I runfess that we committed the ultimate running sin: we ran a race that we didn’t register or pay for. Definitely not our proudest moment. But allow me to explain:
I have started with my long runs for the Two Oceans Ultra in April. I do them from my doorstep and run along the beautiful coast south of Cape Town.
Last week, I learnt about the “Bay to Bay” race, a 30k run along “my” coastal route. Not only that, it fit our time schedule perfectly, it was exactly the right length and it started only a 10-minute drive from our home. Splendid!
The only problem was, the registration was already closed.
What should we do? What would you have done?
Well, we decided to participate, but without using the aid stations. But we would use the car-free road, the valuable work of the 200 road marshalls and the vibe and excitement of the 1’800 other runners.
On Sunday morning, we stood near the back of the crowd at the starting line and at 5.30am, we set off.
It was a wonderful run: a beautiful sunrise, a fabulous route and lots of happy runners.
It was a 15k out and back. Kai didn’t need to do 30k, so he decided to turn around at the 10k mark to complete 20k in total.
Halfway through the race, I gradually overtook a woman with the age badge 60. I could sense that she had noticed my bib-less appearance.
“So you’re doing a little training run this morning?” she asked.
“Yes, well spotted!”, I said. I explained my situation.
“Oh, don’t worry”, she smiled. “I have a friend who is a race bandit this morning, too”.
We chatted for a bit. She was an experienced runner and I really enjoyed talking to her. It turned out that she is also doing the Two Oceans in April and recommended another race that I should do in February. I forgot to ask her for her name, but I feel we’re going to meet again!
In other news, after waiting for six weeks, I’m so happy that two things have arrived: the book “The Rise of the Ultra Runners” and a glass jug for brewing kombucha. I’m looking forward to both!
We have been doing a bit of sightseeing with my parents. Their two favourite trips so far were to a bird sanctuary (my Dad loved the owls!) and the Cape of Good Hope. They have three more weeks here and there’s still lots to see.
- Have you ever been a race bandit?
- Read a good running book lately?
I’m joining Kooky Runner and Zenaida’s link-up, Tuesday Topics. I’m also joining Runner’s Roundup with Mile By Mile, Coach Debbie Runs, Confessions of a Mother Runner, Runs with Pugs and Laura Norris Running.
Sounds like it was well worth going, even though you hadn’t signed up!
That Kombucha jug looks great. I have thought about starting to make it in the past but haven’t gotten around to it yet.
It was, Kat! It’s so much easier to do a long run in a group than alone. I hope I can make it up to the race organizers one day for not paying my fee.
I’m so glad I finally have the right jug. The kombucha is coming along nicely – only a few days to go until it will be ready.
Race bandit ……….na sowas !! Noch nie gehört, noch nie getan !! Bei Läufen dieser Stärke wird es wohl kaum auffallen, dass Teilnehmer unterwegs sind, die keine Startnummer haben, ein komisches Gefühl dennoch – oder ? Aber ihr habt es ja nicht ” ausgenutzt “, habt niemandem Schaden zugefügt.
Bei Meisterschaften und/oder großen Marathons wäre das wahrscheinlich nicht möglich, dann würden sie diese Teilnehmer herausnehmen, aber wenn ihr – wie in diesem Fall – einfach nur mitlauft, schadet ihr ja keinem – komisch ist es trotzdem !
Herrlich die Gegend, der blaue Himmel, das Meer, die Berge, wenn ich dagegen aus dem Fenster blicke: grau, grau, grau, Regen, kühl, aber immerhin Meer, wenn auch ganz anders ! So kann man auch dem Winter in Europa entfliehen.
Laufbücher lese ich immer, sobald mir ein neues ” über den Weg läuft “, die Regale sind gut gefüllt !
Lasst es euch weiter gut gehen und viel Spaß bei der Vorbereitung deines Ultras !!
Liebe Grüße von Meer zu Meer, liebe Catrina
Sei froh, dass du es nie getan hast, liebe Margitta!
Es stimmt schon, dass es kaum auffällt, aber man hat doch ein sehr schlechtes Gefühl. Ich stelle mir immer vor, wenn das jeder machen würde, dann würden wir kaum mehr Läufe haben, da die Veranstalter ihre Kosten kaum decken könnten. Jedesmal, als ich an den lächelnden und ermunternden Helfer vorbeilief, überkam mich von Neuem das schlechte Gewissen… ich hätte viel lieber offiziell teilgenommen.
Stimmt, bei richtigen Meisterschaften wäre das kaum möglich. Und bei den grossen Marathons (wie z.B. Berlin) hoffe ich, dass sie solche Banditen rausnehmen. 🙂
Dein Meer ist wunderbar, auch wenn es mal wild und stürmisch ist – du hast immer ein bisschen Urlaub an deinem Strand. Die Tage werden schon wieder etwas länger und bald kommt der Frühling!
Danke, lasse es dir auch gutgehen, liebe Margitta. Ich hoffe, du konntest heute wieder einen schönen Lauf machen.
Liebe Grüsse vom Atlantik!
I read the headline and immediately pictured you and Kai in “bandit eye patches” like in cartoons… 😀 Just kidding, I´m sure most of us would have utilized the ready infrastructure for the race, if we would already have been planning almost the exact run.
Please let us know how it goes with the kombucha, I´m super-curious! Do you already have the scoby/starter?
Haha, Riitta, maybe we should have worn the eye patches – or one of those ski masks that they use for bank robberies! 😉
I felt so guilty during the whole race – especially when the volunteers smiled and encouraged me along the way. I wish I had paid for it!
Yes! I have the scoby and it’s busy doing its work. I added green tea and sugar and now I have to wait for a few days. I’m looking forward to my first glass! 🙂
Liebe Catrina,
hihi, “race-bandit”, noch nie gehört, wohl aber gelegentlich solches beobachtet. Ok, wenn da jemand einfach nur so mitläuft, ohne sich an den Verpflegungsstellen zu bedienen oder anderes in Anspruch zu nehmen, ist es ok. Und das habt ihr ja auch nicht. Ich gestehe, bei Anschauen deiner Bilder kann ich auch nachvollziehen, warum ihr in dieser Hinsicht “kriminell” geworden seid, wow, welch eine Strecke! Ich habs noch nie gemacht, käme mir sicher jeden km komisch vor.
Super schnell warst du unterwegs, Glückwunsch! Du bist prima in Form!
Oh, so eine schöne Eule in der Auffangstation, ich liebe Eulen. Und ihr habt ja selber auch so einen Mitbewohner 🙂
So sieht also das Kap der guten Hoffnung aus. Ich hatte mir das irgendwie sturmumtoster vorgestellt. Aber ihr hattet ja auch prima Wetter, vermutlich gibt es da auch anderes.
Zum Buch muss ich nichts sagen, ;-), allerdings hatte ich mich gefragt, in welcher Sprache du es lesen würdest, nun weiß ich’s.
Erfolgreiches Kumbucha-Brauen, liebe Grüße aus dem regnerischen Rheinland, see you 🙂
Elke
Liebe Elke
Ich hatte 30km lang ein schlechtes Gewissen, insbesondere, als die vielen Helfer entlang der Strecke uns zujubelten und klatschten. Als die 60-jährige Läuferin mich darauf ansprach, war ich richtig froh, jemandem mein Leid beichten zu können. 🙂
Die Strecke war wunderschön – vor allem so früh morgens war die Stimmung fantastisch.
Danke! Meine Beine spüren die Anstrengung jetzt noch. Eben haben wir einen schönen langsamen 10km Lauf an der Promenade gemacht. Und dazwischen viel gedehnt!
Genau! Unsere Eulen Cyril und Frau kommen immer noch jeden Abend. Sie sind treue Seelen. Kai ist überzeugt, dass Cyril und er jetzt eine besondere Beziehung haben. Ein Eulen-Flüsterer, sozusagen. 🙂
Ich war drei Mal an diesem Kap und es war noch nie so ruhig wie dieses Mal. Meist sind die Winde so heftig, dass es den Leuten das Mobiltelefon aus den Händen reisst. Ich war froh, es war besser für meine Eltern. Das Treppensteigen war für sie auch sonst schon anstrengend genug.
Du bist bestimmt schon fertig mit dem Buch, nicht wahr?!
Liebe Grüsse aus dem (etwas zu) warmen Cape Town und bis demnächst!
I have never bandited a race, though I would do as you & not utilize the aid stations (if I ever were to assume the role, LOL). I save all my race bibs, so I could potentially bring a slew of them with me, in hopes of having one with a matching color… but I still would be paranoid of getting caught. I’m too much of a goody-goody gal, ha!
Hah. The best part if banditting is not getting a shirt or medal, YOU don’t want or need. However, you can ease your guilt by donating to the group that organized the race. I am certain they would welcome you contribution. 🤔
No never banditted a race, however have run portions of a course when I accidentally shared my route w them.
Too funny about the suggestion of bringing an old bib. Now that would have been calculating. At least w no bib, it could be seen as an accidental coincidence. 🤣🤣🤣
Lots of great running books. A fun book & non technical & more about a running journalist & his family who went to Kenya to study Kenyan runners.
A must read.
Running with the Kenyans by Adharanand Finn by Ballintine Books
ISBN 978-0-345-52880-3 Paperback
978-0-345-53353-4 e-book
Enjoy this wonderful book
Haha, now that’s a practical way of viewing it, Yves! So true!
Yes, I thought of donating as well. I have the name of the running club that organized it and I’m sure I will find someone I can speak to about donations. It’s the best option.
Ah, yes, accidentally sharing a route with racers is fine. As long as you’re not on a mountainbike and bumping into runners (like I experienced in Switzerland once). 😉
BYOB has a totally new meaning! I have seen reports where people printed out the same fake bib they saw on social media and then ran with it. At least when you bring your own bib from another race, it’s not fake! 😉
I will order that book, Yves, thanks for the recommendation! Did you see that it’s from the same author as my new book? It must be good!
Yes same author! Good writer! & It is set in Africa.
Strange about mountain bikers allowed on the course?
The book is in my shopping cart at the South African version of Amazon (“takealot”), waiting for the next bulk order. 🙂
The race was on a public path in St. Moritz and we had to deal with Sunday morning walkers, kids, dogs and most annoyingly, aggressive mountain bikers who even complained loudly about “all the runners”. Can you imagine?
I can’t imagine you banditing a race, Kim!
I had a guilty conscience throughout the race and I was so glad I could open up to the other female runner.
One day I will need to do this race as a proper participant – or even better, I should volunteer to make up for the banditing!
I have bandited a couple of times, but never on purpose. Glad that the other racers were cool with it.
I would love the owls, too! A friend of mine is a birder and she takes the most glorious photos of birds.
Sounds like your racing schedule is filling up quickly & also sounds like you’ve got your running mojo back.
Haha, Judy, how did you manage to bandit a race by accident? Were you running on your route which happened to be a race route?
Oh, that’s a beautiful hobby! I imagine that taking photos of birds takes a lot of patience.
Yes! I have a 15k race this weekend and then a “practice marathon” in February (the race that the 60-year old runner recommended). I love racing. 😉
Yup on a couple occasions started a run before a race (unknown to me & another time in a group of friends) that I/we didn’t know about started.
Haha, that must have been so funny! Suddenly you are surrounded by all those runners!
I have not banditted a race before–it seems like for your situation, it wasn’t a big deal. I know there are runners here who feel very strongly about it. Idk, as long as you didn’t take a medal or use any of the support, to me it’s NBD. Sounds like a lot of fun.
When I was out on ‘my’ trails over the weekend, there were signs warning to avoid the snowy owl nests! So exciting to think that they are nesting in my woods. I didn’t see any of the nests, tho.
I’m glad to hear you haven’t, Wendy!
I can understand how it would annoy other paying runners. Basically, I was having a free lunch on their behalf. But I’m glad they didn’t pull me out and banish me from any future races. That would have been the ultimate punishment.
So cool about the owls on your trails! We have two owls in the trees near our apartment. Mr and Mrs Cyril still come every evening to our balcony. I always wonder whether their nest is in the trees. I’ve looked for it but never seen it.
I have not. But in your situation it was ok. I would have done the same.
I’d love to see an owl. They are cool.
Keep up that racing. So exciting.
I’m glad you say that Darlene, as you are the Racing Queen. Coming from you, these are the magical words of absolution!
After that visit to the bird sanctuary, I really felt like I wanted to raise owls. I only need to find a suitable forest…
You too, Darlene! Keep it up!
I’ve never been a race bandit. As long as you did not use the resources, I don’t think it’s a big deal. Kai took beautiful pictures! What fun adventures with your parents.
Thanks, Marcia! I still felt bad for it. Maybe next year I should volunteer at that race to make up for this free lunch. 🙂
I will tell Kai. I especially loved the photo with the sunrise and the runners waving.
May I confess that I love the term race bandit? Before women were “allowed” to run the Boston marathon banditing was the only way for the them to run, so I love that part of the history. Have you ever read Peter Sagal’s The Incomplete Book of Running? He has a lot of good bandit stories and it’s a fun book in general.
Oh yes, Birchie, I never thought of that historical relevance! So true!
Haha, yes, I’ve read Peter Sagal’s running book. That was one of the funniest running books ever. I really like his humour and his style. Thanks for the reminder, I need to dig it out again!
I’ve never been a race bandit which is silly considering back when we were newlyweds, we lived by city hall and most races in our small town took off from there. I think as long as you were respectful to the other runners and didn’t use the race hydration then it’s all good!
Not silly at all, Virjinia! You’re much better off not race banditing – it’s not worth the guilt and the paranoia of being found out.
Yves, a commenter from Canada, just suggested that I could donate to the race organization, which is exactly what I will do.
I’d feel a lot better about this race. 🙂
Dear Catrina,
I haven’t race bandited, but run a little bit next to a friend in a marathon were that is not officially allowed. I think I wouldn’t have run the race, just because the organisers had to pay for the closure of the road, marshalls etc. as well and I wouldn’t have felt ok to benefit from it.
A fascinating running book I read recently read was In Search of Al Howie. It’s unbelievable what that guy ran (like from the West Coast of Canada to New York to then start and win a gazillion miles race I forgot the number but days and days.)
Dear Roni
I agree! I think running a few miles next to a friend isn’t as bad as running a whole race – using the road and the road marshalls. This race had so many volunteers – it made me feel extra bad for not paying.
I have never heard of that book. Thanks for the recommendation, Roni. I will add it to my list. It sounds like an intriguing story!
No I have not ever done that. It is kind of a big deal around here. In your situation, if you did not use the aid stations or take a medal etc sounds like no harm was done. We won’t tell anyone!
Haha, thanks, Deborah!
I can understand that the paying runners get upset – I would too! Even if we didn’t use the aid stations, we were still taking advantage of the infrastructure. I felt so guilty!
Yes, when I lived in NYC I had some situations like that where my long run “coincided” with a race. I may have even sneaked a little water at an aid station (hey, I was younger then- you really shouldn’t do that.) I think what you did was perfectly fine, especially since you tried to sign up for the race and couldn’t. And those pictures are beautiful!!! Sounds like an amazing run. And that book sounds great- I’ll be interested to hear all about it.
Haha, Jenny, what a coincidence that your run happened to be on a race route! 🙂
I found the running club that organized the race and I will contact them for donations. At least that way, I can get rid of my guilty conscience.
I can’t wait to start the book! Wendy has a review about it and it sounds great!
Liebe Catrina,
so viel kriminelle Energie hätte ich euch gar nicht zugetraut! 😛
Nee, Quatsch, will dir und euch nicht noch im Nachhinein ein schlechtes Gewissen machen! So blöde, wie es für die Veranstalter wäre, wenn das zu viele machen würden, so wenig schlimm finde ich das im Einzelnen. Theoretisch hättest du auch um die jeweiligen Helferleins einen Bogen machen können, also hinter ihnen vorbeilaufen können! 😉
Meiner Erinnerung nach habe ich das noch nicht gemacht, bin vielleicht mal als Supporter einige Meter mitgelaufen, oder per Zufall auf eine Strecke gekommen. Meist hatte ich dann aber nur queren wollen, manchmal auch die Gegenrichtung genommen.
Jetzt streue ich aber erstmal wieder meinen Dank ein, da wieder so schöne Bilder dabei sind! … und dann noch der Löwenkopf 😆 im Hintergrund! – Muss unterwegs eine tolle Stimmung gewesen sein, weshalb du bestimmt auch so schnell unterwegs warst! 😉
Ein gutes Laufbuch … lately? – Hm, das weiß ich gar nicht, vergrabe mich momentan eher in die Trailmagazine! 🙂
Viel Spaß noch für die nächsten 3 Wochen mit deinen Eltern!
Aus dem nächtlichen Darmstadt
liebe Grüße Manfred
Lieber Manfred
Haha, das wäre noch eine gute Idee gewesen, um jeden Helferlein einen Bogen zu machen!
Ausgerechnet bei diesem Lauf hatte es besonders viele Helfer gehabt – fast so, um mir noch ein schlechteres Gewissen zu machen. Alle 100m stand wieder einer. Hochgerechnet auf die 15km waren es bestimmt 200, ohne die Verpflegungsstationen. Es hatte nur ganz wenige Zuschauer, aber diese “road marshalls” haben mit ihrem begeisterten Jubelrufen alles wettgemacht.
Cool, dass du das nicht gemacht hast – so zufällig auf der Strecke zu sein oder jemand kurz zu unterstützen ist ja voll in Ordnung.
Eine super Stimmung war das! Der Sonnenaufgang, das Meer, die Berge – einfach herrlich.
Ich bin gespannt auf das Buch! Trailmagazine sind ja auch eine schöne Lektüre. 😉
Danke! Heute ist Ruhetag – dann können meine Eltern mal den Swimming Pool besuchen. Die Bewegung würde ihnen gut tun.
Liebe Grüsse aus dem etwas nebligen Cape Town!
There were some times when I was living in the city that I found myself running a race course unintentionally. If you didn’t pretend to register or take water and a a medal I don’t think its too big of a deal. Looks like a beautiful course!
That must be such a funny feeling to find yourself in the middle of a race unintentionally. That has never happened to me yet but I would love the surprise!
It was a beautiful course, Lisa – the sea on one side, the mountains on the other.
Liebe Bonny,
soso, da wurdet ihr also auch noch kriminell… tststs… 😉
Im Ernst – ich glaube, ich hätte ein sehr schlechtes Gewissen, wenn ich ohne Startnummer mitlaufen würde, wobei es mir auch noch nie passiert ist, dass ich keinen Startplatz mehr ergattern konnte, wenn ich wo dabei sein wollte. Was ich allerdings schon gelegentlich mache, ist – eher bei Triathlons – jemanden ein kurzes Stück auf der Laufstrecke zu begleiten, was ja auch verboten ist. 🙄
Wobei diese Strecke schon wunderbar aussieht… vielleicht wäre ich doch schwach geworden?
Haha, liebe Doris, und Clyde hat auch noch mitgemacht!
Ich hatte so ein schlechtes Gewissen! In den USA gibt es sogar Leute, die drucken Fake-Startnummern aus und laufen damit. So hast du plötzlich vier, fünf Läufer mit der gleichen Nummer an einem Lauf. Krass, oder?
Ein bisschen Unterstützung ist ja nicht schlimm – ich glaube (hoffe), dass sogar der strengste Streckenaufseher darüber hinweg sehen wird…
Zumindest wäre die Startzeit ideal für deine NRftW Challenge gewesen! 🙂
For sure a beautiful and scenic race. You made the right thing, I would have done the same.
In the past I participating in some competitive races with the non competitive bib because the registrations were closed and one time, with a friend of mine, at the start I placed myself among the top runners.
Great photos as always!
I love running along the coast between the sea and the mountains, Stefano!
Ah, so your races (or some of your races) have two types of bibs. That’s interesting! I think that was a good decision to place yourself among the top runners – it follows the spirit of friendly competitiveness. I’m sure you and your friend finished on top of the list!
I have never been a race bandit but I almost did an organized bike ride without registering so I could take advantage of the traffic control. I too wouldn’t have taken from the aid stations or a medal.
It sounds like it was pretty low key and they were on your route so it’s all good. 🙂
It’s so convenient to have a free road for running or cycling! Did you manage to register for that organized bike ride, Denise?
I’m so glad I wasn’t ousted from the race. Next time I will definitely make sure that I register in time!
I ended up passing in the bike ride because it was the day before a half marathon I was running and I didn’t think I could do both.
Makes sense! 🙂
So viel kriminelle Energie! 🙂 Aber nein, ich hab mich noch nie in ein Rennen geschmuggelt, bin da ehrlich gesagt bisher noch nicht mal drauf gekommen. Ein wenig kann ich es bei den Voraussetzungen bei dir aber verstehen, das war wohl einfach zu verlockend.
Viel Spaß mit dem Buch, wie gesagt, ich habs verschlungen.
Liebe Grüße aus dem kalten Rheinland, Oliver
Erstaunlich, auf was für dumme Ideen man kommt, wenn die Versuchung groß genug ist! 😀
Der Lauf hat Spass gemacht, aber das schlechte Gewissen war immer dabei. 😬
Ich freue mich so auf das Buch! Elke ist auch ganz begeistert davon. 😀
Liebe Grüße aus dem dunklen Cape Town!
That photo of your dad with the all is everything! While I generally disapprove of bandits, as long as you don’t use the runners’ aid stations and don’t cross the finish line, it’s really now an ultimate sin. And it’s a great way to get in that training run surrounded by people having fun. While I’ve never banditted, I have run along a race course at a different time that the actual race because my husband was announcing it and I needed to get in a run.
I like that photo too, Debbie!
I felt so guilty during the race – after all, I was making use of the closed roads and the supportive road marshals without paying for it. I am planning to donate to the race organizers, a local running club, to make up for it.
It was a lovely route and I enjoyed the excitement of the participants.
Your option sounds so much better! Running a race route at a different time is genius.
I think the ultimate running no-no is running under someone else’s name- you will get banned for life at most marathons, particularly Boston, if you get caught! Your situation seems pretty harmless.
Scenery is incredible!
Oh my goodness, yes, that would be outright fraud! Like sending your very clever friend to do your test. 🙂
A very good point, Jessie. Using the logistics of a race without paying for it isn’t quite as bad…(but not all that harmless either).
It was a beautiful route!
Haha, liebe Catrina, ich habe schon einen flüchtigen Gedanken daran verschwendet, sollte ich wider erwarten zum Berlin Marathon fit sein, mich auch heimlich auf die Strecke zu mogeln 😀 Allerdings habe ich so etwas noch nie gemacht. Bzw. doch schon einmal. Beim Ahrathon bin ich einmal Staffel gelaufen (als letzter Läufer), bzw. wollte. Allerdings kam meine Vorläuferin nicht zum Wechselpunkt, da sie sich verlaufen hatte. Nun mußte ich ja aber vom Wechselpunkt zurück zum Start-Ziel-Ort. Da habe ich meine Startnummer abgemacht und bin einfach meine Strecke so gelaufen.
Ha, mein “Der Aufstieg der Ultraläufer” ist gestern angekommen, ich will heute noch anfangen zu lesen. Deswegen habe ich jetzt auch keine Zeit mehr. Tschüüüüüüsssssss und liebe Grüße
Volker
Das wäre doch was, lieber Volker! Dann formieren wir ein kleines Grüppchen um dich, damit du einen Sichtschutz hast und niemand merkt, dass du Nummernlos unterwegs bist! 😉
Beim Ahrathon scheint es eher die Schuld deiner Vorläuferin zu sein, dass du ohne Nummer auf der Strecke unterwegs warst. Wie kann man sich be einem Wettkampf verirren? Haha, was für eine Geschichte!
Ah, du hast das Buch auch? Toll! Jetzt können wir eine kleinen Lesezirkel aufmachen. Geniesse es und nichts verraten! Ich habe das Buch noch vor mir. Ich freue mich darauf!
Liebe Grüsse aus Cape Town mit Sonnenaufgang!
I love the idea of donating to the organization.
I don’t know how it works there, but here the road are considered public. If you so happen to be out and about on a day and a race just happens to be underway at the same time and place… well, so be it. I agree with not using the aid stations or taking any swag.
I agree, Jenn, a donation is a way to make up for profiting from the race logistics. And I will feel better about it.
Yes, it’s the same here with the roads. In this case, a long stretch of the road was closed for cars and only open to the runners (and cyclists, who understandably took advantage of the race, too). It was well organised, so I’m glad I could support them with a donation.
Oh, I would have felt weird, too… but on the other hand, you didn’t really harm anyone by joining the run… I mean, it’s public streets after all and if you didn’t even use the aid stations, there’s really no harm. But I love the idea of donating – that’s always a good plan!
I always think “if everyone would do this”… then soon all race organizations would go bankrupt. 🙂
I’m glad I could donate. It cleared my conscience – they did a great job with the logistics and infrastructure!
You got caught! At least the woman was nice about it. Years ago I did the same at a Hot Chocolate Race. However, I did take some of the chocolate along the course (I think it was M&M). While it was good I won’t do it again. Overall I don’t think it is that big of a deal since I didn’t use/take anything else. Looks so pretty where you are now! Glad you hear your parents are having a great time. I would too if I were visiting you too.
Thank you for linking up with us!
Ha, yes, Zenaida! My heart jumped a little when she started speaking – I wasn’t sure which way the conversation would go. I’m glad she was so nice about it.
Chocolate! Of course you have to eat chocolate along the course! I’m sure there’s a rule that race banditing allows for chocolate. 🙂
My parents are enjoying the scenery and the warm weather. I’m so glad they get to do this – they’re in their 80s and I’m never sure when it will be the last time.
You should come and visit! You would love this place!
Enjoy every moment with your parents!
I’m sure race directors have reasons why banditing is not harmless – for example, liability if something happened to you (or maybe that’s a U.S concern). I can see why it was tempting for you though.
I don’t usually read books about running. I prefer fiction generally. But, I’ll read a good book on a friend’s recommendation. 😉
I agree, Coco! I didn’t even think about liability issues, but I’m sure they come into play here in South Africa, too. I’m glad I’m signed up for the next races!
I get that – fiction is a great way to relax. I still haven’t started the book. With my parents around and more family coming tomorrow, I haven’t found the time yet. But I’m looking forward to it!
Quite an intriguing article, Catrina. I haven’t heard of race bandits, but I’m sure it has happened here in Canada. Though I have heard of runners taking shortcut detours to lower their distance and give themselves a better finishing time.
I don’t read a lot of books other than blog or magazine articles. My kids never know what to get me for Christmas, so they get me a book, usually a true story adventure. I make sure I read those ones. The book I’m reading is from my son called “438 days”. It’s about a fisherman from Mexico who got caught in a big storm, the motor died in his small boat and he is still drifting as I am reading and by the time he was found was adrift for 438 days. He lost everything but the clothes on his back in the storm. Not a running book, but an amazing book on survival. 😀
Oh, runners taking shortcuts are the worst!
A Swiss ultrarunner who participated in an ultra race (several days) in China told me about two runners who cheated by taking a car (!) for a part of the segment. Although the other runners protested, they were not disqualified as the race organisation had no proof of the cheating. Crazy story! It makes you wonder what drives them to do things like that.
That book sounds so fascinating, Carl! Imagine, surviving for over a year on the sea! How do you make drinking water? How do you catch fish? My goodness, it’s mind-boggling. I bet you learned a few good tips in the book. If you’re ever lost at sea you know what to do! 🙂
He collected rainwater that collected in his little boat, Catrina. When you think of all that ocean garbage, he ended up hauling in a barrel, a 5 gallon pail and 72 x 500ml water bottles. Which he used for fresh water. Sometimes they were all full, other times rationing. His main sustenance was actually raw birds. The long distance fliers they would land on the boat to rest. For the longest time he couldn’t catch them, then he started imitating a cat, crouching down for sometimes 20 minutes until they let down their guard. Then he’d grab them. He’d break a wing so they couldn’t fly away, and kill and eat it when he was hungry. One time he had 20 birds one by one which he ate when there was no birds. If he could grab them with his bare hands, he did eat fish from time to time He did have a partner, but he got very depressed & died out there. For much of the time the boat was floating in a place called “The Doldrums” where there is no wind. The boat was drifting 1 mile per hour. Eventually got out of there, in total drifted 6,400 miles over 438 days & landed on a remote island in the Marshall Islands. If he went by the Marshall Island, it would have been another 2,400 miles to Papua New Guinea. To survive that was incredible, Catrina. He had a very good indication how long he was out there…15 lunar cycles.
Wow, thank you so much for this explanation, Carl!
That’s incredible. I mentioned this story the other to my dad, that this man survived 438 days out at sea, and my dad suggested rainwater. Interesting to see that it was indeed rainwater.
So sad that he found so much plastic in the ocean – but in a way lucky for him as they served as vessels for him. And he managed to catch birds! Imagine how long he must have practised catching them on his boat.
I can’t even imagine how terrible that must have been to have a partner who got depressed and died. After that, he didn’t even have anyone to talk to.
That story is amazing. It shows how much the will to live can help us when we’re in a seemingly hopeless situation. Imagine how relieved he must have been when he finally saw those Marshall Islands.
It would make a great film! Thanks again, Carl, for sharing this incredible story!
It really would make a great film, Catrina. Very traumatic the 1st few days on the Marshall Islands. There was a language barrier, the islanders were suspicious and didn’t know what to do with him. Tried to escape, but he could barely walk. Finally got an interpreter brought in. His story sounded hard to believe. When they looked deeper, in much awe he accomplished one of the greatest feats of survival of all time. 🤗
Oh, I never even thought about how suspicious the islanders would be and of the communication challenges. The poor guy! That must have been traumatic.
At least he now has one of the most impressive survival stories to tell. Thanks for letting me know about this incredible account, Carl, it’s spectacular!
I once accidentally crossed onto a race course that was on an open, public trail – they didn’t close the trail and I didn’t realize a 5K would be happening along my normal long run route until I encountered runners. Thankfully there were other people out on the trail who made the same mistake!
Ooops, Laura, that must have been a big surprise for you on the trail! Imagine, you’re happily trotting along and then suddenly you are surrounded by frantic runners! That must have been so funny, haha!