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

DumbRunnr wrote:

Whyamihere wrote:

So could he admit he cheated AND collect the 100k by running 3:11:45?

Hypothetically speaking, yes. But that would be lying.

.

... and lying for two reasons: One - because he'll never admit he cheated and two - because you'd have to believe that he could run a 3:11:45 to collect. Good point. That whole statement is as hypothetical as asking if you could time travel to the birth of Santa Claus.

Picture me TROLLIN wrote:

Why attack Ken? If Ken gets in trouble for violating the Mike Rossi "Grimes for Dimes" Cease & Desist Letter, then that is Ken's responsibility. Let Ken worry about the consequences.

Now back to the topic, let's focus on mike Rossi and lehigh via marathon

You can suck my c0ck buddy.

Don't tell me wtf I can post.

LMR wrote:

Kip Litton wrote:

Ken, what's unclear to me is if your mother-in-law reporter didn't cover and publish the Brojo's challenge, which was a real story, why would she be interested in this non-story? A story where no one saw anything and one which McKeever has responded to already and neither you or anyone else is going to get any more out of her.

The Brojo's offer got a total of 6 stories and you're going to criticize her for not covering it? You're an idiot.

Ken, I stated a fact, she didn't cover it, I didn't criticize her or pass judgment.

What you're pursuing is a non-story, many of the runners who would have been around Rossi if he had run that time have already been contacted and said they didn't see him, either on the course or getting off/on the course, etc and no other person has come forward. McKeever has said unless there is further evidence she is not going to pursue it further and it's also quite clear she's not going to comment further.

You are undertaking an exercise in futility and will end up with a non-story which your MIL won't be interested in, especially as she "didn't cover and publish the Brojo's challenge, which was a real story" to do with Rossi.

You will have to pursue your vendetta against Rossi by other means.

Kip Litton wrote:

You are undertaking an exercise in futility and will end up with a non-story which your MIL won't be interested in, especially as she "didn't cover and publish the Brojo's challenge, which was a real story" to do with Rossi.

+1

Apparently some of these runners did remember Mike, and therefore the race committee declared his innocence after having completed their investigations.

I think that one INTERESTING thing about contacting these 100 runners would be what, if anything, they had already heard about this cheating scandal. It might even be worth betting the over/under on.

Having followed this thread for awhile, I wonder what percentage of runners from last year's race are already aware of this, and to what degree.

Of course, I also feel that Ken should NOT contact these people, but assuming he is in the middle of doing so now....

Ken, when you bring up the subject...how many say:

Oh, that guy? Yeah I read /heard about that! Crazy......

and how many are informed of it by the first time by you?

A related question...Has any one of the 100 or so runners in question or ANY runner in the video with, what, 200 photographed runners, posted in this thread?

SmartRunnr wrote:

Kip Litton wrote:

You are undertaking an exercise in futility and will end up with a non-story which your MIL won't be interested in, especially as she "didn't cover and publish the Brojo's challenge, which was a real story" to do with Rossi.

+1

Apparently some of these runners did remember Mike, and therefore the race committee declared his innocence after having completed their investigations.

Please point to where in the Committee's statement or provide the quote for which they declared Rossi's innocence, used the word(s) innocence/innocent or used any affirmative word(s) that he did indeed complete the entire race. They did no such thing.

on letsrun at work wrote:

I think that one INTERESTING thing about contacting these 100 runners would be what, if anything, they had already heard about this cheating scandal. It might even be worth betting the over/under on.

Having followed this thread for awhile, I wonder what percentage of runners from last year's race are already aware of this, and to what degree.

Of course, I also feel that Ken should NOT contact these people, but assuming he is in the middle of doing so now....

Ken, when you bring up the subject...how many say:

Oh, that guy? Yeah I read /heard about that! Crazy......

and how many are informed of it by the first time by you?

A related question...Has any one of the 100 or so runners in question or ANY runner in the video with, what, 200 photographed runners, posted in this thread?

I don't expect ANY of the runners to remember anything. That is kind of the whole point - that runners aren't out on the course policing other runners. So Barb's statement that "nobody saw nothing" is ludicrous to begin with. What I do expect to hear is that none of the runners were contacted, which is what Barb's statement implies to the general public. Hearing from a dozen or so runners that they were not contacted would be proof that no investigation was done.

And these statements will be forwarded to her, on a flash drive, along with a copy of the YouTube video showing the 5 photo checkpoints, as well as expert runner testimony that Mike's time was completely inconceivable. Once she has this proof, she will be contacted to comment on it. Once she has has the opportunity to comment then the story will be written.

This is how a legit story gets written. Not by reading an online article written by somebody else and quizzing somebody on it, not even knowing if they know what you are talking about.

That's not what I meant (or wrote) Ken.

I didn't ask if they remembered him...of course they didn't. He wasn't with them.

I was curious as to who how many of those, let's say 100, runners, were aware that there had been a cheating incident at the LVM involving a runner, and that it had received significant media attention...and follow-up, that it was about "Viral Marathon Dad"

When you contacted them...did they already know about the whole Mike Rossi story, or any of it?

Basically, just wondering how mainstream this story has become, or is it confined to LRC

Kenny

Some questions for you for a possible story on you:

This is your chance to comment.

1. When was the last time you saw mike in person?

2. Have you ever asked mike for comment on the LVM other than posting on this board?

3. Has mike ever contacted you about the LVM not counting any posts you think are him?

4. What is your current fitness program and interest if any?

5. Have you ever or do you plan to complete any running races?

6. How much time have you spent on this issue in 2015?

7. Are your family and friends supportive or aware of your interest in This thread ?

8. Are you interested in the Radcliffe suspicion or other possible issues of integrity in running?

9. Is the wedding industry your only employment?

10. Have you ever served in the armed forces?

11. Do you own a confederate flag or were you just inarticulate about what you were trying to say and people misunderstood you?

12. What is the furthest distance you have run?

13. Do you think M cheated at LVM?

14. If so why and how?

15. What is the number of M\\\'s friends you believe are posting on LRC in support of him?

16. Will you attend and watch any $ race if M accepts the LRC offer?

17. If M confessed would you accept that and an apology?

18. If M won the LRC challenge at all distances would you accept that and apologize to M?

19. Where do you see M in 5 years?

20. Where do you see yourself in 5 years?

21. If you were at an event with M now what would you do, if anything?

Also

Do you go by Kenny, Ken or Kenneth?

Sorry for the informality.

Lookout everybody....he's putting it all on a flash-drive!

on letsrun at work wrote:

That's not what I meant (or wrote) Ken.

I didn't ask if they remembered him...of course they didn't. He wasn't with them.

I was curious as to who how many of those, let's say 100, runners, were aware that there had been a cheating incident at the LVM involving a runner, and that it had received significant media attention...and follow-up, that it was about "Viral Marathon Dad"

When you contacted them...did they already know about the whole Mike Rossi story, or any of it?

Basically, just wondering how mainstream this story has become, or is it confined to LRC

Ken hasn't contacted any runners and he won't do so in the future.

He has been talking about this for weeks/months now but hasn't delivered anything. His contribution to this case is zero.

on letsrun at work wrote:

Basically, just wondering how mainstream this story has become, or is it confined to LRC

I'm fascinated by the story, which is obvious by my posting frequently in this thread. I've told several fellow runners (but not marathoners) about it. None of them had heard the viral marathon dad story nor the subsequent cheating story. They all reacted with basically a polite "that's nice" while their eyes glazed over with a look of "I don't care, why are you telling me this?"

I would totally buy a book on marathon cheaters, the phenomenon fascinates me, but it's of little interest to most people, even runners.

elephino wrote:

I would totally buy a book on marathon cheaters, the phenomenon fascinates me, but it's of little interest to most people, even runners.

If it was well written, there would be a mainstream audience. Jon Ronson wrote a book, "So You've Been Publicly Shamed" about people who were caught out for things like plagiarising and racist tweets. This Rossi thread becomes richer by the week and has enough twists and turns to warrant a book in its own right. A good author would just need to track down a few of the prominent posters to fill in their back stories.

elephino wrote:

on letsrun at work wrote:

Basically, just wondering how mainstream this story has become, or is it confined to LRC

I'm fascinated by the story, which is obvious by my posting frequently in this thread. I've told several fellow runners (but not marathoners) about it. None of them had heard the viral marathon dad story nor the subsequent cheating story. They all reacted with basically a polite "that's nice" while their eyes glazed over with a look of "I don't care, why are you telling me this?"

I would totally buy a book on marathon cheaters, the phenomenon fascinates me, but it's of little interest to most people, even runners.

I tried telling my wife about this whole sordid tale last week (she was the one who originally forwarded the "Letter to the Principal" story).

She couldn't care less about the whole cheating aspect, but she did find the whole Mikey vs. Kenny story to be fascinating and funny.

So your bombshell of a news story is that the race director didn't personally interview every runner in the race, even though you freely admit that you wouldn't expect any runner to remember anything?

The official race statement is:

Over the last several weeks, the LVHN Via Marathon has been reviewing concerns about a runner’s participation in the 2014 Via Marathon. After a detailed review of the existing evidence, we released the statement below.

“After a thorough review of the available evidence in relation to Mike Rossi’s participation in the 2014 Lehigh Valley Health Network Via Marathon, the Marathon committee concluded that while there is data from Rossi’s participation in other racing events indicating that Rossi’s time may not be accurate, there is not conclusive evidence that his time in the 2014 LVHN Via Marathon is inaccurate. The LVHN Via Marathon has not received any reports from the more than 2,500 race participants, thousands of spectators, and more than 600 volunteers, course marshals, security personnel, medical personnel or race officials on the course of any wrong doing by any runner. Therefore the LVHN Via Marathon Committee concluded that Rossi will not be disqualified unless additional conclusive information arises in the future.

Moving forward the LVHN Via Marathon has taken several action steps to verify runner participation and provide the utmost accuracy in timing and scoring the race for all runners. For the 2015 LVHN Via Marathon, the course will have a minimum of six timing mats - at the start, finish line and four additional on-course locations. In addition, there will be video surveillance of the course at several locations which Via will archive annually.

The Lehigh Valley Health Network Via Marathon is proud to be a Boston Marathon Qualifying event and will continue to support this race by providing athletes the opportunity to be a part of this longstanding tradition. The LVHN Via Marathon appreciates the running community’s support and vigilance in ensuring the integrity of our race and looks forward to continuing to provide a high quality racing experience.”

The LVHN Via Marathon raises funds for Via’s services for children and adults with disabilities. We all want the same things from life; a great job in a great community and plenty of friends with whom we share the experience. For people with disabilities, these life goals can be challenging. Via works every day to help people achieve this reality.

Serving our community since 1952, the dedicated and committed care providers at Via work to help children overcome developmental delays, help young adults find meaningful and sustainable jobs, and provide the resources and opportunities so people with disabilities may lead active and enjoyable lives right in their own community.

We will not be making any further comments on this matter.

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

No reports from anyone.

You haven't uncovered conclusive evidence.

So why are you expecting them to make further comments on this matter?

Oh, right. You are putting it on a flash drive.

Does your mother in law know that your entire family calls her daughter "the succubus?"

UnregisteredUsername wrote:

elephino wrote:

I'm fascinated by the story, which is obvious by my posting frequently in this thread. I've told several fellow runners (but not marathoners) about it. None of them had heard the viral marathon dad story nor the subsequent cheating story. They all reacted with basically a polite "that's nice" while their eyes glazed over with a look of "I don't care, why are you telling me this?"

I would totally buy a book on marathon cheaters, the phenomenon fascinates me, but it's of little interest to most people, even runners.

I tried telling my wife about this whole sordid tale last week (she was the one who originally forwarded the "Letter to the Principal" story).

She couldn't care less about the whole cheating aspect, but she did find the whole Mikey vs. Kenny story to be fascinating and funny.

It's not as dramatic as everyone makes it out to be. It's not some long hatred between us - at least not from my side.

I'm a videographer, he's a DJ, so we worked the same weddings occasionally. Maybe 3 or 4 times a year we'd cross paths. A couple years ago Mike was shorthanded and I did him a favor and filled in at 3 weddings. In 2014 he needed help for 3 more, one even on 24 hours notice.

Last year at a wedding I left the ballroom, as I usually do when there is nothing but drunk dancing left, and I sat in the lobby and texted my girlfriend. His DJ saw me and called Mike and told him I was sleeping. We had words and I told him I wasn't going to sit in a loud ballroom all night and if he didn't like the way I worked he just shouldn't call me to fill in anymore.

That was the end of the story until he made the news with the principal letter and I commented on my Facebook that I thought he handled it wrong and it wasn't fair to the principal. And that's when he tried to intimidate me by posting negative comments on both my Facebook business accounts.

Messing with another person's source of income and means of supporting one's family is crossing the line, in my opinion.

Although I think that Ken's association with anything to do with this debacle is toxic and will likely be used by Rossi in an attempt to discredit anything found or argument made, I feel compelled to respond.

The Committee's statement above is troubling on many levels. What that statement effectively said was that they conducted a "passive" investigation, which is not only disingenuous but very misleading. The mere fact that they had no reports from anyone does not mean that Rossi, or for that matter, anyone else did not cheat or do any wrong doing. Keep in mind that this was a relay race, so the opportunity to exit and re-enter the race at the last relay point presented itself and no one would have though twice about that.

In addition, and more importantly, it was reported by NBC (and in other articles I believe) here

that :

"Organizers of the Lehigh Valley Health Marathon said they plan to review more than 19,000 photos from along the course to look for Rossi. They are also reaching out to 126 runners who finished the race around the same time as the man."

With that said, a number of runners who have been contacted by several of us finished right before and right after Rossi stated in no uncertain terms that they were NOT contacted by race officials in spite of what was reported above. That means that not was the investigation a passive one and a shame, but that like Rossi, the Committee lied.

Oh, one more thing. Given today's society and fascination with "reality" tv and the ability to only stay focused for sound bites, that your wife wasn't interested in cheating, lying, integrity and sportsmanship but instead about to dipshit DJs. How sad is that.

I've only had a mild interest in this thread but I'm curious what you hope to get out of this. Say you find conclusive evidence MR cheated and he gets DQ'd, what then? Will you feel vindicated that justice has prevailed?

He's just a hobby jogger who found a way to achieve his goal of running in a hobby jogging festival, albeit probably by dubious means. It's quite an interesting story but it's not really that big of a deal. Proving he cheated isn't going to change anyone's life and he still got his experience to run Boston which was the whole point of it.