsmanship was all that bad. He just said it wasn't his job to shout.

When you're in the thick of things and tired, you're not always in the most rational frame of mind and it's questionable if he could have shouted loud enough to make a difference. He also says part of him wishes those two did not veer off course.

What is funny to me is that the lead bicyclist said the two runners should have known not to follow him.

correct

Great question i am assuming directed to me? I turned around becasue i

like i said i was confused as to why they passed me and i wanted to see where pence was because i am a former D2 runner like him and i wanted him to run well. I gave a good look and did not see anyone at all

The article said the lead bicyclist was almost in tears.

I don't know why everyone is ragging on the winner. It's the bicyclist's fault... why the heck is he leading the race if he doesn't know the course?!? Is it too much to ask to spend a couple hours leisurely biking the course a couple days before hand to make sure you know what you're doing... or if that's too much effort just break out Google maps street-view.

If we're going to be judgemental about someone lets flay the bicyclist! Guy must be a total flake to screw that up so royally!

I've been a lead bike in many races in the Denver Metro and I always have mapped the course on map my run, Strava and similar application, run the course and bike the course prior to the race. Yes, I even run marathon course (in chunks), but I would rather be prepared than let something like this happen. The race course markers in all my races, especially Ironman Marathon courses, well mark the course, too. Lead bikers for running are all volunteers or race employees, so jeez, to not know the course, is a huge mistake. I always have three rules when I lead bike for running races:

1. Don't get off the course

2. Don't crash

3. Don't get beat by the runners.

I feel bad the lead cyclist in this case, because he might have been a last minute volunteer or a new lead cyclist, because races are always in need of volunteers, especially lead cyclist.

If I had been in third place and knew that the cyclist took them off the course, I'd would yelled and waited for the two catch back up. No amount of money would have made me happy to knowingly let the leaders stay off the course. I'd rather DNF than to continue to race and win. However, I'm slow and have never been near the lead, unless I was the lead cyclist.

its not the winners responsibility, but he comes off as a bit of a dick saying its obvious they were off course and showing no sympathy for them. it was funny that the bike leader said he felt terrible, but then added it was their fault for following? its kind of shocking no one tried to correct them.

Unless it's under a freeway or by a freight train, neither of which apply to Arsenal Island (used to run XC there), of course you can usually hear someone from 20 seconds away at 2:15 pace. He should have yelled.

Have been in same situation at road races (not as much prize money at stake, but sometime some) from both sides. I have appreciated those behind yelling at us to get back on course and have been behind and yelled at those ahead to make the correct turn.

Last comment from me: Bigtimer is correct and 13.5 and 10.5 is the same for half and full. Its a weird spot because the half comes off of a bridge from one direction and the full comes off a bridge from the other direction. There is also a lot going on right where the half goes straight and the full goes left onto the path. It was loud and there was an aid station and people working there. Which makes me wonder why nobody realized these guys went the wrong way? I mean the half leader and many other half marathoners had long gone by. Clearly at the speed these guys were running they had to be the full marathon leaders! They were absolutely flying!! If Tyler would have yelled would they have heard him? Probably not where it occurred. If he yelled would they have paid attention or known it was directed at them? Probably not. Would they have understood him with a possible language barrier? Probably not. Should he have tried, probably yes. Bottom line, dont blame Tyler for a possible misquote, its terribly unfortunate and lets all agree on the fact that this should never happen!!!

rojo wrote:

I can't believe this.

You can't believe what? Two guys ran off the course and you call the winner out for being unsportsmanlike?

Does your inability to reason have any boundaries whatsoever?

I once followed the leader off course in a 50mi trail race. After a mile off course he slowed down and let me lead then turned around when he got far enough back. Now that was poor sportsmanship. Still makes me mad when I see him at a race.

Reminds me of a family story. Many years ago a relative of mine, a strong competitive marathoner, was running a marathon in Alaska. Anyway he was one of the leaders and another runner was in view ahead of him. The runner ahead of him was a stronger runner but my relative was able to stay in contact. Anyway late in the marathon the leading runner takes a wrong turn down the wrong trail. My relative shouts that he is going the wrong way but the leading runner is too far ahead. So when my relative gets to fork he decides that rather than run to the finish line he would try to chase down the leading runner. So he turns himself inside out to catch up, and finally manages to do so, but he is spent. At that point they both turn around and the leading runner starts running back to where he made the wrong turn. My relative cannot keep up and the leading runner disappears into the distance.

Anyway, a long while later and my relative has managed to get back onto the right trail and is struggling to the finish line when he rounds the last turn and who is there waiting for him on the course having not yet crossed the finish line himself but the runner he had helped. When my relative reached him the runner said that was the nicest thing anyone had ever done for him and they crossed the finish line together. Always loved that story.

try a job wrote:

If the Kenyans are struggling so much financially, try getting a job and forget about trying to win a race for a couple of thousand dollars. McDonald’s is paying $18 an hour, use that training time to work and you can bring home $3500 every month instead of just with a few races.

Would their visa allow that? I thought foreign athletes had visas that only allowed them to compete but am no expert.

20 seconds at the pace they were going is over 100 meters. Think about that. Not a chance they would hear him.

He definitely put his foot in his mouth saying it wasn't his obligation. Shouldn't have said that, not because it isn't true but it makes him look smarmy.

rojo wrote:

I can't believe this..... and modern-day society has just taught young kids - take what you can, life is a money grab.

Hmmm. So are you running this site for free? If not, what a money grab. What are you teaching the next generation if you don't give back to the sport by hosting this site for free?

If this is" sportsmanship at its worst" I feel pretty good about the world we live in