Dear Dr. Meza:
Poster 'deadesq' mentioned that he (or she) tends to be "a person who wants to make the world a better place". You might not think very highly of 'deadesq' because that poster also produces these very informative photo sheets, which I think clearly corroborate Derek Murphy's results and conclusions. But since I think I am cast in the same mold as 'deadesq', please allow me to add a few thoughts for perspective.
It think that many people struggle to reconcile the information they have on Frank Meza as a mentor versus the information they have on Frank Meza pulling stunts on the marathon courses. I have learned that trying to project a person's character into a single dimension ranging from 'good' to 'bad' is often futile, and I have no intentions to speculate what on earth got into you ten years or so ago. However, what I think sets you apart from the typical case presented on marathoninvestigation.com is that you seem to have some genuinely positive character traits. I read many articles related to this story, and am really impressed by the many positive things people had to say about your work, your mentorship, and your involvement in the community (as compared to for example that guy who only ran 16 miles of the Wenatchee Marathon and then had the audacity to lecture people about the importance of negative splits in the 6:30/mile range). You had a Deputy District Attorney go to bat for you, unconditional, no questions asked (and Derek Murphy confirmed his identity). I do question the DDA's judgment on this a bit, and it seems he is doing the same by now, but anyhow, I think he is an example of the type of people in your life you want to keep as close as you can. I have some people I believe would go to bat for me unconditionally, but I can count those on the fingers of one hand. We all screw up sometime, one way or another, but I cannot imagine I would ever lie to these guys, especially over some running nonsense. Having true friends is just too important in life.
Considering the logistics of your recent approaches to marathon running: they are very impressive indeed, but obviously not how this sport is supposed to be carried out, and as you have invariably noticed some people have taken exception to it. But it is also not the end of the world. It appears your mentorship efforts have been absolutely crucial in the lives of many young people, especially in under-served and minority communities (the Deputy District Attorney being an example). In my opinion, all things considered, every single such instance is way more important than all of your marathon course shenanigans combined. These lapses of good judgment are not 'victimless crimes' as another poster noted, but I think many things are fixable. If I were you, I would write to all RDs where I pulled a fast one, and ask to be removed from the results. I would also write an apology to the folks you bumped from the age awards, I am sure the RDs would work with you to get the note to them, and have things fixed. I don't have any hard numbers on this, but it is my impression that decent and level-headed people are enriched among serious runners as compared to the general population, so I am sure most would appreciate your outreach. I am sure you know what the right thing to do is, and whom to talk to. I hope you find the strength to act on it, it surely will suck in the short term before it gets better. Undoubtedly this story will be remembered by the members of the distance running community for a long time, but it is not what you want to leave behind as your overall legacy. I am certain that denying the undeniable will not help your cause.
There is one more point I would like to make, so a bit about me if I may. I have never been more than a hobby runner, and while doing plenty of sports I didn't start running until I was in my 20s, first marathon at age 28. Back in the day I was a sub 3h marathoner, but not anywhere close to winning anything besides the occasional age group award. Then work demands got the better part of me, and for many years I didn't do more than the occasional jog. I recently got back into running, did some marathons, and am happy as a clam aside form kicking myself for wasting 15+ prime running years. I am sure I'll continue running until this body gives out, and if I am still running marathons in my 70s without being swept up by the broom wagon, it'll be like a lottery win. From what I read, you truly love running as well. There are some rather snarky comments on this board, but to me it looks like you have aged remarkably well, and you probably still have many happy running years ahead of you. Right now you obviously couldn't race anywhere, and you probably couldn't even train without some runners ripping you a new one. But it doesn't have to be like this. Don't let an ego get in the way and ruin your running life. Carpe diem.