Calling experts on track rules!!! Is this a DQ?

That was good stuff! We need more of this type action to popularize the sport! Brilliant team tactics to pull the slower guy up, very Kenyan-like team running. The only thing missing was a few punches during the race..why couldn't they at least throw down after finishing.

In all seriousness, all was good except the one blond haired guy from Guelph really bumping that guy out. That Geulph guy should have been DQ'd, but otherwise a fun race to watch.

This first thing I thought when watching this race is why I am in favor of having enforcers in hockey. I'm a decent runner but past my prime. I weigh 170 pounds but could have been in this for at least for the first kilo,probably the mile. I would volunteer to take every Guelph guy out if they started hurting the other runners' fair chance at a race. If you want races like that, then you'll have guys like me putting these schmucks on the ground. I'll take the DQ no problem.

Notthornton wrote:

This first thing I thought when watching this race is why I am in favor of having enforcers in hockey. I'm a decent runner but past my prime. I weigh 170 pounds but could have been in this for at least for the first kilo,probably the mile. I would volunteer to take every Guelph guy out if they started hurting the other runners' fair chance at a race. If you want races like that, then you'll have guys like me putting these schmucks on the ground. I'll take the DQ no problem.

And this is what team track and field needs. This is why folks watch the Tour De France because there are lieutenants there to make sure the #1 is in a place to win the stage/race.

For most teams, there is 1 guy who can win an individual title in track. So, make all the "players" relevant. That is what team sports are about.

The call would go something like this: "Notthonton doesn't have the speed to stay in the race at this pace but he can help protect his teammate for maybe 2000 meters from bump-n-run tactics that Guelph is known for. He is a big body mixed in there and takes up a lot of track space. . . ."

no one wrote:

in Europe - normal race: doubt anything would be in question.

other than that - the blond haired guy increased his right arm swing and lifted away from body. As with most races like this - things were happening long before the obvious. Actually pretty entertaining to me - I've always believed those kind of situations can be avoided with better (obviously) positioning. There was enough dirty pool to spread around on 'all' sides.

Not normal in Europe at all. This was a horrible display and more than one guy probably should have been dq'd. if they could be suspended from future races they probably should be. No place for that.

Mrr82 wrote:

Not normal in Europe at all. This was a horrible display and more than one guy probably should have been dq'd. if they could be suspended from future races they probably should be. No place for that.

No place for what? This is a qualifying round not a time trial. Have you ever considered that there is a reason we don't contest middle distance races in lane all the way? The reason is because the tactics help to make it interesting. The tactics require a runner to demonstrate a range of speeds.

If you want this to be a sport, then we need more of this not less. I am not suggesting that running become a free-for-all but that we allow for contact in our races and move on from this "he touched me and should be DQed" mentality.

Mundus Vult wrote:

Mrr82 wrote:

Not normal in Europe at all. This was a horrible display and more than one guy probably should have been dq'd. if they could be suspended from future races they probably should be. No place for that.

No place for what? This is a qualifying round not a time trial. Have you ever considered that there is a reason we don't contest middle distance races in lane all the way? The reason is because the tactics help to make it interesting. The tactics require a runner to demonstrate a range of speeds.

If you want this to be a sport, then we need more of this not less. I am not suggesting that running become a free-for-all but that we allow for contact in our races and move on from this "he touched me and should be DQed" mentality.

Theres no place for stopping others to run past you by using elbows and pushing them out of the way. Blocking the lanes by running wide is fine. They were lucky nobody hit back. I know so many guys that would just snap and push these guys into the inner field. Would be hilarious to see but keep doing things like this and youll see other runners take revenge.

Swinging your elbows wide is called "taking up more space." Pushing back is defending one's space. If you want to pass and avoid all contact then swing wide and have the balls to make the move.

And, if you employ these type of tactics then you accept that some runner might snap and punch you in the face or send in an enforcer to take you out.

All in all, it would be more enjoyable to watch.

Yeah, I think the wall was a brilliant tactic. That's smart team running. But if the fourth place runner has the guts to swing out to lane 4, he should be allowed to pass without being roughed up. The guy who threw the punch should be DQ'd, but I think everyone else was fine.

Mundus Vult wrote:

Swinging your elbows wide is called "taking up more space." Pushing back is defending one's space. If you want to pass and avoid all contact then swing wide and have the balls to make the move.

And, if you employ these type of tactics then you accept that some runner might snap and punch you in the face or send in an enforcer to take you out.

All in all, it would be more enjoyable to watch.

Sure, but swinging your elbows wide INTO another runner as he passes you is not "taking up more space".

first of all no one cares b/c canada sucks... 2nd of all its a good strategy.. dont run like a ***** and take the lead from the get go.

Then just have guys run in their own lanes.

How can you not watch this race and laugh and smile during the last 3 minutes? It is awesome to watch these guys try to overcome the team tactics and they are just too slow and too pansy to do it. There are at least three occasions when guys should have defended their position and dropped a Guelph runner (especially that goofy, head-back Aryan looking dude).

This is what track needs. I hope in the finals someone straight punches Proudfoot in the balls..

Mundus Vult wrote:

This is what track needs. I hope in the finals someone straight punches Proudfoot in the balls..

I also hope the runners in the finals take a lesson from this and give as good as they take. These guys have shown what they will do, so don't take any crap from them. (and Blondie should have been DQ'd).

Mundus Vult wrote:

Then just have guys run in their own lanes.

How can you not watch this race and laugh and smile during the last 3 minutes? It is awesome to watch these guys try to overcome the team tactics and they are just too slow and too pansy to do it. There are at least three occasions when guys should have defended their position and dropped a Guelph runner (especially that goofy, head-back Aryan looking dude).

This is what track needs. I hope in the finals someone straight punches Proudfoot in the balls..

I did laugh and smile. I had no problems with the tactics and the wall, I'm just saying that pushing your elbow into someone trying to pass in lane 3 is just too so childish. It can be done a few times but then it'll just turn into who can harass the others the most with elbows and punches rather than whos the fastest runner. And I agree, what those guys were terrible at defending their positions.

It was pretty funny to watch. "calling experts" is also pretty funny. Multiple guys swung wide and used their arms to block them from passing. I'm all about strategic racing, but this was obviously physically impeding and not tactically sound. I would have liked to hear that conversation they had to employ this tactic.

runner85 wrote:

It was pretty funny to watch. "calling experts" is also pretty funny. Multiple guys swung wide and used their arms to block them from passing. I'm all about strategic racing, but this was obviously physically impeding and not tactically sound. I would have liked to hear that conversation they had to employ this tactic.

The rumour (which was confirmed by the DQ'ed guy on Trackie) was that the Guelph guys were clearly trying to allow an inferior runner (to a few other guys) to come in the top-2 at OUA's so that he can get the auto qualification for CIS. Sure, the 'inferior runner' was ranked 13th (top-12 qualify), but taking the pace out would allow for at least 3 other threats to not only draft but also potentially kick and overtake him in the ranking (including a 3:46 1500m guy who was ranked in the 20s for the 3000m. wearing Yellow in the video).

He may be ranked 13th in terms of time but he is definitely not 13th best in the CIS. For example, when I ran in CanWest, the only time that we got to race on a fast track was at the Cargill Games in Winnipeg, where we only got to race in one event. CanWest Championships were tactical and usually on a slow track.

Guelph, on the other hand, races numerous times in fast meets and on good tracks at sea level. Their guy also had the benefit of having fast teammates, who could have easily paced him to standard if he were actually capable of achieving it. Most of the other guys competing in the CIS don't have that luxury.

I thought that Guelph's tactics were disgusting and all three of their top guys should have been DQ'd for impeding other runners. I'd also be in favor of the three of them losing their spots in the CIS 3000m, but the CIS would never have the balls to do that. I hope that CPT kicks Proudfoot to the curb at the championships!

I agree with Mundus Vult. That was the most entertaining 3k of the year.

Shows hiwnhard it is to pass indoors at outdoors they couldn't pull it off.

Should it be a DQ? Probably but it still was awesome. Maybe we can get a team concept in running.

wejo wrote:

I agree with Mundus Vult. That was the most entertaining 3k of the year.

Shows hiwnhard it is to pass indoors at outdoors they couldn't pull it off.

Should it be a DQ? Probably but it still was awesome. Maybe we can get a team concept in running.

This sport is supposed to be about who's the fastest, not who can impede the other runners the best. There are plenty of ways to use teamwork and run a tactical race without breaking the rules.

This was really good team tactics, the wall going into lane 3 was hilarious and actually executed pretty well until the shoving.

The blatant cutting off of an opponent and pushing is where it gets worse. You can use your elbows/shoulders to protect your space, but you shouldn't be pushing or running across someone else.