Controversy at Cleveland Marathon: Winner was wearing a tshirt over his bib most of the race. Agent of 2nd place wants a DQ

Did the claimed first place winner do a Mike Rossi, hence why he was covering his bib number with a shirt? Did he cut the course? Did anyone check his splits and course photos?

Should this be a DQ? Agent of 2nd placer wants a DQ.

What do the rules say?

is there a story in this link?

all i see is hot girl with RNR Nashville bib and medal.

Marathon officials said they are looking into whether Daniel Mesfun of Eritrea broke any rules for having his shirt on over his bib.

Some of the other runners claim they didn't know Mesfun, who clocked in at 2:16:33, was running the full marathon because they couldn't see his bib.

Runners from the marathon, half marathon and other races all compete at the same time, which caused the confusion.

Race director Jack Staph said there's no doubt Mesfun completed the entire course, but assures the public they are looking into the complaint. They will make a final decision in the next few days.

https://www.news5cleveland.com/news/local-news/cleveland-metro/cleveland-marathon-winner-may-have-to-forfeit-title-after-breaking-minor-race-rule

___________________________________________________________________________

It appears we won't know for certain for a couple days.

I can't believe they would disqualify a guy after putting in 26 hard miles. That would be cruel even if it was a deliberate deception by Mr. Mesfun.

DQ

No question. Bib number must be exposed at all times.

Elite runners were given an additional number to put on the outside of jackets. They made a point at the Technical Meeting of saying that it is IN THE RULES. no race is required to give an additional number. I've seen athletes cut holes in their long sleeve to expose the number in case they neede to shed the long sleeve. You can wear arm sleeves if you prefer. You can not ever cover your number.

USATF rules extremely clear -

4. (a) When bib(s) are provided, every competitor shall wear them, as indicated in these

rules, when competing.

(b) If one bib is provided, it must be worn visibly on the front. When two bibs are

provided, they must be worn on the singlet, front and back. If, pursuant to Rule

143.2, a singlet is not worn, the bibs should be worn on the shorts, front and back.

The competitors may also be required to wear start list identifying numbers visibly

on the hips and in other locations determined by the Games Committee.

(c) No athlete shall be permitted to participate in any competition without the

appropriate bib, except as indicated in these rules. Bibs are to be worn as issued

(cutting or folding numbers is not permitted). The identifying information on the

bib need not be numeric. It shall be of sufficient font type, size and contrast for clear

visibility. Not wearing an assigned bib may be grounds for disqualification under

Only logical reason to hide bib is to not be identified as a competitor and sneak up

at last minute - CLEARLY ANOTHER RULE VIOLATION

Let's see if this RD enforces the rules. Wonder if drug testing was used also.

Says NOTHING about so-called "bib numbers" being visible.

well, that may be but if it is so obvious a violation of the rules then why will it take a couple days to decide ?

Cleveland says it is a USATF event

Read the total USATF rules - it does say visible.

100% DQ not even a gray area

Maybe the RD has not read the total rules quide from USATF?

Lemme do some "investigative reporting" here.... wrote:

[quote]

3. Headphones ARE permitted on the course due to the revised legislation passed by the USATF, the governing body.

The headphone rule was reversed due to a potential revolt by the masses. There is strength in numbers.

A lot of money is brought in by the headphone wearing entrants.

What? He won, what's the problem here?

There is nothing on the website that says they are following USATF rules. It just as a link to the USATF.

it also has a number of rules, but nothing about the bib being visible. You want to get all technical but you really need to know what you are getting technical about .

Most of the "bib" rules deal with wearing a bib.

rule 5 clearly states, "Only participants wearing the provided MyLaps timing tag will be timed and included in the final race results."

He was wearing the tag.

I bet they work something out. I don't think the 2nd placer would have caught him even if the bib was visible.

143.4(c) ... Not wearing an assigned bib may be grounds for disqualification under Rule 145.2. (emphasis added)

Looks pretty clear from USATF rules. Optional DQ by Referee, if they want to do so.

Likely they have to give the perp a warning before assessing full DQ ("shall refuse to obey"), and they are only "liable" to DQ any way.

145.2 Any competitor who shall refuse to obey the directions of the Referee or other proper official, or who shall conduct himself/herself in an unsportsmanlike manner, or who is offensive by action or language to the officials, spectators, or competitors at any competition, or under Rule 162.17, shall render that competitor liable to disqualification by the Referee from participation in all further events, including individual events of a Combined Event, simultaneous events and relays, at the meet.

that could be and probably is the case.

It also could be that the RD is searching for a way to not disqualify him.

If he had a visible number there is no doubt he would have crossed the finish line in first place.

The half marathoners were running at a 9 minute pace. There is no way the other marathoners thought he was a half marathoner deciding to run a 5 minute pace at the end.

I have some sympathy for Terer, who apparently claims he didn't know the guy passing him (Mesfun) was in the same race because he wasn't wearing a number. However, I assume that in this race, like most others, the number is work only on the front. When someone goes by you, once he has drawn alongside or passed you can't see his number anyway and you have no way of knowing whether he's in the same race as you.

Rules are rules, and if the rules stated that numbers must be visible at all times, then Mesfun should be DQ'd. But I don't buy the argument that the second place finisher could have won had the winner been wearing a visible bib.

First, this could me more clear. Clearer language would be "The race is run under USATF rules", but I think the RD would be within the rules to DQ the runner. Not sure that is the right call to be honest.

How opaque was the T-shirt?

Could the bib be seen thru it?

Any agent that allows their athlete to run the race without their number exposed should be fired immediately. Every agent knows this rule.

I understand that the masses may not know this, but every elite runner does.

1. Chip times are meaningless

2. Can not take any aid from someone on the sidelines. No GU or Fluids that isn't at an official table.

3. NUMBER MUST BE VISIBLE