I have expressed concerns about media and how it spreads false information (not on this blog, but in conversation). Social media is a great tool, I have spent a greater part of 4 years devoting a lot of my life to utilizing social media in a positive way. Social media can also be a terrible thing as is the case with #spen20. If you are a runner (or not) and haven't heard about this recent debacle I will explain it briefly or you can do a quick google search.
Basically what happened (according to stories) is a women named Netty was running the Spenborough 20 miler. After a 1.4 miles she was pulled off the course for running too slow. The race did not have cut off times and apparently a 12 minute mile is too slow. But, alas, there are two sides to every story as the race organizer has come forward and issued his statement. She (along with others) were told they could start the race early, she ignored this, and started with everyone else. At 1.4 miles he biked up beside her and expressed concerns and advised that she only run 10 miles instead of the full 20. If she wanted to run the full 20 he could not promise she would receive aid. She turned around and made her back, thus never completing the race. You can read his statement here: http://www.spenac.co.uk/news/spen20-statement.
All of this immediately blew up on social media (mainly twitter). Netty posted a rant on Facebook and proved that she is capable by also posting a picture of her accomplishments in the form of medals. People were outraged. The race came under attack, and false stories and rumors circulated quickly. One user Kevin Ogden aka @ooggy7 (whose account has been removed), was being called out by others as the race director, and because of his vicious comments the race was under more harsh scrutiny. The real race director is Frank Reddington. It became clear, early on that Netty had won, and probably will (if this is even a challenge). Many have offered support, and plans have already started to boycott the race next year with walkers and slow runners.
Some things don't quite match up though (imagine that). Netty claims she was running a 12 minute mile pace, while Reddington claims it was much closer to 15 minutes. Reddington claims that most, if not all, finishers complete the 20 mile race in under 4 hours. At a 12 minute pace that would put her at 4 hours for finishing time, at 15 minute mile pace that would put her at 5 hours for finishing time. Many factors come into play though, most runners add time to there pace as the distance increases, so a 12 minute pace to start with may end up at a 15 minute pace closer to finish (obviously this is speculation, not fact). Reddington has openly admitted that they do not have a cut-off time, because he did not see a need as most people finish in under 4 hours anyway. She claims he was rude and forced her to stop running, he claims he did not force her and it sounds as if he was polite about it. There are two sides to the story and only they know what truly happened and many have voiced this online, but those comments are being overlooked by the vast amount of support for Netty.
So what do I think? I think bullet points will suffice:
Basically what happened (according to stories) is a women named Netty was running the Spenborough 20 miler. After a 1.4 miles she was pulled off the course for running too slow. The race did not have cut off times and apparently a 12 minute mile is too slow. But, alas, there are two sides to every story as the race organizer has come forward and issued his statement. She (along with others) were told they could start the race early, she ignored this, and started with everyone else. At 1.4 miles he biked up beside her and expressed concerns and advised that she only run 10 miles instead of the full 20. If she wanted to run the full 20 he could not promise she would receive aid. She turned around and made her back, thus never completing the race. You can read his statement here: http://www.spenac.co.uk/news/spen20-statement.
All of this immediately blew up on social media (mainly twitter). Netty posted a rant on Facebook and proved that she is capable by also posting a picture of her accomplishments in the form of medals. People were outraged. The race came under attack, and false stories and rumors circulated quickly. One user Kevin Ogden aka @ooggy7 (whose account has been removed), was being called out by others as the race director, and because of his vicious comments the race was under more harsh scrutiny. The real race director is Frank Reddington. It became clear, early on that Netty had won, and probably will (if this is even a challenge). Many have offered support, and plans have already started to boycott the race next year with walkers and slow runners.
Some things don't quite match up though (imagine that). Netty claims she was running a 12 minute mile pace, while Reddington claims it was much closer to 15 minutes. Reddington claims that most, if not all, finishers complete the 20 mile race in under 4 hours. At a 12 minute pace that would put her at 4 hours for finishing time, at 15 minute mile pace that would put her at 5 hours for finishing time. Many factors come into play though, most runners add time to there pace as the distance increases, so a 12 minute pace to start with may end up at a 15 minute pace closer to finish (obviously this is speculation, not fact). Reddington has openly admitted that they do not have a cut-off time, because he did not see a need as most people finish in under 4 hours anyway. She claims he was rude and forced her to stop running, he claims he did not force her and it sounds as if he was polite about it. There are two sides to the story and only they know what truly happened and many have voiced this online, but those comments are being overlooked by the vast amount of support for Netty.
So what do I think? I think bullet points will suffice:
- I support all runners whether you run a 5 minute mile or 15 minute mile. I think it's great you are out there doing this. However this race seems to be organized by a running club or athletic club, which isn't the issue. 163 men finished and 60 women finished the race, so it's not a big race by any means. Many of the top finishers and finishers overall are members of the athletic club, which shows that the race is mainly devoted to that purpose. Knowing that the race is filled with many accomplished athletes doesn't mean it is reserved to that, but it maybe should generally deter any athletes not of that caliber. With such a low number of participants and many finishing in pretty close times, I don't know if it's smart to run it knowing you are going to be further back. This leads me to my second bullet.
- Races are tough to organize. Many require just a few paid workers, but a bulk of help is done by volunteers. You have to hire medical staff, and a 20 mile course takes a lot of supplies. When you are expecting to be done in under 4 hours, you communicate that to everyone. It's not to say that slower runners are any less athletes, it's just to say that peoples time is valuable. If they cannot accommodate, they can't accommodate. If they have to pack things up, they have to pack things up.
- I do think this race should have a cut-off time and communicate it to all participants. That is the one flaw that stands out to me. I think this race should have a clear cut-off time and maybe collect runner's anticipated paces or finishing times. To execute after the fact was wrong, even if it was blown out of proportion.
- Everyone should probably just wait to hear both sides of story before ranting and raving on Twiiter. I think that speaks for itself.
- I think Netty handled the situation poorly. She was upset and her judgement was clouded (which could have resulted in spreading false information). This race director has a job to do, and yes he may have hinted that you were not physically able to complete the race in a fast enough time, but nobody needs you to in turn brag and boast about all of your accomplishments. I would assume you knew what you were doing and had put in the adequate training to run 20 miles. Ranting and raving won't do anything, in fact this will blow over pretty quick just like that darn dress did. Not satisfied with a race? Don't run it again. Write a review about it, maybe even bring it up with the race director in a pleasant way, but seek attention.
- I think everyone needs to respect everyone else. I saw a lot of comments being made by faster athletes that were pretty degrading towards slower athletes and vice versa. What if we all just agreed we were all runners and went about our business. I will never run in the Olympics or win the Boston marathon, but I don't hate Meb for that. I respect him. I don't look down upon the people I see struggling on the sidewalks, I applaud them for their efforts. If a race doesn't want you running it because you are too slow, find a different race. Not everyone deserves to be a champion or even get a medal, unfortunately our society has fostered the opposite belief.
- My bottom line opinion is this. Netty should not have been pulled from the race. Everyone has an opinion, but I think people should have waited to hear all parties. We will probably never know what truly occurred when she was "pulled" from the race. Better luck next year.