Honolulu Marathon radio coverage

I hope you show the same enthusiasm you did in Chicago, Toni. You were as exciting as Wanjiru and Kebede.

thx

72 degrees, 84 percent humidity with no wind. Tough conditions for the 22,000 plus. Small but talented field nervously stretching & pacing as race start just 18 minutes away.

wow.. they are saying that the womens leader will be disqualified... because her boyfriend her passed her water... she is an ethiopian..

wow.

I thought he was pacing, advising, checking splits, etc. In other words, more than just handing her water.

wow... what a pity.. looks like the women is belainesh gebre who has a 1:09 pb and could win this with no help.

Here at medical tent at finish where Belainesh Gebre and boyfriend are being interviewed. Boyfriend was wearing fuel belt, handed fluids to her, ran in front of her , handed her sponges etc. But rule 144 of usatf states that runner must be warned by referee, and there was no technical meeting the day before. Right now Jim Barahal, prez oh HMA is on phone with Jim Estes of usatf.

They've been warned about this repeatedly at other races but will continue with impunity unless some race steps up and enforces the rules. Their clear intent is to break the rules, it's not like it was some accident that happened once in the race, and then he dropped out with a mile to go (which is an improvement from his past conduct).

David Monti Of RaceResults Weekly was on wonen's lead vehicle doing radio coverage. He witnessed the actions (described above) of boyfriend Sisay Tsegay. Right now second placer Zakharova has filed protest to Dick Sutton, race referee. The USATF rule that seems more on point is 241-1d: "A competitor who collects refreshment from other than a refreshment station is liable to DQ by the referee."

"We believe there was (an infraction)," said HMA prez Jim Barahal, "but we need to confirm."

more as it becomes available.

David Monti Of RaceResults Weekly was on wonen's lead vehicle doing radio coverage. He witnessed the actions (described above) of boyfriend Sisay Tsegay. Right now second placer Zakharova has filed protest to Dick Sutton, race referee. The USATF rule that seems more on point is 241-1d: "A competitor who collects refreshment from other than a refreshment station is liable to DQ by the referee."

"We believe there was (an infraction)," said HMA prez Jim Barahal, "but we need to confirm."

more as it becomes available.

I know both athletes and they do not know the exact rules. I can say this unequivocally.

They did not get an elite entry which meant that they could not set up her drinks. He had planned to appeal that with the race director so that he would not have to carry the fuel belt.

If he knew the rules- why would he do such a thing and jeopardize the win.

At any rate she can win the race again next year. and then the previous poster - who obviously got some kind of jealousy issue would come up with another excuse to whine.

Toni,

Obviously you are very knowledgeable about sports.. do you honestly think that someone would knowingly violate the rules.

I don't have a problem with the disqualification... but i have a problem with those on the forum that are saying this was deliberate.

Anyone who knows the athlete would not say that. I have hosted this athlete at my race before and I have spent time with her and she is of high moral character.

If you're going to compete at a high level in a professional sport, it is incumbent upon you to know the rules.

Agree.. but saying it is deliberate is not fair.

Lorenzo the Magnificent wrote:

If you're going to compete at a high level in a professional sport, it is incumbent upon you to know the rules.

If I didn't have direct knowledge of their having been warned about this at prior races, I would definitely be willing to extend the benefit of the doubt - especially given Gebre's truly delightful personality. However, there is a history of this with them - one that almost got her DQ'd earlier this season, so there is no way they can honestly claim ignorance on this when many already know that they've been called on it elsewhere.

I do not know Gebre or her boyfriend. And I love the Ethiopian people, having visited the country three times. I did not personally witness the wonen's race, but right now I am standing with Kaori Yoshida third place finisher and Brendan Reilly, her former agent who speaks fluent Japanese.

Yoshida ran with Gebre thru 14k.

"the whole time he (sisay tsegay) was pushing her (with his hand) from behind," said Yoshida - in essence "getting goingpick up the pace. "

"he also was giving her bottles directly from his fuel belt. There was an awful lot of touching and talking. "

"Kaori doesn't speak English," said Brendan,"but they weren't discussing which movie the saw last. "

as a previous poster mentioned since they weren't invited runners they didn't have elite bottles to put out. At the same time they made no attempt to inform race officials ahead of time of their intentions. The onus would seem to lie with them to protect themselves if nothing else. Pleading ignorance - I never recall that working real well with mom & pop as a kid. It's one of life's earliest lessons. "I didn't know doesn't work. "

I feel sorry for the young woman if this leads to a DQ, but nothing has been settled as yet.

At which race, and by whom were they warned before? Please be specific.

post an e-mail and i'll send you details

Toni,

pleading ignorance is not acceptable I agree. Gebre is following Sisay and leaning on him for advice.

I heard on the radio broadcast that he is her coach. Sisay is not a coach. He is an athlete. He does not have the experience and knowledge to be a coach. The main reason he was pacing her is because he had an injury/illness late last year and is getting back to shape.

At any rate- I don't think that he has read the USATF rules and understands what he can and can't do. Even if he is told.. - i don't think he would have the ability to read and understand all the rules - he barely speaks english..

someone has to sit him down and tell him what he can and cannot do and it is unfortunate that you have an athlete of this quality that is going at it alone.

Dave monti, who i respect - lied to gebre a few years back. When she sought entry into a NYC race he refused her entry and said.. well she is too young and cannot run a marathon. Then he let Isla Paulson (who was younger) into the race. I understand that race directors can pick who they want.. But I know that African athletes are less deserable and they have to forge ahead against these road blocks. You have no idea - how tough you have to be to become a runner in Ethiopia.

Nothing will stop gebre from being the a top runner in the USA. Nothing will stop her from running with Shalane and Kara Goucher