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

Just curious, did you have any races at other distances that matched your 2:43? If he had a PB of 1:30 for the HM, sub 20 at 5k, and some posted tempo runs where he was avg 7:20 pace this thread wouldn't exist. Everybody understands that people have bad days and the 4:01 wouldn't matter. He unfortunately has 20 races that show him as a 3:40's marathoner and plenty of races and posted workouts that perfectly support him being that type of athlete.

The main focus is how there are 2 points on the course with continuous photos being shot almost every second with a large view of the background and he never passed by. That's what proves he cheated. He simply wasn't on the course.

NowFindJimmyHoffa wrote:

Y Man wrote:

Just wondering why this thread is still going so strong. Hasn't everything been discovered, analyzed and proven? What more is there to do here?

I think someone said earlier that it's fascinating to watch a train wreck in slow motion. And since came back to check on the thread, I'd suspect you're likely to agree.

Not sure. Maybe.

For me, I'm not following that closely. I really don't know much more than that the guy is guilty and that folks here have done some pretty good investigative/analytical work to establish that fact.

As far a a train wreck - I haven't followed Rossi's actions/words/... at all so I really have no idea what that looks like. Perhaps it is entertainment for some. For me, I just come back here because the thread is at the top of the boards and there always seems to be another 3 or 4 pages of posts. I'm thinking maybe something new. But maybe not.

Y Man wrote:

Just wondering why this thread is still going so strong. Hasn't everything been discovered, analyzed and proven? What more is there to do here?

Because the story is so rich in so many ways.

IMO, if Rosie Rossi hadn't cheated into Boston of all races, then none of this would have happened.

Omg does this cheater ever wear anything else beside a Boston outfit ,by the way i love this doc https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1s0f2sI8FvoD4nFriEngQQXhwBqYbVLq0V5VjI2ARRp4/edit#gid=0

In my opinion, the photos alone prove beyond any reasonable doubt that MR didn't run the marathon, especially the time-stamped series of photos at various points along the course (over the bridge, on the path). The photos are objective evidence. Every runner who finished anywhere close to MR can be seen in the photos except MR.

If the LVM is contacting other marathon runners to find out if they have any additional photos or videos of the race that the LVM can look at, fine, but if they are asking them if they remember seeing MR during the race, that would be bad. Numerous studies show that eyewitness testimony can be affected by psychological factors.

Also, I think MR is wrong about the burden of proof. If there was only questionable evidence showing that he didn't run the race, that would be one thing. But, with the photographic evidence clearly showing that he didn't run the race, the burden shifts to MR to prove he did. If the LVM gives MR the opportunity to submit evidence for them to consider, that also would be fine, but the LVM better limit it to objective evidence not susceptible to being fabricated or manipulated. That means no GPS logs (can be doctored) and no statements from MR's family, friends and running partners (bias or statements under duress or influence of MR).

Mike, you are not invisible. You crave attention. If you had run the LVM in 3:11:45, you would have been in at least a couple of photos on the course. But you aren't in any, because you didn't run it. Do you love anyone besides yourself? Are you even capable of thinking about the feelings of anyone besides yourself? If any of your family, friends and running partners have read this thread, they know in their hearts that you cheated. By not admitting it, you are forcing them to feign belief in you. The longer this drags out, the more damage you will cause to yourself and those who care about you. You would do well to remember, Mike, that your family and friends love and like you because of you as a person, not because of you as a Boston Marathon runner.

Freud wrote:

Has anyone started a count of how many Boston shirts and jackets this dolt owns?

He has more Boston shirts and jackets than he has friends.

I agree there is something very narcissistic about this guy. Boston was never a goal. It was an obsession. He (probably) had a ton of followers on all his various social accounts. When you brag, brag, brag about your workouts and getting a BQ and have this many readers/followers, you FEEL like you cant disappoint them. They expect, they are counting on you. This is what you start to think mentally whether its consciously or sub-consciously.. Once you realize that you aren't going to appease these people (or feel like you have to because well you have so many readers), you become desperate. You dont want to admit failure and have to eat crow. You will do whatever you have to to get that BQ, which means cheat.

My blog about Rossi http://sarahbw80.blogspot.co.uk/2015/05/catching-cheat-did-mike-rossi-cheat-to.html

Moatamed Sina Allah wrote:

Y Man wrote:

Just wondering why this thread is still going so strong. Hasn't everything been discovered, analyzed and proven? What more is there to do here?

To burn this guy's public persona to ashes. He is the worst kind of cheater - narcissistic, antagonistic and committed to his deceit. This prick needs to be flogged until he comes clean. Call it a jihad on liars. We shall not rest.

OK, but everything you wrote has already been said. Probably 20 times by now.

Fake Name wrote:

Just curious, did you have any races at other distances that matched your 2:43? If he had a PB of 1:30 for the HM, sub 20 at 5k, and some posted tempo runs where he was avg 7:20 pace this thread wouldn't exist. Everybody understands that people have bad days and the 4:01 wouldn't matter. He unfortunately has 20 races that show him as a 3:40's marathoner and plenty of races and posted workouts that perfectly support him being that type of athlete.

The main focus is how there are 2 points on the course with continuous photos being shot almost every second with a large view of the background and he never passed by. That's what proves he cheated. He simply wasn't on the course.

Yeah I hear ya. I'm a 1:16 HM 16:20 5k guy so yeah my times match up fairly well- also absolutely not defending Rosy Rossi just pointing out a bad day at Boston doesn't provide any usable evidence against him...

Well, I took a stab at it. Completely unofficial count, because there were so many shirts, jackets and different designs, it was getting confusing and I was getting bored. Some pics were unclear, so I accounted for possible duplicates in my totals.Boston gear:1 hat4-5 jackets5-6 shirtsFantastic stuff.

MeHereYouWhere?! wrote:

Freud wrote:

Has anyone started a count of how many Boston shirts and jackets this dolt owns?

He has more Boston shirts and jackets than he has friends.

Freud wrote:

Well, I took a stab at it. Completely unofficial count, because there were so many shirts, jackets and different designs, it was getting confusing and I was getting bored. Some pics were unclear, so I accounted for possible duplicates in my totals.

Boston gear:

1 hat

4-5 jackets

5-6 shirts

Fantastic stuff.

MeHereYouWhere?! wrote:

He has more Boston shirts and jackets than he has friends.

I guess Mike didn't get the memo that it is bad luck wearing your Boston apparel before you finish the race. I guess he knows now.

Nice write up Sara. While you at it, give his lawyer the middle finger as well. THey can't touch you.

dkggpeters wrote:

Nice write up Sara. While you at it, give his lawyer the middle finger as well. THey can't touch you.

Ha, let them try. In the UK we don't care about being sued :)

SaraB wrote:

dkggpeters wrote:

Nice write up Sara. While you at it, give his lawyer the middle finger as well. THey can't touch you.

Ha, let them try. In the UK we don't care about being sued :)

I don't think he could even if he wanted to.

FrankShorter wrote:

Hawkeye wrote:

I broke down his 5K splits.

Boston 5K splits

1st 5K Split 24:06 7:45 per mile

2nd 5K Split 26:01 8:22 per mile

3rd 5K Split 27:20 8:47 per mile

4th 5K Split 28:53 9:18 per mile

5th 5K Split 27:25 8:49 per mile

6th 5K Split 32:13 10:22 per mile

7th 5K Split 31:45 10:13 per mile

8th 5K Split 31:12 10:03 per mile

Overall pace for marathon 9:14 per mile

For someone who qualified for Boston with a 7:19 per mile pace he started out very conservatively. You would expect he would keep that pace or even negative split the race. An 8:00 per mile pace should be cakewalk for him. He couldn't even hold that pace past the first 5K. Its not like he went out hard and blew up.

This really puts it in perspective.

You forgot he had torn his labia, you can clearly see that the Labia pain gets worse and worse.

Freud wrote:

Well, I took a stab at it. Completely unofficial count, because there were so many shirts, jackets and different designs, it was getting confusing and I was getting bored. Some pics were unclear, so I accounted for possible duplicates in my totals.

Boston gear:

1 hat

4-5 jackets

5-6 shirts

Fantastic stuff.

MeHereYouWhere?! wrote:

He has more Boston shirts and jackets than he has friends.

If he does get a Boston DQ and can no longer face that logo he's going to have nothing to wear :)

czdfhhc wrote:

wartser wrote:

Until we hear from the Via Marathon RD, the case remains open.

This. And as none of the "126 around him" as per NBC link above will vouch for Mr Rossie his DQ is only a matter of time.

Just out of curiosity, do you guys actually remember people around you when you race? I only remember people I know already, or maybe other women my age and speed since I directly scope them out as competition. But some random dude running around me? I definitely wouldn't remember his face. It'd be the last thing I'd be thinking about during a race.

Again I think he's guilty (especially since he lied about his splits in the marathon he ran shortly after his BQ, which shows that he's clearly a compulsive liar) but I'm not sure anyone else would have noticed him even if he wasn't guilty.

Yes, he cheated, the evidence is overwhelming and its not a "conspiracy." You don't magically shave 30+ minutes off your marathon PR like that. That's not how it works. His Philly Marathon and Boston Marathon times are indicative of his true fitness level. I say this as someone who ran 2,000 miles in 2013 at age 31 in order to run a 3:10 marathon.

It's crappy that he took a Boston spot from someone who actually earned it.