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gretriever
Hipster Doofus
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Joined: 16 Jul 2003
Posts: 19385
Location: A moving target in a firing range.
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 Posted: 10/25/06 - 08:10 Post subject:
The underlying issue is the incompetency of the race organizers, and specifically the RD. Cheruiyot, for lack of better phrase, wiped out on the decals placed on the street right before the finish line/timing mat. Anyone who's run (literally) on the streets knows that when the surface is wet, any foreign object becomes extremely hazardous and slippery. Leaves. Paint (think lane markers). Decals.
If you saw video footage of this, notice how quickly race staff ran onto the street and took the decals off - this was still while Cheruiyot was being tended to at the finish line. This is a lawsuit waiting to happen - it would surprise me if there was not some legal action taken.
This is the latest of management blunders by the LBCM organizers. This year's race was moved two weeks past its standard date. No explanation was ever given for the rationale of this. As the date is announced at least the year before, it was not adjusted in light of the possibility of another appearance of the White Sox in the post-season baseball. Last year, there was nearly a last-minute change in course because of this. And next year, '07, the race goes back to its usual time. Again no explanation has been given for this.
These moves, the lack of crowd control, and Cheruiyot's mishap are giving the LBCM a bad reputation. A massive shake-up of the management is in order, if not overdue.
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gretriever
Hipster Doofus
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Joined: 16 Jul 2003
Posts: 19385
Location: A moving target in a firing range.
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Posted: 10/26/06 - 14:08 Post subject:
| JohnM90 wrote: | | Very well put... it should have been obvious to them that you don't just put a decal on the road right before the finish line without at least testing it out to make sure it was safe. Someone was not thinking. |
Oh, no. They were thinking. They were thinking lawsuit. Here's the RD's comments... (forbes.com)
| Quote: | Executive race director Carey Pinkowski said the decals are "designed for foot traffic and athletic events," and it's not unusual to find them at marathons.
"We've had tens of thousands of people go across that material," Pinkowski said. "We'll take a look at it. My priority's been with Robert, getting him from the hospital and making sure he's healthy. ... If we have to change it, we'll change it. We go to great lengths, extensive lengths, for the safety of our participants." |
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