Another marathon cheating story

Not only leading at 14 miles but leading by over 7 minutes. Why would she intentionally cut the course 2 miles later when she was obviously still leading? And to run a time that she's already shown in other races that she's capable of running? It doesn't make any sense.

I'd like to see all the race's evidence. In the article it claims she missed "electronic checkpoints" at miles 17 and 18. They have mats at both 17 and 18? A guy on here says there was only one. What's up with that?

Though I do not personally know Cristina, the word from her and others who know the rest of the story is that she did not cut the course or otherwise cheat. Shortly after the 17 mile mark she saw and used a port-a-potty that was located on a construction site, just off the race course. The race director called her the next day to tell her she was disqualified for stepping off the course. Maybe technically she deserved to be DQ'ed but she certainly doesn't deserve all the negative publicity she has received including a mention on the local Detroit TV station.

Actually, a race official pointed her in the direction of the Port-a-potty in question. She asked where the next bathroom stop was and he told her. It was only 20 yards off course.

interesting split times wrote:

Not only that, but with a time of 1:37:38 at the 14 mile mark, she would have been the leading woman at that point... strange for someone to decide to cheat when they are already leading.

Then she ended up winning by only 3 1/2 minutes after she had a 7+ minute lead at that 14 mile point . How badly would she have to be dying at the end to lose 3 1/2 - 4 minutes after (supposedly) running less distance in the second half of the race than the other women did? Interesting.

That course seems to present many opportunities to cheat. Just after mile four and around mile six look like two prime candidates. (Not claiming this is what she did - just an independent observation.)

[quote]6packjack wrote:

Here is another link.

http://harlemrunner.blogspot.com/2008/03/sarasota-marathon-winner-pulls-katie.html

Race spotters did not see here and were looking for the leaders.

When you look at the map it would be VERY EASY to cut off 2 miles as there is an out and back section there. You could go from 16.25 miles to the 19 mile mark with no trouble at all.quote]

_______________________

Looking at the map - you see 2 things right away. A median in the middle of the road - means she would have to cut across.

Also, if she is experienced, she would HAVE to know soemthing was wrong when she suddenly went from 16 to 19. Anyone would know there was something wrong.

She knew she cut when she took the winners prize.

Whether it was a mistake or not, she knew it before she crossed the line - she should have said something. she didn't.

I certainly hope the RD had more evidence than what has been put forth so far to prove this lady cheated.

I'm all for aggressive identification and harsh treatment for people who cheat - but conversely if you are going to label someone a cheater, and DQ them from a race they finished 1st in, you better be damn sure. All I see is one missed chip time and spotters that didn't see her. How reliable were the spotters. Did anyone actually see her cut? Wouldn't a spectator, or another runner who was mysteriously passed, have seen this? I hope they have witnesses.

Punishment for falsely labeling cheaters should mirror what a racer gets - a lifetime ban from directing races.

More to the Story wrote:

interesting split times wrote:

Not only that, but with a time of 1:37:38 at the 14 mile mark, she would have been the leading woman at that point... strange for someone to decide to cheat when they are already leading.

Then she ended up winning by only 3 1/2 minutes after she had a 7+ minute lead at that 14 mile point . How badly would she have to be dying at the end to lose 3 1/2 - 4 minutes after (supposedly) running less distance in the second half of the race than the other women did? Interesting.

That course seems to present many opportunities to cheat. Just after mile four and around mile six look like two prime candidates. (Not claiming this is what she did - just an independent observation.)

Depends on how much time she spent in the aforementioned Port-a-Potty. If she lost a lot of time she could've been tempted by the other side of the road.

flashback wrote:

Punishment for falsely labeling cheaters should mirror what a racer gets - a lifetime ban from directing races.

That's a brilliant idea!

I wish someone would ban me from directing races for life! It sure would make my life so much less stressful...

Well, you do know that it is voluntary, right?

toivo wrote:

Depends on how much time she spent in the aforementioned Port-a-Potty. If she lost a lot of time she could've been tempted by the other side of the road.

I must say, I would have to be REALLY ILL, I mean in a REALLY sorry condition, to spend that much time in a Port-a-Potty. Not saying she didn't, but I know I wouldn't. ICK.

Perhaps this incident will now be known as "Potty-Gate?"

On a serious note, her 14 mile split was quite fast. It seems the men who posted a similar split came in around 3 hours. Had she stayed on that pace and run the whole course (assuming she actually did not), wouldn't that have been quite a PR for her? The whole thing sounds strange.

Not my words, but a comment left at this link sheds a lot of light on this story:

http://harlemrunner.blogspot.com/2008/03/sarasota-marathon-winner-pulls-katie.html

Anonymous said...

"I was a bike monitor at the 2008 Sarasota Marathon..my first voluteer, although I am an experienced runner..biker..duathlon..

"I know personally Mrs. Nobles situation and why she was disqualified and relate the following..at +-16mile Mrs. Nobles stopped at a construction site port a let (on the course but on the otherside of the cones) and emerged moments later walking in the opposite direction with her bib #removed..when approached by two experienced bike monitors to see if she was disoriented, they were told she was "not feeling good".."it was a training run" and that she would "be fine walking back in"...they then picked up the 2nd female runner and escorted her thru the remainder of the zone, approx. 5m. The port a let was approximately 1 mile from the 17 mile chip pad..which Ms. Nobles failed to cross..as the person manning that station attested..the 2nd female runner did cross..the course returns from a short loop to that porta let site..Ms. Nobles must have rejoined the runners shortly after that point and completed the race in her typical times.The bike monitors in this zone where all experienced runners and bikers..but that is irrelevant..as the facts were indisputable..I'm sure she's a fine woman and experienced runner..but she made a quick and bad judgement..a low moment..she will learn from this..the RD of the race asked that the media be left out for Ms. Nobles sake.. and i.e. my anonymous posting"

Obviously, she tried the old "porta potty switcharoo" and got caught.

This shouldn't surprise anyone who's raced an IM before -- people try all kinds of crazy stuff there. Just swim one lap of the two, just run one lap out of two, etc. When those people get caught, however, they get banned for life.

mullinsm wrote:

Obviously, she tried the old "porta potty switcharoo" and got caught.

I thought the old "porta potty switcharoo" was where you have your twin brother waiting in the crapper, and then you change places and he finishes the rest of the race with fresh legs.

What is an IM?

anachronist wrote:

What is an IM?

Ironman

I am Ironman wrote:

anachronist wrote:

What is an IM?

Ironman

therefore anachronist=IM

Scroll down top the 5th place finisher in the 30-34 Female, note fifth place

This from the 2006 Detroit Marthon

Sorry 2007

excellent detective work - if they cheat once sure as hell they've done it before

interesting find wrote:

http://results.active.com/pages/displayNonGru.jsp?orgID=216362&rsID=49347

Scroll down top the 5th place finisher in the 30-34 Female, note fifth place

This from the 2006 Detroit Marthon

Holycrap....her splits from 17 & 20 are missing...