Originally Posted by
PeeJay
After over 30 years of competing and almost as long organising, I can say that that I have never had occasion to believe that anyone was deliberately cheating (except in relays which I will discount) I’ve known many people take the wrong route/line, haven’t we all, but its invariably by mistake. As far as kit carrying goes, no one particularly likes to carry it, and some dislike it more than others (Mrs PJ for one!) Some runners carry a ridiculous amount of gear with them whilst the majority will just take the essentials.
As an organiser, the last thing I wish to do is lay the law down. I expect runners to use a little common sense and carry what they feel is necessary for themselves, subject to the requirements on the day. One thing that does p… me off however is when runners turn up without kit at any time of the year. Running is all about enjoyment in a relaxed atmosphere and I wouldn’t go down the route of enforced kit checks for the majority of events, but hasten to add there are times when it may be necessary.
Finally I do find the word ‘cheat’ in this context a little harsh, and wanted to clarify that Lloyd did comply with race requirements on the occasion quoted. This is after all a public forum and its not unknown for wrong information to be given.