Course cutter at CIM? ... UPDATE: RD Says Likely Timing Error

David S. Pumpkins wrote:

But at this point you can just email the race director to clear this up. No one is benefiting anything from leaving this thread up, except maybe some smug armchair detectives get to feel superior for calling out a guy that most likely had a rough day. Get over the high and mighty act.

Yeah, yeah, every time a cheating thread is started some self-righteous jerk like you comes on the board and says pretty much the same thing and they're always right. Oh hang on a sec...

If he didn't cheat that will become evident and the thread will instantly die.

Pumpkin Eater wrote:

David S. Pumpkins wrote:

smug armchair detectives get to feel superior

self-righteous jerk like you

Well I guess we both think we're better than everyone else.

Seems this runner cut the course...

Hit 10k at a good pace...faded badly enough by half marathon mark [minus 21 seconds overall pace] and then ran the last half at world record half marathon pace, finishing 23rd overall.

https://results.chronotrack.com/event/results/event/event-23616

Editor's Note: LetsRun.com received the following email from CIM race director Eli Asch explaining that they are ">99% certain" that this was a timing error rather than a case of course cutting.

Eli Asch: "While we're still completing our investigation, it's our current belief that the runner referred to in the thread dropped out somewhere between halfway and 20, took race drop-out transportation to the Finish Line, and then went to the public spectator viewing area near the Finish Line where his chip was picked up by our timing hardware. He doesn't appear crossing the line in finish photos or video at the time listed for his finish, so it's our belief that he's not an intentional cheater; it's on us that he's included in our results, not on him. ... It looks >99% certain that it was a timing error and not intentional cheaing."

At this point I think the onus is on the RD to clear this up. My guess is the guy has no effing clue that he should call the RD. I barely check results in races I run, and I most certainly wouldn't if I DNFed. Guy is probably pissed and feeling sorry for himself.

Some people take results very seriously, others do not. I glance at results occasionally, but I trust the RD to get it right. If I DNFed a race - I haven't to date - I would probably want to forget it altogether. Personally, I would probably make sure I wasn't included, but that is because I am a lifelong runner who knows that these things actually mean something. I don't expect all of the race participants to feel the same way. Not everyone is a results wonk like most of us.

In the Washington Post article about that lady who cheated in the Half, one comment said something along the lines of "anyone who considers themselves a serious runner has a GPS watch and keeps a profile on a site like Strava." That struck a chord with me because I am a former D1 runner who has run many marathons in the 2:30s. I am not great, but I consider myself a serious runner. I have never had a GPS watch and keep no online log of any kind. I just run. I don't think it's that odd.

If the thread remains, I think the BroJos ought to change the title. Also, I think someone needs to alert the RD. After all, it is their job to get this right. All this dude did was DNF a race.

I am not saying it ought to be dropped, but that the RD is somehow absent in this discussion and really ought to get this out of the results.

Good points. Clearly he DNF'd. They need to clear it up. He's 23rd overall! 101th place becomes top 100. 51st place is now top 50. How could anyone in the race ignore this? Meaningless 26th place now prestigious top 25.

Everyone should be emailing the RD.

We received an email from CIM race director Eli Asch explaining that they are ">99% certain" that this was a timing error rather than a case of course cutting.

Eli Asch: "While we're still completing our investigation, it's our current belief that the runner referred to in the thread dropped out somewhere between halfway and 20, took race drop-out transportation to the Finish Line, and then went to the public spectator viewing area near the Finish Line where his chip was picked up by our timing hardware. He doesn't appear crossing the line in finish photos or video at the time listed for his finish, so it's our belief that he's not an intentional cheater; it's on us that he's included in our results, not on him. ... It looks >99% certain that it was a timing error and not intentional cheating."

rojo wrote:

We received an email from CIM race director Eli Asch explaining that they are ">99% certain" that this was a timing error rather than a case of course cutting.

Eli Asch: "While we're still completing our investigation, it's our current belief that the runner referred to in the thread dropped out somewhere between halfway and 20, took race drop-out transportation to the Finish Line, and then went to the public spectator viewing area near the Finish Line where his chip was picked up by our timing hardware. He doesn't appear crossing the line in finish photos or video at the time listed for his finish, so it's our belief that he's not an intentional cheater; it's on us that he's included in our results, not on him. ... It looks >99% certain that it was a timing error and not intentional cheating."

BURN HIM ANYWAY!!!!

This thread will now quickly die and thanks to the LR sleuths and basement trolls he's had publicity for his cause that he wouldn't have had otherwise and been proven innocent, so he's a winner. Be nice if he came on here and thanked us.

I'm going to have an article up on my blog about this tomorrow.

gahuga wrote: that GoFundMe post is awfully reminiscent of other cheaters.

Ya, that had everything: tragic loss, self congratulation for courage and sacrifice and hard work, claiming to be an inspiration to the little people, doing it for the children...

It's like it was written by a cheater bot.

Goner wrote:

I'm going to have an article up on my blog about this tomorrow.

What aspect of this story are you covering? The rush to judgement, the need to tell race officials when you drop out, or the dangers of walking next to the finish line to spectate after the race?

Most runners don't realize that their chips can be picked up a few feet away since they went to chips on bibs.

I was at the mile masters championships in Flint the night before the Crim 10 mile. People were picking up their bibs for the Crim and then going over to watch the finish of the mile races. They were constantly telling people to move away because their chip was being picked up and they had to keep removing those from the results.

If I ran a good portion of the race, I would probably want to get a little of the post race food or beers that are provided near the finish line.

alright, i get to move up a place now!

sad no one cares wrote:

Good points. Clearly he DNF'd. They need to clear it up. He's 23rd overall! 101th place becomes top 100. 51st place is now top 50. How could anyone in the race ignore this? Meaningless 26th place now prestigious top 25.

Everyone should be emailing the RD.

Crap. I ran 2:23 so I stay the same.

rejoice wrote:

alright, i get to move up a place now!

sad no one cares wrote:

Good points. Clearly he DNF'd. They need to clear it up. He's 23rd overall! 101th place becomes top 100. 51st place is now top 50. How could anyone in the race ignore this? Meaningless 26th place now prestigious top 25.

Everyone should be emailing the RD.

How close and sensitive are those mats? Seems like in XC you run over them and it misses your split. In a road race you are 25 meters away and it gets ya. Crazy.

rejoice wrote:

alright, i get to move up a place now!

sad no one cares wrote:

Good points. Clearly he DNF'd. They need to clear it up. He's 23rd overall! 101th place becomes top 100. 51st place is now top 50. How could anyone in the race ignore this? Meaningless 26th place now prestigious top 25.

Everyone should be emailing the RD.

If 70th place is a Beavus And Buthead type, they thinking moving up a place is really cool also

rojo wrote:

We received an email from CIM race director Eli Asch explaining that they are ">99% certain" that this was a timing error rather than a case of course cutting.

Eli Asch: "While we're still completing our investigation, it's our current belief that the runner referred to in the thread dropped out somewhere between halfway and 20, took race drop-out transportation to the Finish Line, and then went to the public spectator viewing area near the Finish Line where his chip was picked up by our timing hardware. He doesn't appear crossing the line in finish photos or video at the time listed for his finish, so it's our belief that he's not an intentional cheater; it's on us that he's included in our results, not on him. ... It looks >99% certain that it was a timing error and not intentional cheating."

Awesome. Thanks

How bout William madden @ baystate this year? No photos except @ finish line and misses 3 mats in a row before finish.... hmmmmm lol

CIM is going after cheaters.

https://runsra.org/2017/10/31/letter-cim-race-director/