Bandits exist at every race. Boston used to unofficially welcome them. That was before the 2013 bombing.
Banditing is not without consequences.
- Bandits use services that legitimate runners paid for
- Bandits clog the courses especially in sold out races–and there may not be enough volunteers to accommodate all the runners
- Medical and emergency contact information is unavailable for a bandit.
- They pose a security risk. Bandits enter a course without officials knowing who they are.
Miami Marathon
Frankie Ruiz, the race director of The Miami Marathon reports that over 200 bandits were pulled from the course of the marathon on January 22nd. Security was stationed just before the finish line to check for bibs. If a runner was not wearing a bib, they were pulled from the course. If it was determined that they were banditing, they were not allowed to cross the finish line.He posted this video via Facebook Live showing the process.
On the Facebook thread, Frankie says they started this process a few years ago.
With 200 or more bandits, there is a definite cost to the other competitors. Their entry fees go to support these unregistered runners. These runners drink Gatorade, use porta-potties and would take medals and post race food if given the opportunity. If a bandit injures themselves, the medical staff would have to give them attention.
In my opinion, there is no place for bandits. I was surprised by how many Miami caught. With this many unregistered runners, it’s not hard to understand how their presence drives up costs for all the legitimate runners.
I’ve received some comments of other races that have implemented similar procedures. I hope this practice becomes more widespread as a way to keep costs down, and to prevent runners from taking support and receiving medals that they have not paid for,
Edit: Below is the GPS tracking of the bandit catcher Mike Neubauer. He traversed about 13 miles catching the bandits.
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It's amazing this problems is so widespread, I thought that 200 must have been a typo that's such a huge number of people banditing just one race.
In the video you hear him say they had 100. He estimated 200 total in the comments of the video on Facebook. I too was surprised.
Just made a donation. Thanks for all you do!
Pass on to the race-director that the collective, honest "we" that pay to run races– (FULL races and don't cheat), appreciate his efforts: I may run this race one day. Still curious what the outcome will be on the "cheaters" you highlighted the other day.
Haha, the woman who gave her name used someone else's name. There is a Tomika who finished, but this is not her.
Or not… they had a runner with a similar number in her picture.
Why is it being done at the last 200m? Wouldn't it be better to take them out earlier in the race before the bandits used up a lot of the resources?
Probably did not want them getting a medal. I doubt this is as rampant with the runners in the front.
I love how it's at the end of the race. Make them run and when the end is in sight kick them out.
Meh, I've gone the bandit route a few times, as have others I know. Did not take a medal, water, or anything from the course. Made a donation to the charity directly, not as big a deal as everyone says.
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