Robert Young fakes run across America

Not a Fan wrote:

https://www.facebook.com/marathonmanuk/?ref=ts&fref=ts

According to this video, he has a pretty elaborate system of recording his run.

Multiple backups. Several GPS's, Go Pro, satellite pings, documentary film crews following him, paper logs signed by policemen/film crews/other runners, Open Tracking,

He can't fake all of them.

No, but he selected the ones easiest to fake and not the easiest one to actually use to record his run - his GPS watch uploaded to Strava. That is very basic but not used. They had to contrive all of these other methods that allow them to create data as needed.

113 wrote:

The journalist from CCTV is amazing:

"I am Associated Press Photographer of the Year twice: 2014 and 2013."

No you aren't, because there is no such award.

You won an award in the Class 2 television division for the Associated Press Television Radio Association of California and Nevada, but I guess that doesn't have the same ring to it:

https://webcache.googleusercontent.com/search?q=cache:Ih6ANcLZAKwJ:https://www.aptra.com/awards_2014_winners.asp+&cd=4&hl=en&ct=clnk&gl=us

"The national Edward R. Murrow award for feature stories"

No, you didn't. Your station won a regional Murrow award for a story on whalers in the small market television division:

http://rtdna.org/content/2014_region_1_murrow_winners

Not really upping the level of credibility here.

Not to mention CCTV is China Central Television: state-run propaganda outfit that no reputable journalist would really want to work for. Sorry.

113 wrote:it was a very tough day for Rob. It’s such a shame that he can’t be left alone to try to do this enormous task but is being called on to explain himself at every moment. .

It's such a shame he is being forced to document his breaking a long-standing record that he is broadcasting to the world.

How to be left alone: just do it without broadcasting it to the world and without claiming you're setting a record.

Wait, I thought he was doing it to raise awareness and money, you know, not for himself but for the children. Now he wants to be left alone and doesn't want to explain himself? Is it for others or for himself.

Now if you'll leave me alone, I'm going to go set the world record for the clean and jerk. I'll let you know when I'm done. I have friends who will vouch that I'm a really nice guy who is pretty strong and has suffered personal tragedy. That ought to do it. It'd be a real shame if I had to be inconvenienced to actually document my world record. Oh, and I'm not doing it for myself, I'm doing it for the children.

elephino wrote:

Oh, and I'm not doing it for myself, I'm doing it for the children.

Every cheater and politician's defense.

If I really was capable of doing what he is doing I WOULD SHOW EVERY SINGLE STEP I TOOK. PERIOD. I would be showing gps, pace, cadence, heart rate, and I would have a GoPro pointed at me at all times.

DMulvee wrote:

The TomTom watches that were shown need a separate heart rate strap, and so possibly won't show a HR if he doesn't wear one - BUT they do record strides per minute.

I haven't ever tried seeing what strides per minute come up if I am in a car, but this should be data that helps to prove his case, if he is genuine.

It is an ultra running secret that you should always get the gps watch without HR on wrist, then ride in vehicle at a believable pace and swing your arms forward and back.

Rob's supporters are sheep. Check this out:

Verka Lafeuille Read his autobiography. Don't judge what you don't know. No inconsistencies, just a genuine running hero. Please stop trying to put down what you can't personally even dream of achieving!!!

Like · Reply · 1 hr

Markus Mueller

Markus Mueller Verka Lafeuille I actually judge what I know. Multiday running is not a skill you can pick up in a supermarket. I am running ultras for 31 years and I have seen a lot of fine athletes doing great things. I think I know how a ultrarunner looks like on day 28 in a Trans Con. Robert just got some sunburn. Why is that. I had a deep tan after week three.

Like · Reply · 2 · 1 hr

Marathonmanuk

Marathonmanuk Yes, please read Rob's book. There are no inconsistancies, it's all in there. Message us your address, Markus, and Rob said he will send you one for free.

Like · Reply · 3 · 54 mins

Lee Lammin

Lee Lammin I think he said that anyone can come and run with him? Why don't you if you thinks it rubbish??

Like · Reply · 3 · 50 mins

James Gonzales

James Gonzales Jealousy really is a horrible trait Markus.

Like · Reply · 3 · 50 mins

Verka Lafeuille

Verka Lafeuille Markus Mueller if you haven't lived his life you know nothing at all. You should know more than most how important your mental strength is if you are an experienced ultra runner. As for sunburn or tan, surely you are aware of differences in skin tones and complexions?!?!?! There are millions of British people who never get a deep tan even if they live in bloody Africa!!!

Like · Reply · 45 mins

Markus Mueller

Markus Mueller I am not jealous at all. I am happy for every excellent ultramarathon performance somebody achieves.

Like · Reply · 1 · 45 mins

Tim Russell

Tim Russell Markus Mueller He's British, they don't get tans :)

Like · Reply · 1 · 43 mins

Tim Russell

Tim Russell Markus Mueller Also, how do we actually know you exist if we can't verify that all the time ? It's sad you can't fathom this after he ran all those marathons last year, but it's even more sad that you default to the assumpion that they put all this effort in , just to pull one over our eyes. Get off your armchair and join him.

Like · Reply · 2 · 36 mins

Ben Pangie

Ben Pangie Autobiography. What does that not seem like the most reliable source of information?

Like · Reply · 1 · 34 mins

Doug Brandt

Doug Brandt If David Warady believes in you, then so do I. All the best to you on your journey. As far as LR is concerned, that forum is of no concern.

Question: About what date do you plan to run through Columbus, Ohio? I am on vacation from June 17-24, and I don't want to miss you coming through.

Good running to you!

Doug

Like · Reply · 2 · 1 hr · Edited

Dean Davis

Dean Davis Either get on side people or don't follow Rob, seriously if he is cheating he ain't cheating you personally, I'm sure he never thought screw this person screw that person I'm going to have them over! He is out there giving it a go. Just stop following him and go and try achieve something yourselves and simply pay it no mind! I'm sure all the negativity will have an adverse impact! Go and have a run or a beer or something!

Like · Reply · 2 · 27 mins

Lindley Chambers

Lindley Chambers But if he is cheating then he is cheating the original record holder and the sponsors and the reputation on ultra running and all those people who believe in him. I don't care about the record I care about the sport and the damage. Dean if someone cheated in my race and beat you to first place you would be pissed. I actually think he is capable but really not doing it right and has left himself open to scrutiny and this video is just a response to the scrutiny and it should have been like this from the start. Guinness have rules about record attempts like this in order to be qualified and I would have expected better information and recording to keep it looking whiter than white. I hope he is doing it but still many questions to be answered.

Like · Reply · 1 · 22 mins

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Andy Persson

Andy Persson Well done Rob for posting this. I've been in discussion on one of the forums and have shared this. Hopefully this will go some way to appeasing the doubters. Keep going, mate. You're doing an amazing thing.

Like · Reply · 3 · 1 hr

Stephen Cousins

Stephen Cousins Andy, I've been following on Let's Run and tbh I think you're better off leaving them to it. They are generally pretty horrible and you'll jyst get dragged in and get depressed. I've been aching to chime in but I think I'm better keeping out of it. You can't win with them as you've seen when the triathlon evidence was posted. Just thinking of your mental health!

Like · Reply · 2 · 1 hr

Cas Antwerp

Cas Antwerp Stephen Cousins Which evidence? When he was pretending to be part of a pro cycling team?

Like · Reply · 59 mins

Stephen Cousins

Stephen Cousins No, the European Long Distance Championships in Germany in 2004.

Like · Reply · 18 mins

Veronique Isabelle Ayme

Veronique Isabelle Ayme Well Rob it's a sad shame you are having to do this sort of stuff. If at all possible, ignore all the angry people who instead of looking after their lives prefer to put others down for fun. Your attempt has really unearthed how the running community has so many nasty mouths in it alongside the good guys. People like you inspire others to go out and have a go and do their best. It matters. Those who prefer to comment from far away (especially anonymously) really don't deserve the time of day. They make the running community look unwelcoming, aggressive and in-fighting and put others off from trying anything. Meh.

Like · Reply · 1 · 1 hr · Edited

Verka Lafeuille

Verka Lafeuille Rob, you are doing everything you are meant to. Just run. There will always be people who just can't get past their own judgements and simple, predominantly negative minds x

Like · Reply · 2 · 1 hr

Lee Lammin

Lee Lammin Well that's all you can do to. Either people accept it or they don't. You will never convince some people but that's life. How was the previous record recorded? Would be good to know. Keep up the great work. 👍

Like · Reply · 1 · 1 hr

2 Replies · 53 mins

Maggie Flanagan

Maggie Flanagan Just one word for you Rob - INTEGRITY - and you have it by the bucketful.

Do not let these negative individuals get to you, YOU know what you have done / are doing, your SUPPORTERS are fully behind you & know the kind of person you are.

I'm sure that ...See More

Like · Reply · 2 · 1 hr

Rob Tucker

Rob Tucker This is outstanding... when will you actually post this so that everyone can move on? It will be awesome to evaluate your speed, cadence and route to get some great tips.

Like · Reply · 2 · 1 hr

This is outstanding... when will you actually post this so that everyone can move on? It will be awesome to evaluate your speed, cadence and route to get some great tips.

Like · Reply · 2 · 1 hr

Elliot Jones

Elliot Jones Will you be uploading the data from the watches to Strava?

Like · Reply · 3 · 1 hr

Cas Antwerp

Cas Antwerp Sorry, no internet!

Like · Reply · 1 · 1 hr

Lindley Chambers

Lindley Chambers No Internet but blogs and videos go up fine?

Like · Reply · 2 · 46 mins

Cas Antwerp

Cas Antwerp Lindley Chambers Don't be a hater! Rob would never cheat!

Like · Reply · 2 · 41 mins

Brett Stewart

Brett Stewart I'm just impressed he can get that Tom Tom watch to work for more than 90 minutes; I have the same model and it dies constantly

Like · Reply · 24 mins

Lindley Chambers

Lindley Chambers That's how it should be done BUT it's been quoted by many including his crew that the tracker has been in the van and that he has not always worn or started his watch. Even Kevin O'Rourke has said on two different forums that the watch and tracker have not been worn all the time. Also if the tracker is worn all the time I don't understand how it's recording 17mph in some cases and other higher than running averages. If rob is doing all these things then great that's how it should be but there are many conflicting reports from Rob and supporters about tracking and there is still no explanation as to why the vehicle has been seen at slow speeds with no runner running on several occasions. ?

It's all very confusing.

It could all be fixed by uploading to strava. Internet is not a valid argument ad this video and blogs and emails seem to work!

Like · Reply · 38 mins · Edited

Cas Antwerp

Cas Antwerp Why don't you just upload the data right now? Do you need to hide something?

Like · Reply · 4 · 1 hr

Hide 11 Replies

Veronique Isabelle Ayme

Veronique Isabelle Ayme Just for you because you say so or what?

Like · Reply · 2 · 1 hr

Andrew Isaac

Andrew Isaac Comment from a twat again

Like · Reply · 1 · 1 hr

Cas Antwerp

Cas Antwerp Andrew Isaac I don't like cheaters. He could very easily upload all his data to Strava.

Like · Reply · 3 · 1 hr

Mark Boozell

Mark Boozell Exactly. He can post a video but not his data?

Like · Reply · 1 · 1 hr

Oliver Northrop

Oliver Northrop Cas why are you liking you own comments on fb? Are trying to win troll of the day or something?

Like · Reply · 3 · 1 hr

Veronique Isabelle Ayme

Veronique Isabelle Ayme Cas Antwerp if he wants to do it at the end, that's his prerogative and nothing to do with you. If you need a record, put your shoes on and get going. As we say if you have nothing nice to say say nothing. Period. It comes across as absolute pure jealousy and really reflects appallingly on this whole running community which seems full of vipers.

Like · Reply · 4 · 1 hr · Edited

Elliot Jones

Elliot Jones The reason is because they don't have good internet access at the moment... But they somehow managed to upload this video. Oh the irony

Like · Reply · 3 · 1 hr · Edited

Pamala Hatfield

Pamala Hatfield Elliot Jones you're sitting in the UK judging his Internet access, when you have absolutely no idea what the terrain is like where he is. I however am very familiar with the area, Internet and cell phone signals SUCK there, it's hilly, and tree covered with rock bluffs. Oh the irony of people talking when they don't have a clue what they're talking about!!

Like · Reply · 2 · 1 hr

Cas Antwerp

Cas Antwerp Veronique Isabelle Ayme No internet to upload to Strava? Hmmm... how is he uploading these videos?

Like · Reply · 1 hr

BoneHawk wrote:

http://www.marathonmanuk.co.uk/what-they-say/

Been investigating the quotes and some of them are hilarious.

Rob is one of the most extraordinary athletes I have ever measured, and his running form is exquisite

DANIEL E. LIEBERMAN -Professor of Biological Sciences, Harvard University

Also there is no record of many of these quotes on the internet so hmmmmmmmmm

I emailed Professor Lieberman this morning, told him about the thread, and asked him if he had been quoted correctly. He replied as follows (and he has given me permission to quote him here):

"That is an accurate quote from me (and yes Rob really does have excellent running form), given to a journalist in the UK who I recall was writing an article about Rob. I personally measured Rob’s biomechanics twice: once in California at the beginning of the Race Across the USA, and then a second time in DC after he finished. I did not accompany the runners between the two coasts, but I did ask someone to take high speed videos of the runners (including Rob) about halfway through the race when they were in Texas."

LOL

He is setting up a "hero-injury" opt out clause now. He will take a cutesy picture with some little kids that spell "ankle injury is another word for toughness."

All he needs is a post drop out segment with Oprah. She eats up stories like this.

Really interesting to compare this guy to Adam Kimble, who tried to break this record last year:

First, Kimble is a much more accomplished and proven runner (even though he also came to the sport late):

https://adamkimble.com/about/

Second, he was much better prepared with a bigger crew, multiple vehicles, a smarter route, and a better time of year:

http://www.outsideonline.com/2050576/adam-kimbles-insane-plan-run-across-america

And he didn't really come close. He still ran coast-to-coast, which is awesome. I have a lot of respect for the fact that he made no excuses about not doing it. It's a badass record.

http://firesideprovisions.com/adam-kimble-recap/

Mike Ross wrote:

jim1919 wrote:

Nothing there.

http://i.imgur.com/LI2r7eZ.jpg

Yeah, that's not a person. Thanks

I ran it through a couple different filters and got this:

Looks like a runner to me. Is it me or is he wearing jeans and sandals, though?

Moo Goo wrote:

He is setting up a "hero-injury" opt out clause now. He will take a cutesy picture with some little kids that spell "ankle injury is another word for toughness."

All he needs is a post drop out segment with Oprah. She eats up stories like this.

She's been there before:

Do English people not know this is the worst time of year weather-wise to attempt something like this?

I said the same when discussing this with someone. I'm the first to admit I detest running with unnecessary gadgets, and in races where splits are recorded with some regularity (a few 100's I've run have had splits recorded every 10-15 miles) I don't even wear a $3 watch from the dollar store.

But, if I were going for a world record-- you'd better bet the whole house and farm I'd have a Garmin, backup, and then backup for the backup. You just don't go into something like this expecting people to be understanding when you don't have proof of what you did. You don't go into something like this unprepared, and ill prepared to answer questions. You don't balk and stall and refuse to address problems. You have to have data. Proof is your burden. Period.

You upload that stuff regularly. People don't want to see where your crew car is; they want to see how your body handled the effort. They want to see the action.

Wah Wah wrote:

I have never once forgotten to start my watch anytime I have ever started running. It's automatic to do this. He speaks to this as a regular occurrence.

Yup, it's called muscle memory. Seems odd he wouldn't have this down considering how much he runs.

Rob -

Please - Just explain this:

https://goo.gl/photos/oK8L339ndAqJFZiPA

(I did not copy all the other data showing this was your running route and the time and place you claimed to be running - this is the same video from page 1)

:51 in - your RV goes by - you are not running! Even if you claim you are the blind side (left side) of the RV, a car passes on the left and does not swerve or slow down like they would if a runner was out in the street.

A lot of BS (truth or not) being written here about you.

Just logically explain this, and maybe I can believe in you again.

Check out the 2:10 am screenshot I posted, and the tracker (live on his website) at the intersection of Fauna Road and Highway 50 at Lebo. The screenshot shows that they advanced, and then came back in order to not record a fast segment. Subsequently, they sat at that intersection while I drove ahead to film again (2:15ish). But why drive ahead instead of talking to this guy? Because 3 times I saw an RV drive by with no runner, and 1 time they drove away from me running up behind. I preferred to get another video rather than listen to a made up story. I also didn't want to try to film a discussion and get my phone (and evidence) smashed. Finally, I'm not a PI; I'm a guy who wanted to run with Rob, but couldn't find him. All I want is a plausible story from him or his crew as to where he was at that time, and also where he was in relation to the RV when it drove down 6th Ave in Emporia.

I guess he thinks winter over here.Hey redcoat, we're in the western hemisphere and not the eastern. Its summer over here. lol

This is not London wrote:

Do English people not know this is the worst time of year weather-wise to attempt something like this?