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Not a very competitive race if someone can get helped 2 miles to the finish and "win".

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While some might perceive the runners who disapprove of giving official finishes to those who do it with aid as cold-hearted, these disapproving runners do have the rules on their side.

The Boston Marathon officially follows the rules set forth by the International Association of Athletic Federations (IAAF), USA Track and Field (USATF), and Abbot World Marathon Majors. The IAAF and USATF rules spell out that runners must finish a race under their own power in order to receive an official time or medal.

According to Boston spokesperson T.K. Skendrian, all runners must sign an agreement that they will abide by the rules set out by these organizations. However, he explains, “I think these governing bodies rely on race organizers to make the judgments on certain incidents,” he says. “We have not disqualified people in the past (for this infraction), but we’d look closely at each incident.”

Some other major marathons are likely to look the other way too. Just one week after Boston, another photo grabbed the public’s attention as Matthew Rees helped David Wyeth across the finish line of the London Marathon. Event director Hugh Brashner had this to say about the incident: “It’s a simple story of one person helping another in their moment of need. Neither runner was trying to win the race. The marathon, above all mass participation events, is grueling and involves determination, commitment, camaraderie and togetherness. Matthew’s gesture demonstrated this wonderfully.”

The ultra-running world, however, isn’t so accommodating. At the 2006 Western States 100, competitor Brian Morrison was within 300 meters of winning the race that year when he began stumbling and falling down. His official pacers—one of which was famed trail ultrarunner Scott Jurek—repeatedly helped him to his feet and got him across the line. “The race finishes in a stadium and the assistance was out in the open and very obvious,” says Western States race director Craig Thornley. “One of our rules is that you must finish under your own power, so we had no choice but to disqualify him.”


Read more at http://running.competitor.com/...#QVxaHA2Wi0ggPf4H.99

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Originally posted by Russ59:
I'll withhold judgement until race officials make a determination.

Is Dr Self noted as the winner in official results? If so, the race director allowed the finish assistance. And yes, you've got to read the entire article to understand that Self received help in the last few steps.

Last Saturday, I paced my 20 year old son on his first marathon in Tucson (my 24th ). From mile 20 to the end, he wanted to walk, crawl, give up, sit down, run, jog etc. Many times I pulled his arm or got under his shoulder to get him moving. But he did finish on his own power. I knew we weren't competing for top finishers etc.

I've had a few finishes that I wasn't proud of (legs felt like concrete, lost my hearing or sense of bearing), but I finished. I don't think any race director gives a crap about participants getting some help, as long as they're not competing for prize money, points, etc. Race directors' prime concern is collecting registration fees.

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Originally posted by Dallas239:
The race committee gave Self the win. She "finished" two and a half minutes ahead of second, even with help. Supposedly receiving help from another competitor is a grey area, and no one protested. There's no real prize for winning this one...

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Originally posted by MNSIG:
That's a totally bogus "win".

On a side note: When did it become popular for the general public to voluntarily attempt duplicating an event in which the original participant DIED? Until sometime in the 80s, I honestly don't remember anyone outside of gym class or military basic training running unless something was chasing them.

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Originally posted by Shaql:
1896

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Originally posted by 12131:

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Originally posted by Dallas239:
The race committee gave Self the win. She "finished" two and a half minutes ahead of second, even with help. Supposedly receiving help from another competitor is a grey area, and no one protested. There's no real prize for winning this one...

I'll play the Grinch here. She could have completely collapsed, unable to move further. But, since she got the lift, we'll never know.

And, are you sure there are no prizes for winners? Dallas is a pretty big marathon. I remember when I did one many years ago (late 80s), when it was still the Dallas White Rock Marathon, there were winner prizes.

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Originally posted by TMats:

Self was indeed declared the winner, after some deliberation by officials. This race was not run under the authority of whatever sanctioning body governs marathons; therefore, they could choose to allow her to receive some assistance.

The second place finisher was apparently OK with giving Self the win.

The 17 YO girl was part of a “marathon relay team.” She was not competing with Self.

There are headlines screaming “Heroic Win.” I’ll buy heroic finish, “win” I’m struggling with.

Funny thing is, if you read the comments to HuffPo’s article, several people referred to the HS girl’s actions as “sportswomanship.” I thought there had been a 20 year + campaign to remove gender identifiers. Silly me

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Originally posted by preten2b:
Help getting up...ok, good. If she would not have crossed or placed in top positions without the help forward, I'd cry foul.

She should have done it on and by-her-own.....(wait for it) Self!

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Originally posted by John Steed:

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Originally posted by preten2b:
Help getting up...ok, good. If she would not have crossed or placed in top positions without the help forward, I'd cry foul.

She should have done it on and by-her-own.....(wait for it) Self!

To claim the win under those conditions does seem rather, well, Self-ish.

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Originally posted by Gustofer:
Who in the hell thinks that this is a good thing to do to your body?

These people are batshit crazy.

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Originally posted by amals:

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Originally posted by Gustofer:
Who in the hell thinks that this is a good thing to do to your body?

These people are batshit crazy.

That's my (non-medical) opinion as well. Makes me queasy to think of all the weird things going on inside your body when you push it to exhaustion and beyond. No, thanks.

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Originally posted by preten2b:
Help getting up...ok, good. If she would not have crossed or placed in top positions without the help forward, I'd cry foul.

She should have done it on and by-her-own.....(wait for it) Self!