Unauthorized Assistance
Written by: Dan Empfield
Date: Mon May 30 2011
The CapTex Triathlon in Austin, Texas, just concluded, is an awesome race. But just like plenty of other awesome races—the Hawaiian Ironman included—sometimes bad things happen at good races.
In this opinion piece we here at Slowtwitch—actually, I, speaking only for myself, lest I drag my fellow editors to places they don't wish to go—will again appeal for relative order where there is relative chaos.
Andy Carlson was having a breakout race at the Wildflower Tri back in the 1990s. He was well out in front and as he was an extremely talented runner he was cruising to an apparent win. He was cruising so fast, in fact, he got to the run turnaround before the guy with the orange cone got to the turnaround. Andy is still out there running toward that turnaround cone.
Sometimes, bad things happen. When they do, to whom does the fault belong?
In this opinion piece we here at Slowtwitch—actually, I, speaking only for myself, lest I drag my fellow editors to places they don't wish to go—will again appeal for relative order where there is relative chaos.
Andy Carlson was having a breakout race at the Wildflower Tri back in the 1990s. He was well out in front and as he was an extremely talented runner he was cruising to an apparent win. He was cruising so fast, in fact, he got to the run turnaround before the guy with the orange cone got to the turnaround. Andy is still out there running toward that turnaround cone.
Sometimes, bad things happen. When they do, to whom does the fault belong?
Knowledge of Course
Upon commencing the swim at the CapTex Tri today, according to Hunter Kemper, the pros swam, "two-hundred meters to a yellow buoy, made a right, we swam forty meters, another right hand turn, heading back up the river; as soon as we make that right hand turn, a huge speedboat comes in front of us, blocks us and sends us back. Potts was the only one who said, screw it."
Potts rounded the buoy, and kept swimming, because, irrespective of what the person in the speed boat said, Potts apparently felt he accurately knew the course. The other swimmers, heeding the directive of someone who seemed to be in charge and knowledgeable, deferred to the judgment of him who they assumed to be acting in an official capacity.
Fellow triathletes tend to be unequivocal about this sort of thing when it happens and, even if they don't know the rule designation they know its substance. You first see this mentioned in "3.4 Race Conduct" of USA Triathlon's rules, in paragraph (a): Entire Course... It is the participant’s responsibility to know the course."
Just to make double-dang sure, USAT includes, under Article V, Cycling Conduct, 5.3: "Knowledge of Course: The sole responsibility of knowing and following the prescribed cycling course rests with each participant."
Likewise, under Article VI, Running Conduct, we read: "6.2 Knowledge of the Course. The responsibility of knowing and following the prescribed course rests with each participant."
Notably, this "Knowledge of Course" rule is omitted from Article IV, Swimming Conduct. Why is this? Maybe because USAT presumes that it's dangerous when swimmers refuse to obey the directive of officials. I can think of cases where, for example, officials directed athletes to shore because of what else—beside triathletes—was seen swimming in the waters.
Does expected behavior during the swim leg, then, differ from terrestrial legs, because, while in the water, We follow orders, son. We follow orders or people die. It's that simple. Are we clear?
Are there rules about following the directives of officials? Not really—not that I can find. There is this:
"9.6 Race Marshals. Race Marshals will be assigned to the swim, cycle, and run portions of the event and to the transition areas and will follow all instructions of the Head Referee. Race Marshals shall have jurisdiction over all persons in their respective areas of assignment."
Who are these "persons" over which race marshals enjoy jurisdiction? Head referees have jurisdiction over race marshals. What's lower than a race marshal? An athlete, I'd think. A volunteer.
Was the person in the speedboat a race marshal? Was he the swim course coordinator. A lifeguard? The head lifeguard? As a swimmer, when do you obey these people and when do you ignore them?
Upon commencing the swim at the CapTex Tri today, according to Hunter Kemper, the pros swam, "two-hundred meters to a yellow buoy, made a right, we swam forty meters, another right hand turn, heading back up the river; as soon as we make that right hand turn, a huge speedboat comes in front of us, blocks us and sends us back. Potts was the only one who said, screw it."
Potts rounded the buoy, and kept swimming, because, irrespective of what the person in the speed boat said, Potts apparently felt he accurately knew the course. The other swimmers, heeding the directive of someone who seemed to be in charge and knowledgeable, deferred to the judgment of him who they assumed to be acting in an official capacity.
Fellow triathletes tend to be unequivocal about this sort of thing when it happens and, even if they don't know the rule designation they know its substance. You first see this mentioned in "3.4 Race Conduct" of USA Triathlon's rules, in paragraph (a): Entire Course... It is the participant’s responsibility to know the course."
Just to make double-dang sure, USAT includes, under Article V, Cycling Conduct, 5.3: "Knowledge of Course: The sole responsibility of knowing and following the prescribed cycling course rests with each participant."
Likewise, under Article VI, Running Conduct, we read: "6.2 Knowledge of the Course. The responsibility of knowing and following the prescribed course rests with each participant."
Notably, this "Knowledge of Course" rule is omitted from Article IV, Swimming Conduct. Why is this? Maybe because USAT presumes that it's dangerous when swimmers refuse to obey the directive of officials. I can think of cases where, for example, officials directed athletes to shore because of what else—beside triathletes—was seen swimming in the waters.
Does expected behavior during the swim leg, then, differ from terrestrial legs, because, while in the water, We follow orders, son. We follow orders or people die. It's that simple. Are we clear?
Are there rules about following the directives of officials? Not really—not that I can find. There is this:
"9.6 Race Marshals. Race Marshals will be assigned to the swim, cycle, and run portions of the event and to the transition areas and will follow all instructions of the Head Referee. Race Marshals shall have jurisdiction over all persons in their respective areas of assignment."
Who are these "persons" over which race marshals enjoy jurisdiction? Head referees have jurisdiction over race marshals. What's lower than a race marshal? An athlete, I'd think. A volunteer.
Was the person in the speedboat a race marshal? Was he the swim course coordinator. A lifeguard? The head lifeguard? As a swimmer, when do you obey these people and when do you ignore them?
Unauthorized Assistance
It was observed by several of our spotters that professional male triathlete Dustin McLarty—after having apparently abandoned his personal race ambitions—ran alongside, occasionally directly in front of, his sister Sara McLarty. This, for what our spotters variously concluded was the majority of the run on a fairly windy day.
I noted this activity during our live coverage, and broached the subject of unauthorized assistance. Jarrod Shoemaker almost immediately tweeted: "the rules regarding pacing are clear no athlete shall receive pacing from any other individual. rule 3.4.d."
Jarrod's absolutely right. The rule reads, under Article III General Rules of Conduct and Penalties:
"3.4(d) d. Unauthorized Assistance. No participant shall accept from any person (other than a race official) physical assistance in any form, including food, drink, equipment, support, pacing..."
Still, I think there's a strong case that if you honor and enforce this rule strictly, most of the pro field at CapTex or any other race could be disqualified for pacing, especially during the swim or the bike, if athletes engage in "trading pace", even when such trading occurs in obedience to position rules.
As I have written before, I think unauthorized assistance happens when an athlete clearly, in the mind of an official, abandons reasonable ambitions pursuant to an optimized personal performance, and subordinates that performance to the service of another athlete.
Further, this must only be in the context of no-draft amateur racing, as there are clearly cases in professional draft-legal racing when team tactics are used, and these often include subordinating one's ambition for an overall finish to the betterment of the team.
This question has come up in the context of Ironman races many times in the past. Yet it seems that neither WTC nor USAT has any interest in enforcing this rule, or even explaining it. This, because I've never gotten a clear explanation for why it occurs race after race, and I've never seen anyone get a penalty for pacing when two people—each entered in the race—constitute the pacer and the pacee. Therefore, I can't blame Dustin McLarty from keeping his sister company until and unless either or both these rule making and enforcing organizations clearly describe to their constituencies what's legal and what's not, and what they intend to enforce and what they don't.
I do find it ironic that USAT's featured article, on its website, right now, is Permitted Run Conduct. The article begins:
This week we begin our series on article 6 — Running Conduct. Today’s rule is 6.1 Permitted Conduct.
The rule requires that participants walk or run the entire prescribed run course. Runners should pace themselves over the course and remember that it’s always ok to walk. The rule disallows crawling since that would indicate medical distress.
However, "Runners should pace themselves" does not actually appear in Rule 6. The author of this article decided to slide in a bit of 3.4(d), just to make sure readers understand that it's their responsibility to run their races without pacers. Note that 3.4(d) does not refer to "outside assistance", rather "unauthorized assistance" and this does not differentiate between those entered in the race versus unentered pacers.
It was observed by several of our spotters that professional male triathlete Dustin McLarty—after having apparently abandoned his personal race ambitions—ran alongside, occasionally directly in front of, his sister Sara McLarty. This, for what our spotters variously concluded was the majority of the run on a fairly windy day.
I noted this activity during our live coverage, and broached the subject of unauthorized assistance. Jarrod Shoemaker almost immediately tweeted: "the rules regarding pacing are clear no athlete shall receive pacing from any other individual. rule 3.4.d."
Jarrod's absolutely right. The rule reads, under Article III General Rules of Conduct and Penalties:
"3.4(d) d. Unauthorized Assistance. No participant shall accept from any person (other than a race official) physical assistance in any form, including food, drink, equipment, support, pacing..."
Still, I think there's a strong case that if you honor and enforce this rule strictly, most of the pro field at CapTex or any other race could be disqualified for pacing, especially during the swim or the bike, if athletes engage in "trading pace", even when such trading occurs in obedience to position rules.
As I have written before, I think unauthorized assistance happens when an athlete clearly, in the mind of an official, abandons reasonable ambitions pursuant to an optimized personal performance, and subordinates that performance to the service of another athlete.
Further, this must only be in the context of no-draft amateur racing, as there are clearly cases in professional draft-legal racing when team tactics are used, and these often include subordinating one's ambition for an overall finish to the betterment of the team.
This question has come up in the context of Ironman races many times in the past. Yet it seems that neither WTC nor USAT has any interest in enforcing this rule, or even explaining it. This, because I've never gotten a clear explanation for why it occurs race after race, and I've never seen anyone get a penalty for pacing when two people—each entered in the race—constitute the pacer and the pacee. Therefore, I can't blame Dustin McLarty from keeping his sister company until and unless either or both these rule making and enforcing organizations clearly describe to their constituencies what's legal and what's not, and what they intend to enforce and what they don't.
I do find it ironic that USAT's featured article, on its website, right now, is Permitted Run Conduct. The article begins:
This week we begin our series on article 6 — Running Conduct. Today’s rule is 6.1 Permitted Conduct.
The rule requires that participants walk or run the entire prescribed run course. Runners should pace themselves over the course and remember that it’s always ok to walk. The rule disallows crawling since that would indicate medical distress.
However, "Runners should pace themselves" does not actually appear in Rule 6. The author of this article decided to slide in a bit of 3.4(d), just to make sure readers understand that it's their responsibility to run their races without pacers. Note that 3.4(d) does not refer to "outside assistance", rather "unauthorized assistance" and this does not differentiate between those entered in the race versus unentered pacers.
Who Cares?
Honestly, most readers don't care about any of this. Whenever I write about bad things to that happen to good people at great races, our readers reactions are, "ho hum", because it's not likely to impact their racing.
Until it does impact their racing. Then we get a thread on our reader forum detailing the miscarriage of justice that befell a person last weekend at his race.
In this particular case, Hunter Kemper and his mates should have done, what, exactly, when the speedboat raced up and blocked their progress? Maybe we'll poll this, and see what you all think. The response of the race organizers to what happened should be... what? Does USAT have a role in helping decide what that response is? I don't know.
So, to the question, "Who Cares?" This week it's Hunter Kemper, Cameron Dye, and maybe (and maybe not) certain entrants in the women's CapTex field. Next week, you might be the one who cares, and, if so, we'll probably be hosting your righteous gripe on our reader forum.
Honestly, most readers don't care about any of this. Whenever I write about bad things to that happen to good people at great races, our readers reactions are, "ho hum", because it's not likely to impact their racing.
Until it does impact their racing. Then we get a thread on our reader forum detailing the miscarriage of justice that befell a person last weekend at his race.
In this particular case, Hunter Kemper and his mates should have done, what, exactly, when the speedboat raced up and blocked their progress? Maybe we'll poll this, and see what you all think. The response of the race organizers to what happened should be... what? Does USAT have a role in helping decide what that response is? I don't know.
So, to the question, "Who Cares?" This week it's Hunter Kemper, Cameron Dye, and maybe (and maybe not) certain entrants in the women's CapTex field. Next week, you might be the one who cares, and, if so, we'll probably be hosting your righteous gripe on our reader forum.
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Comments
UA, or pacing, at in the eyes of USAT...
Former Rule Violator Turned "Red Shirt"
Reviewed by: Michael Bowen, Jun 3 2011 9:15AM
The USAT Rules Education page on Unauthorized Assistance mentions:
“Pacing,” defined as making forward progress while being accompanied by someone who is not currently competing in the race, is never allowed. “Unauthorized” assistance, as opposed to what the race organization provides, is illegal and time penalties are assessed to anyone receiving aid from an outside source.
It is simple to tell if a non-participant is running or riding with an athlete. It's harder to defend citing a stronger athlete (having a bad day, deciding to "mail it in," etc.) who helps run another athlete in. USAT ("red shirt") officials are instructed to observe athlete behavior, not assume athlete intentions.
“Pacing,” defined as making forward progress while being accompanied by someone who is not currently competing in the race, is never allowed. “Unauthorized” assistance, as opposed to what the race organization provides, is illegal and time penalties are assessed to anyone receiving aid from an outside source.
It is simple to tell if a non-participant is running or riding with an athlete. It's harder to defend citing a stronger athlete (having a bad day, deciding to "mail it in," etc.) who helps run another athlete in. USAT ("red shirt") officials are instructed to observe athlete behavior, not assume athlete intentions.
The result stands
Reviewed by: Mark Cathcart, Jun 1 2011 6:21AM
I was the lead bike marshal at CapTex. Good news, the run course was 10k(exactly), we rode one loop (5k) before the run started keeping to the right of the road to get an accurate distance; then I reset it, powered it off, powered it on the road to get satellites again and waited for the lead runner.
I was surprised as anyone when Cam Dye came out, but I'd also been over at bike out after helping clear Transition of all the age group athletes before the pro's came in from the swim, I met the Volunteer that sent Andy in the wrong direction as he ran out with his bike, she was close to tears... and like everyone, had been caught off guard by his early arrival.
Once we were out on the run, Andy quickly passed Cam just after the turnaround on Lee Barton Drive, he settled in to great pace and it was kinda scary cycling 20ft in front of him hearing his regular deep breath. Remember, it was a 2-lap run, Andy had plenty of opportunity to see where the others were, and out on the second lap just as we turned from 5th to Congress he looked back, no one in sight, then as we passed 4th Hunter was going the other way up towards 5th, so Andy knew he had a big gap... I've not looked at my Garmin data, but by the time he'd made it across Congress bridge, his breathing had got easier...
While Hunter can argue he had to work harder to catch Andy after the swim screw-up, Andy lost time before he got out on the bike course, and definitely still had it in him to have worked harder at the end of the run.
I'm not part of the CapTex organization, I like many others were turn up and help local triathletes. I got an email on the Friday asking me if we could help with the run. We made our own signs for the bikes and made a personal offer to the bike sponsors Specialized to ride their bikes and for 2-hours after the bike leadout, stood with another turn-up local triathlete at the chaotic bike dismount line. CapTex also got run and swim distances wrong in 2010.
I was surprised as anyone when Cam Dye came out, but I'd also been over at bike out after helping clear Transition of all the age group athletes before the pro's came in from the swim, I met the Volunteer that sent Andy in the wrong direction as he ran out with his bike, she was close to tears... and like everyone, had been caught off guard by his early arrival.
Once we were out on the run, Andy quickly passed Cam just after the turnaround on Lee Barton Drive, he settled in to great pace and it was kinda scary cycling 20ft in front of him hearing his regular deep breath. Remember, it was a 2-lap run, Andy had plenty of opportunity to see where the others were, and out on the second lap just as we turned from 5th to Congress he looked back, no one in sight, then as we passed 4th Hunter was going the other way up towards 5th, so Andy knew he had a big gap... I've not looked at my Garmin data, but by the time he'd made it across Congress bridge, his breathing had got easier...
While Hunter can argue he had to work harder to catch Andy after the swim screw-up, Andy lost time before he got out on the bike course, and definitely still had it in him to have worked harder at the end of the run.
I'm not part of the CapTex organization, I like many others were turn up and help local triathletes. I got an email on the Friday asking me if we could help with the run. We made our own signs for the bikes and made a personal offer to the bike sponsors Specialized to ride their bikes and for 2-hours after the bike leadout, stood with another turn-up local triathlete at the chaotic bike dismount line. CapTex also got run and swim distances wrong in 2010.
Lifeguard @ Cap Tex
Reviewed by: Neal, May 31 2011 8:19PM
I was at the race lifeguarding in a kayak and watched the whole thing go down. The lead paddle boarder asked another guard/volunteer where to turn (he did not know the course..) the guard said "by the pedestrian bridge" the paddle boarder said "before or after?" the guard paused, and said "just after." the paddle boarder passed the last bouy expecting one later down the lake. When the athletes turned, he yelled "Hey! This way!". A police jet ski heard him and drove over to block the athletes. A few threw out a few "What the f$&#*!?!!?!"'s and turned to follow the paddle boarder.
He paddled farther, only to find no bouy down the lake.. so the athletes cursed a little more than followed behind Andy.
Andy Potts EASILY got 2-3 minutes ahead of everyone.
I seriously doubt he would have won given a fair swim.
My opinion stands that the other athletes should have time deducted from their finish times.
He paddled farther, only to find no bouy down the lake.. so the athletes cursed a little more than followed behind Andy.
Andy Potts EASILY got 2-3 minutes ahead of everyone.
I seriously doubt he would have won given a fair swim.
My opinion stands that the other athletes should have time deducted from their finish times.
Unauthorized Assistance
A bit literal
Reviewed by: Brett, May 31 2011 9:04AM
I love this article in that it brings out a great discussion. While charging through the official's barricade will bring both positive and negative responses about Potts, I can't believe a race organizer could screw up detailing a swim course. Come on, its not like you can't physically see the entire course on 99% of tri swims. Can't say I blame Potts, especially with prize money on the line.
As for one participant "pacing" another. I'd say it is up for interpretation as to what "unauthorized" means. Why can't you run along side or around anyone you want as a participant. From the description of the rule, it appears to intend to keep non-participants from aiding a racer. While I think this is a breach of etiquette (especially among pro's) its not a rule violation.
As for one participant "pacing" another. I'd say it is up for interpretation as to what "unauthorized" means. Why can't you run along side or around anyone you want as a participant. From the description of the rule, it appears to intend to keep non-participants from aiding a racer. While I think this is a breach of etiquette (especially among pro's) its not a rule violation.
Unauthorized Assistance
Reviewed by: Mike Buonaugurio, May 31 2011 8:12AM
Very good article - I think every triathlete is investing time and exceptional effort leading up to and on race day. What most athletes most likely hope for is a level playing field. Mistakes happen at every level and it s a tough call on how to resolve - might attribute the swim misdirection to some simple growing pains of this race and a mistake by a volunteer, but things happen even at the World Series, SuperBowl, and NBA, where officiating and rules are well resourced. I think the greater question and the one which I addressed numerous times in a military career is the difference between a mistake and a crime - though both can equally result in a negative outcome. Defining unauthorized and outside assistance is interesting - what about the local resident who puts up a spray hose on the run course of a hot 1/2 IM? or a TdeF cyclist getting a push from locals when it appears he is not going to make a cut-off. Run pacing? you can be assured ity goes on in many venues up to and including Kona by various participants for emotional support and though I think it is wrong not everyone would want to enforce it. Ultimately the race and corresponding accolades only occur in that moment of time - getting a Gold medal days or years after an event does not represent the nature of reward or resolve the emotional cost. There is a shared role I think where the media reports and the race organziation must acknowledge the violation whether the act is attributed to the athlete, race official, or responsible party, by name.
