Sunday morning I did a 5K and started to pull away from second place in the last mile - With about 800 to go the pace car dropped and I came to a corner split in the street, I put my hands up and looked at the race officials and police officers for direction, they pointed me left, I was not supposed to go left, by the time I came back around the block I had come down the finish line the opposite way, just in time to see second place "win" - I called over the race officials but no luck. Second place asked me if this was my first time, which it was and mentioned that it can be confusing and poorly marked - To his credit, he was very gracious.
My coworkers and family were all in attendance and I have nothing to show for what would have been a certain victory - FYI This was Tunnels to Towers in NYC - How often does this happen? Is it my fault for not knowing the course well enough? For race directors out there, what do you do in these situations? (I was DQ and not included in the results or awards) I'm not going to ask for a refund on entry fees cause its for a good cause - Just frustrated and wondering if this has happened to others?!