If a run is advertised as a 5k and is actually not, is it false advertising?

I don't know how successful you would be. I think it would depend a lot on how far off the course was and how you measured it. If the race advertises as being USATF certified and is actually 4800m, then sure you'd be able to complain.

If it's not certified, costs $15, is hand timed, and is 5083m according to your Garmin, you probably don't have a lot of room to complain.

I wouldn't try it because, unless it's really off, there's some way the race director could measure it out to be 5k.

Life must be very difficult for those of you who never make mistakes.

For real? wrote:

In all seriousness at what point does one call a race director out and ask for a refund?

For example if I went to the grocery store and bought what the butcher claimed to be a pound of hamburger for the price of a pound of hamburger and found out it was only 13 ounces, I would be pissed.

Am I totally off my rocker here?

So you're saying if it turns out it's 3.4 miles the RD should say you owe them money because you got more than advertised?

At the end of most of my races I'd pay to have the finish line moved closer. Maybe you should be running harder?

More seriously, at least in my area, serious runners have a pretty good idea which established courses are accurate (most of them), which are suspect, and which race directors can be counted on to generally get things right. If you don't know about a particular race, ask someone who does.

Obama's campaigns have been full of false advertising, too.

I would sue the RD if the course it not within +-10meters.

So who is here to hold race directors accountable? Honestly I don't really care unless its a race I am training for, but at what point did we as a running community decide that it's ok to have long and short courses?

For real? wrote:

So who is here to hold race directors accountable? Honestly I don't really care unless its a race I am training for, but at what point did we as a running community decide that it's ok to have long and short courses?

Remember that 95% of runners out there don't care if it's a bit short. Unless it's a certified course, I assume it will be mismeasured and avoid those races. No biggie.

Go to anytown USA, and you will find most courses are a little short or a little long.

I can be sure I would run a faster time on certain courses, and this is because they were probably short. However, tradition, has it that they finish at this certain spot and start at this certain place, etc..so?

All I know, is we all raced the same distance that day.

You can always tell which runners have never served as a race director, or probably never even helped at a race.

Peace Out wrote:

For real? wrote:

So who is here to hold race directors accountable? Honestly I don't really care unless its a race I am training for, but at what point did we as a running community decide that it's ok to have long and short courses?

Remember that 95% of runners out there don't care if it's a bit short. Unless it's a certified course, I assume it will be mismeasured and avoid those races. No biggie.

Exactly the problem.

For real? wrote:

So who is here to hold race directors accountable? Honestly I don't really care unless its a race I am training for, but at what point did we as a running community decide that it's ok to have long and short courses?

We decided at the first ever footrace. That good enough for you?

Lighten up Francis.

Go to anytown USA, and you will find most courses are a little short or a little long.

I don't think so.

David Katz wrote:

Go to anytown USA, and you will find most courses are a little short or a little long.

I don't think so.

I know how Dave Katz rolls in NY. Keeping it legit (if you are the real David Katz). As much as people don't like him he knows how to do it right. This world needs more people like him.

Does it really matter? Run a certified course if you need to qualify for something. Otherwise, road races, like cross country, are just about competing. Run track if you want a controlled environment so you can compare times. Or run head to head against the people with whom you want to compare times.

Mr E-man wrote:

Does it really matter? Run a certified course if you need to qualify for something. Otherwise, road races, like cross country, are just about competing. Run track if you want a controlled environment so you can compare times. Or run head to head against the people with whom you want to compare times.

Your missing the point. If it is not a 5k don't advertise it as such. An approximately 3 mile fun run is more correct and less deceiving.

Do your homework.

If a race advertizes a 5K then the race should be a 5k. Unfortunately, there are still a few races out there that don't get it. These events are usually a fund raiser for a local charity and they don't do their homework.

As a runner you should do your homework as well. Unless you want to support that particular charity/event and don't care about the distance you should check the application - see if the course is USATF Certified, see who the timer or group organizing the race. Go online and see the course on the USATF website (a recently measured and certified course may not appear on for several weeks). If stll in doubt, contact the race director.FYI- A Certified course does not gurantee that the race director, volunteers, or lead vehicle will maintain it's inegrity.

In addition, check to see that the race is SANCTIONED by USATF or a Member Organization of USATF (RRCA, NCAA, IAAF, etc). A runner can not set an American Record (Open or Masters) if the race is not Sanctioned. Most events think that they only need a Sanction for insurance purposes - and therefore many events organized by municipal recreation departments never get one (self insured). An organzing group can get a Sanction without the insurance for a much reduced cost.

Do your homework.

Have you considered filing a class action suit?