Did Mike Rossi (viral marathon dad) cheat his way into Boston?

I ran with Mike during the Lehigh marathon. He slowed down a bit at the end. I was surprised he didn't finish with a better time.

So in plain english, 32 minute improvement for the former, 19 minute in the latter. Both 14.3%

40 seconds per mile slower than race pace is too slow, not sure what training plan you follow.. But my 18 milers are right on pace.

Not sure why people mention his age all the time - it's not a huge concern, imho - there are plenty of late 40s - mid 50s - late 50s guys who run sub 3 marathons without any problems and any cheating. Not defending the guy - just saying it's not that unusual - just check BAA results page.

Sub3HourMarathoner wrote:

I ran with Mike during the Lehigh marathon. He slowed down a bit at the end. I was surprised he didn't finish with a better time.

Fantastic! What was your bib number? We'll look up your photos and I'm sure we'll see Mike running right next to you!! Where were you 20 pages ago??!!??!!

Sub3HourMarathoner wrote:

I ran with Mike during the Lehigh marathon. He slowed down a bit at the end. I was surprised he didn't finish with a better time.

Golly gee, it looks like it was all a mistake then and his race was legit!

As I'm sure you are an honest person, can you provide your Bib number for the Lehigh marathon that you ran with Mike?

We'll then be able to see the race photos proving that he ran and everything will settle out truthfully. And of course if there are no race photos of you either that's ok too as we'll finally see the proof that another runner who finished with him was missing from the race photos.

The last photographer at Lehigh (before the finish line), was just after the turn around after going under the bridge at South 3rd Street, i.e., just short of the 26 mile mark. Those pictures have the asphalt path with the river just to the right, and that photographer got everyone in my group multiple times.

http://www.viamarathon.org/event_info/course/map_marathon_relay.php

He may have been in the crowd and jumped in right at the very end?

Sub3HourMarathoner wrote:

I ran with Mike during the Lehigh marathon. He slowed down a bit at the end. I was surprised he didn't finish with a better time.

I had lunch with Jesus Christ last Friday and he told me that Pastafarianism is the one true religion to follow.

A lot of posts complain Rossi stole a race spot from another qualifier who didn't get to go, which is reprehensible, but that isn't the only consequence of a fake BQ. Cheaters also screw up corral and wave assignments. Rossi running in W2C1 bumps somebody who should have been in that corral into W2C2, who in turn bumps somebody into C3, &c. Enough cheats in the low 3 hour range and you've got a lot of frusterated runners stuck in traffic.

I just dont get where everyone's anger comes from.

let's assume he did do this. he did cheat.

to me it just shows he lives a life where he is so dependent on external validation that he has to go to extremes to get it. that's not a fun life to live.

sucks to be him. i would condemn him just as much as anyone else for cheating, but after that, i could care less.

why do all of you take it upon yourself to punish someone? why do you find so much pleasure in this.

its stupid he did it, but im not going to start a witch hunt to take down a person who obviously doesnt find value in himself without this sort of external validation in the news.

thats just me.

but hey, maybe you guys are right. if he did cheat, and he does suffer these consequences, maybe he will have a chance to reevaluate how he wants to value himself. what he actually values.

i dont know. i guess there are pros and cons.

i just like to be a little more compassionate with people's problems that lead them to making stupid choices. but hey, it may be good for him as long as it doesnt cross the line of physcial harm or prevent him from getting a second chance if he does rrepent

elephino wrote:

Ev man wrote:

It doesn't matter whether we talk about the family or not. If we attempt to bring as much public humiliation on Mike as possible (that's the goal of folks on this thread, right?), his family will be affected. Probably seriously.

Mike Rossi: "LOOK AT ME! LOOK AT WHAT I DO! I'M WONDERFUL. MY EVERY BOWEL MOVEMENT SHOULD BE SHARED WITH AND CELEBRATED BY THE WORLD! THIS PRINCIPAL WOULDN'T MAKE AN EXCEPTION TO WRITTEN POLICY FOR MY WONDERFULNESS AND THEREFORE MUST BE PUBLICLY SHAMED FOR DOING HER JOB!!!

Wait, don't look at me. I'm just a humble, private guy. Don't look at what I do."

Did I get that about right?

Bwahahahahhaaaa... I just pissed my pants.

As one who ran the Via Marathon legitimately to get back to Boston on the last day before registration after a bad injury I am LOVING this. The quest for truth is a beautiful thing to behold. Kudos to all those of you who keep digging. Be relentless!

oh please wrote:

So in plain english, 32 minute improvement for the former, 19 minute in the latter. Both 14.3%

Yeah that's right. Thanks.

Do you read or just ask question?

there is no anger. stop ascribing emotion to what is nothing more than fact. Rossi has cheated. He is denying he cheated.There is a desire to uncover truth.

I think you're looking for the Runners World forum. Have a nice day!!! :) !!!

This is a good thought. Especially early. He either ran hard early in the 7:30 range then jumped off, or ran his real marathon pace of 8:15-9:00 before he jumped off, he may be in some early photos with this gang.Is there anything supporting this guys claim at this point other than finish line photos?

Late to the Party wrote:

Has anyone checked the photos of where Mike should have been? Say the 3:30 to 4:00 finishers. Maybe he shows up in an early photo. I started looking at some of the runners, but not sure where the pictures are taken.

His finish line photo does look awfully dry for such a hot day.

Friend request me on facebook and I'll let you see them. https://www.facebook.com/gregstransform

Ev man wrote:

You are the one making the choice about what the consequences are. They are not foreordained.

And if your idea is that the consequences of an adult cheating should be ruining a kid's life - you are a cheap piece of shit.

Or if you believe in what you are doing, why hide behind the anonymous username?

I haven't said anything about the kids. However, since you bring it up, who put the kids in this situation?

Also, you're obviously in the right here. Why are you hiding behind anonymity?