why are Boston officials so crappy to winners?

just saying wrote:

So, after Tune won on Sunday, race officials nearly tackled her coach and then a family member who were hugging her at the finish line. Seems they were getting in the way of the photographers?

They were trying to make sure she didn't stick around in the finish area too long. If Tune and her crew were still there when Lance finished, the photographers and finish line workers might have been too distracted by the winner of the race to get Lance's finish line in place and take some good photos.

I noticed that too. Disgraceful.

just saying wrote:

To those who might know: who ARE these bums?

Doping control.

No, not doping control. Just mallcops eager to give someone a good shove.

Note to the BAA: you don't need asshole security people in the finish area. Qualified race officials -- say, people that actually know something about running, the runners, and their supporters -- would suffice.

mm

for doping control reasons, the athletes are supposed to open their own bottles...duh.

D. Pound wrote:

for doping control reasons, the athletes are supposed to open their own bottles...duh.

and therefore family members can't hug the winner? That was complaint number 1.

self-important sphincters.

i think it was 2004 when it was 85F. i can still smell the reek of new asphalt from that day. ugh!

I ran an extremely hot half once and came across the finish so wobbly I couldn't even tear off the bottom of my bib (pre chip era). The volunteer just kept asking for it and I couldn't even get the strength to tear it off. I was just mumbling and staggering around.

She kept asking, I kept mumbling. She should have just torn it off. She just stared at me, raising her voice when 2 runners sprinting to the finish crashed in to us.

At least it felt good lying there.

Yes, for doping control purposes. Someone outside the race could slip the athlete a masking agent or could even taint the athlete by spiking them. All finish line personnel are given instructions by race officials to ensure integrity in the doping controls. Welcome to the professional sport of distance running and welcome to 2008.

That was only one point in the overall lousy treatment. What about family members being pulled away from a congratulatory hug? BAA just doesn't get it and obviously, neither do you. Common courtesy hasn't changed just because it is 2008.

Those who are saying doping control are full of it. I have been on the finish line at other major marathons where bottles are opened and the runner is helped.

That guy in Boston is an asshole. Sure he was just trying to do his job. What he doesn't realize is that the photos of Tune hugging her coach and who ever else make far better photos than Her posing alone in a John Hancock towel.

Thomas

Thomas wrote:

That guy in Boston is an asshole. Sure he was just trying to do his job. What he doesn't realize is that the photos of Tune hugging her coach and who ever else make far better photos than Her posing alone in a John Hancock towel.

Thomas

I noticed the same thing. It was very threatening. And there sure were a lot of motorcycle cops out there, zig zagging in and out, behind and in front of the runners. That was totally unnecessary, and almost caused the runners to go off course a number of times.

Which "major marathons"?

Anyway, I'm sure the lot of you whining on this message board will make a difference.

talk is cheap wrote:

Anyway, I'm sure the lot of you whining on this message board will make a difference.

This is exactly what a forum is. Voicing opinions and debating with others. If you don't like it because it probably won't get results, leave the site.

i noticed that as well.

i simply assumed they wanted to get a couple pictures of the athlete by her/himself and not have others in it for publicity reasons.

i could be wrong, but thats what i thought at the time.

Chicago.

Because as a Mass resident for the last 15 years I have noticed that about 9 out of 10 people from the Boston Area are complete assholes. All of the MIAA high schools officials, large road race officials...everyone. All you need to do is go to the Mass State meet (HS) and listen to how the officials treat the kids. Granted the kids all have add and don't listen that well but these people treat them like animals.

MikeG wrote:

Because as a Mass resident for the last 15 years I have noticed that about 9 out of 10 people from the Boston Area are complete assholes. All of the MIAA high schools officials, large road race officials...everyone. All you need to do is go to the Mass State meet (HS) and listen to how the officials treat the kids. Granted the kids all have add and don't listen that well but these people treat them like animals.

You're full of it. I'm not a fan of the MIAA, but the meet officials do a great job and most definitely there "for the kids." I'm ranking you in your own 90%.

The MIAA has more convoluted rules than any other state and the pricks to enforce them at their meets. Each official is at least 65 years old and is all to eager to show their power over the athletes. I have watched this for years at all of the indoor meets at the Reggie Lewis center.