Is it unethical to sit-n-kick?

So I won my local 5k roadrace last week by sitting on the leader for the whole race and kicking by him in the last 100m. The guy got all pissy about it but I told him I was there to win ($100 first place). I ran 15:31 to his 15:32. Is there anything wrong/unethical/unsportsmanlike about my racing tactics? It's not like anyone forced him to lead the whole way.

No, not unethical at all. It's how you race. If he was too stupid to rabbit you, it's his fault. Though chances are you would have won anyways.

yes, it is completely unethical to beat somebody who you are faster than

There's no rule that says you have to lead the whole way. The winner is the one that crosses the finish line first.

Out.

No, but it is unethical to take $100 for a 15:31 5k.

I had a similar experience last fall. I got into a sit and kick position at about 2.5 miles of a 5k for third place (and the last spot for cash). After the race the guy who finished fourth didn't show any sportsmanship at all. He still doesn't talk to me.

thats what steve ovett did all the time,,,,ahhh but a bit faster than 15:31

It's up to him to hammer the kick out of you. If he can't then that's his fault. Hopefully he learned his lesson and has something in store for you next time you face each other.

You're not living up to your potential if you just sit and kick...

But that other guy wasn't as fast as you, or at least wasn't significantly faster. He wasn't that smart either. He didn't deserve to win.

It can be obnoxious...but it's all just a part of the sport. I think that sitting is the best way to run for place. However, if you are in a race below your level, then there's no reason to go for the win, when you could go for the win and a good time

Haha, I don't think it's unethical. It's called strategy, just cause he's pissed you're faster then him doesn't make him right. And a 15:30 5k isn't too shabby for a road race. Give the dude a little credit. Unless he's like Nike FT or something then that's pretty good.

Honestly, I'm amazed by how many people think that it's unethical or unsportsmanlike to sit and kick. It seems to be a mindset primarily of roadracers, not track runners. Oddly enough, though, a lot of those roadracers have a decent background in track.

I won a race once (I don't get to say that often) where this guy from out of town pulled into the lead and refused to let me take the lead back from him and do some of the work. It was a 10k, and he probably led me by a metre from 2k to 9.8k and broke the brisk headwind for me. With 200m to go, I had some gas left and he didn't, so I pulled ahead to leave him maybe 5-7s back in 2nd.

I tried to do some of the work, but every time I tried to pull ahead, he'd surge, then settle down and let me catch him. Then surge again. Then slow down. Repeat ad nauseum.

I felt bad, kinda.... (for a little while)

Pete wrote:

I felt bad, kinda.... (for a little while)

No you didn't.

oldguy wrote:No you didn't.

Where does Borzakovski fit in all of this? Perhaps he needs an ethics class?:)

Not at all. First is first, second is first loser!

It's about being number 1 and if it takes a sit and kick to do it then so be it.

Nope, I do this all the time!

Is it unethical to front run?

The other runner should share the pace if he or she is that bothered.

I think it depends somewhat on how the race played out. If there was a pack of 4 of you and the other 3 were trading off the lead working together while you sat behind them, that's a little questionable. If it was just the two of you then no holds barred.

Some frontrunners won't let you lead. You start to pass them and they pick it up. Then they complain at the end when you outkick them.