247 replies to this topic

[funrunner63]

Don't often like dwelling on the negative, but was I the only one who saw the negative press on A Current Affair tonight??

A few weeks ago a marathoner crawls across the line in just under 3:30. A marathon official goes to his side to help him out of the way, then seconds later his father joins in, carrying the man to receive treatment. All captured on video- aired on prime time TV.

Two days later, the marathoner receives a notice of disqualification saying assault of race officials won't be tolerated.

Was I missing something?????

I have only ever heard positive things about the Canberra Marathon and enjoyed it the time I ran it 3 years ago. From what I've heard Dave Cundy runs a good show and is a fair man.

Is this a case where we've only heard half the story???

Funrunner aka Craig

[Huff]

funrunner63, on May 14 2009, 07:43 PM, said:

Don't often like dwelling on the negative, but was I the only one who saw the negative press on A Current Affair tonight??

A few weeks ago a marathoner crawls across the line in just under 3:30. A marathon official goes to his side to help him out of the way, then seconds later his father joins in, carrying the man to receive treatment. All captured on video- aired on prime time TV.

Two days later, the marathoner receives a notice of disqualification saying assault of race officials won't be tolerated.

Was I missing something?????

I have only ever heard positive things about the Canberra Marathon and enjoyed it the time I ran it 3 years ago. From what I've heard Dave Cundy runs a good show and is a fair man.

Is this a case where we've only heard half the story???

Funrunner aka Craig

A Current Affair, Today Tonight, Four Corners; Only giving one side of a story....... never!!!

[mgi11a]

I didn't see the story I came home just after it finished, but they forgot to mention the CR who finished in the clip was me.

I did see on the ACA site a statement was recieved from Canberra Marathon.

Marathon Man statement

(a) the Canberra Marathon was conducted in accordance with IAAF Rules. These Rules permit sanctions to be imposed against any athlete, athlete support person or other person who engages in conduct or behaviour which is considered insulting, improper or prejudicial to the interests of the event.

(b) there are precedents in numerous other sports where officials have imposed sanctions against the athlete / player, their support or any other person for the inappropriate behaviour or other conduct of the athlete / player or their supporters (including spectators).

Cheers

mgilla

[TRAVY]

I could not see a problem with what had happened . Maybe it was poor footage or poor eyesight or a melodramatic official. I do not know .

[undercover brother]

sorry craig but i cant believe that you are seriously asking if ACA only presented half the story.
from what i have seen of the program (admittedly very little these days) youre lucky you got that much.
same goes for TT.

[Ben1]

Yes, I watched a current affair. Was wondering how long before it was generated into a thread.

Looking at it though (the story so far!!), I don't think that he should have been disqualified.
Crawling the last 20m after staggering the last 100m and collapsing on line Im sure is not the finish he wanted.
He had finished the race, was obviously distressed and in bad shape. His father who was at the finish line waited for other runners to pass through the chute so he didn't interfere with them finishing and as any parent would do assisted his son - after the line. The official who had gone to his aid was trying to assist him to his feet, then presumably the medical tent when a paramedic and his father simultaniously scooped him up and merely expedited him to the aid tent far quicker than the first official was able. The footage shows the official becoming agitated and "grabbing" at the father who I'm sure had other things on his mind and that the welfare of his son was more important- mind you he was basically unconcious.

BUT: As pointed out on previous posts, this may only be a small portion of the events that took place. But it's ACA and I think Tracey Grimshaw is a spunk so I believe all of it!!

(Maybe there will be a follow up tomorrow night offering the officials side of things with what happened off camera??.........I think not.)
Might have to wait for the book.

Edited by Ben1, 14 May 2009 - 08:22 PM.

[funrunner63]

undercover brother, on May 14 2009, 04:06 AM, said:

sorry craig but i cant believe that you are seriously asking if ACA only presented half the story.
from what i have seen of the program (admittedly very little these days) youre lucky you got that much.
same goes for TT.

Hey UCB,

I know.... stupid question. I can only assume something happenned "off camera" that wasn't presented. I just thought this might be a reasonable forum for that to be presented.

Or else I guess it's not really any of our business and I should just keep my nose out of it...

Craig

[Bellthorpe]

Oi, this is an online forum. Everything is our business! Speculation, gossip, jumping to conclusions. Our stock in trade ...

[Coogee1979M]

Looks like the video is on the ACA web site: http://aca.ninemsn.com.au/

Also ACA is on Sky News Channel 601 at 10.30pm tonight

Edited by Coogee1979M, 14 May 2009 - 08:17 PM.

[Huff]

I refuse to watch ANYTHING on ACA or TT.  Absolute Trash Journalism and never seem to bother getting both sides of a story or even bothering to get their facts right. Just love the sensationalistic story.  Unfortunately 4 corners is going down the same path.
The sooner they are off air the better.

[undercover brother]

hahaha no worries FR just love a chance to ACA-bash.
thanks for the link coogee.
well isn't the RD a coolrunner?
maybe they want to set the record straight here?
onya mick for getting your mug on tele!

[seris]

I saw it........... How would this guys family  feel if he died after the race......... did the organisers do everything they could? No. Some stranger in the crowd pushed one of the organisers out of the way and carried this guy off.  Did he know what to do? Are the organisers just a little bit more experienced in treating people that push themselves just a little bit more than they should? I have seen people die........ Noosa Triathlon, Honolulu marathon , London........ I have run Canberra marathon 6 times....... the organisers are above and beyond some big International marathons when it comes to professionalism. 3:29:xx a good time? It isn’t going to win you any place. Grow up and train for another one that you can finish on two legs.

[paigebaby]

I was there when the kid finished. The female official was not assaulted, yes the father did give her a bit of a shove so he could pick his son up, but the 2 officials were trying to make this kid stand up when he was barely conscious and the female was only using one hand as she had something in her other hand. She also attempted to pull the father away when he had his son in his arms.
The paramedic and the father rushed him straight into the medical tent.

I watched this female official a few times manhandle family members who were trying to run the last bit of the race with their loved ones. She was being a lot rougher on them than the father was with her.  She near crash tackles one lady running with her significant other. So if anyone should be accused of assault, she would be up near the front of the line. JMO

Edited by paigebaby, 14 May 2009 - 08:44 PM.

[rodthehornet]

Brick got his name on there too.  I thought there was going to be a twist to the story and Brick finished with a chunder over the hapless runner sprawled on the finish line.

The reason given for the DQ was an 'assault' by his father.  I sure hope there was a bit of off camera stuff because there wasnt much of an assault on the video.

They must have been hard up for stories with their 'up and coming runner'.  I might let ACA know I was going to run a PB in my TT last week, except the traffic lights turned red and a car cut me off.

[undercover brother]

paigebaby, on May 14 2009, 08:40 PM, said:

I watched this female official a few times manhandle family members who were trying to run the last bit of the race with their loved ones. She was being a lot rougher on them than the father was with her.  She near crash tackles one lady running with her significant other. So if anyone should be accused of assault, she would be up near the front of the line. JMO

hahahahaha just loved the little grab she did on the father.
he should contact the police as an assault has occured
she must've been a tad embarrased.
from whats seen on the video seemed like a good idea to carry him to the tent.
so far in a few hours CR has done a much better investigative job than ACA.
and thanks to seris we have another side too
so what is a finish anyway? 1st little blue mat?
from the video his chip said he finished.
if so a finish is a finish so who cares if he is not listed?

Edited by undercover brother, 14 May 2009 - 08:49 PM.

[seris]

so, where do we draw the line? What happens if every runner has members of their family scrambling to the finish line to help their loved one over? (I thought that was for race officials and runners only?)
Dave and Fran  know how to handle an exhausted runner more than anyone.

[StellaBella]

If what was shown on the video is the alleged "assault" then I'm pretty horrified that this is what lead to this runner's disqualification.
Yep, suing them is OTT & ACA definitely overstated his status as a runner but to me this all seems rather unfair.

[undercover brother]

i think we need a poll.
Q1 so who would want to appear on national tv crawling over the line of a mara in 3.29xx a pb?
Q2 who thinks he wouldve finished on 2 feet if he was listening to 'eye of the tiger' on ipod.

Edited by undercover brother, 14 May 2009 - 09:13 PM.

[seris]

undercover brother, on May 14 2009, 09:58 PM, said:

i think we need a poll.
so who would want to appear on national tv crawling over the line of a mara in 3.29xx?

aaahhh....... me    but I would ABSOLUTELY tell my family to piss off and let me finish within the rules.

[TRAVY]

Quote

so who would want to appear on national tv crawling over the line of a mara in 3.29xx?

At the moment if I looked like breaking 3:29:00 for a marathon, I would crawl the last 20 mtrs naked tv or no tv.
Sorry I have low standards and no self-esteem

[Huff]

I hate you all.  My curiosity got the better of me and i watched the bloody video clip.

I like at the end that they say they approached the organisers for an on air interview but they were unable to before the story was run.  From past knowledge they probably rang up about 3 pm today with the request, knowing there was no way it could occur.

I would hope there is more to the story though as what is shown definately does not constitute anything vaguely resembling assault.

Edited by Huff, 14 May 2009 - 09:12 PM.

[undercover brother]

hmmmmmmmmm on second thought maybe i should change the wording in Q1 to 'your personal best'.
and is this dude a non gear wearing coolrunner?

[Huff]

He probably would have finished upright with eye of the tiger on i-pod however with music blaring would have crashed right into the official and been disqualified for assualt

Edited by Huff, 14 May 2009 - 09:10 PM.

[RodN]

If what is shown is the incident then it's quite clear that woman is a cranky old thing and didn't like her pathetic dragging him by the wrist attempt usurped by the medic and his dad.

Did you see the running kid afterwards (on the ACA website)? Classic!

[undercover brother]

thats the funniest thing i have heard for at least 9 days huff.

[TRAVY]

Quote

and is this dude a non gear wearing coolrunner?

"You can leave you hat on !"

I only have a CR cap

[mikel]

seris, on May 14 2009, 09:02 PM, said:

aaahhh....... me    but I would ABSOLUTELY tell my family to piss off and let me finish within the rules.

from the look of that guy at the end of his race i don't think he was capable of speaking or even recognising who was carrying him away

[walker1st]

father was rough with teh official, but her reaction was not the best either.

How could tehj official know, that this overeacting man is the father ?

and even if she knew, would that matter.

signing the entry form - you giving your body and the soul to the organizers, till you are de-chipped
and able to walk yourself in reasonable state out of the finish area, organizers are responsible for you

father was clearly interfering with their duties.

in my view runner in a distress should have been taken off the road, regardless if it was at 40k, 41k or 42.111, so letting him struggle to finish is where the organizers have failed.

not great display of fitness and healthy sport activity.

If You cant judge your abilities, and are choosing too long distance or choosing too fast pace, and than heroicaly neglecting all teh body signals, you are not different to speeding teenage driver or drunk driver.

he should be refused entry in the future.

[Huff]

I could understand it if he was DQ for "interfering" with an official, but not for asaulting.  There was NO assault.

[undercover brother]

walker1st, on May 14 2009, 09:13 PM, said:

he should be refused entry in the future.

why? what did HE do?
apart from looking like a goober on national tele?

Edited by undercover brother, 14 May 2009 - 09:16 PM.

[PlodBod]

Runners whose partners join them in the last few metres of the marathon and continue on down the finishing chute in their jeans and boots with coats and handbags flapping are the ones that should be disqualified.  These people have absolutely no regard for other runners around them.

And don't even get me started on the people who carry their kids over the line... geez....

I saw that guy stagger and fall right in front of me.  It was about 5 metres from the finish line.  Who is to say he hadn't trained properly?  No-one here knows his history or his training schedule. He gave it everything and left nothing on the course.  

And, I know I'm not supposed to start a sentence with "and" but I'm so pissed off, I would gladly be filmed crawling over the line to get a 3:29 marathon.  But possibly because I hate "Eye of The Tiger".

Edited by PlodBod, 14 May 2009 - 09:22 PM.

[seris]

walker1st, on May 14 2009, 10:13 PM, said:

father was rough with teh official, but her reaction was not the best either.

How could tehj official know, that this overeacting man is the father ?

and even if she knew, would that matter.

signing the entry form - you giving your body and the soul to the organizers, till you are de-chipped
and able to walk yourself in reasonable state out of the finish area, organizers are responsible for you

father was clearly interfering with their duties.

in my view runner in a distress should have been taken off the road, regardless if it was at 40k, 41k or 42.111, so letting him struggle to finish is where the organizers have failed.

not great display of fitness and healthy sport activity.

If You cant judge your abilities, and are choosing too long distance or choosing too fast pace, and than heroicaly neglecting all teh body signals, you are not different to speeding teenage driver or drunk driver.

he should be refused entry in the future.

Oh dear........this is a first.......... looks like Rudy is agreeing with me............

[Huff]

undercover brother, on May 14 2009, 09:10 PM, said:

thats the funniest thing i have heard for at least 9 days huff.

What happened 9 days ago?

[RunningChick]

Huff, on May 14 2009, 09:04 PM, said:

I like at the end that they say they approached the organisers for an on air interview but they were unable to before the story was run.  From past knowledge they probably rang up about 3 pm today with the request, knowing there was no way it could occur.

lol.  Anyone remember the ABC series "Frontline"?

[Bellthorpe]

Indeed. Working Dog Productions' first series.

[Crazy Diamond]

seris, on May 14 2009, 05:50 AM, said:

Dave and Fran  know how to handle an exhausted runner more than anyone.

Yes, and at the moment (barring any further sides of the story/new information) they also know how to over-apply and/or over-rely on IAAF rules and resgulations - at the expense of furthering interest and participation in our sport of running. The guy wasn't really about to break's Geb's 2:03, was he?

Don't get me wrong, Canberra Marathon is on the whole a tremendously well run event, and rules are in place for a reason, but this publicity (even if it is just ACA) isn't good for them. Or running.

Hope he recovered okay.

Run on

[Steve 'The Footman']

hard to know what really happened

Edited by Steve 'The Footman', 14 May 2009 - 09:52 PM.

[KevinCassidy]

PlodBod, on May 14 2009, 12:15 PM, said:

Runners whose partners join them in the last few metres of the marathon and continue on down the finishing chute in their jeans and boots with coats and handbags flapping are the ones that should be disqualified.  These people have absolutely no regard for other runners around them.

And don't even get me started on the people who carry their kids over the line... geez....

Well said, PlodBod.  Here, Here

[RunningChick]

Steve'The Footman', on May 14 2009, 09:47 PM, said:

Have they replaced the video on the nine website with a statement from the Canberra Marathon?  Looks like the lawyers have been busy with an injunction?

Nope, it's on the right hand side and down a bit.  There are 4 videos to choose from.  Took me a minute or two to find it.

[errorfilenotfound]

His family didn't interfere at all from the looks of the video - looks like the runner has a fair case - however have no idea what's happened off camera. Sad that after all the good years of marathon running there is nil coverage, ACA just pick on one dodgy decision by Dave and use that to attract controversy. Shame ACA and (by the look of the video) shame Canberra Marathon.

Quote

Runners whose partners join them in the last few metres of the marathon and continue on down the finishing chute in their jeans and boots with coats and handbags flapping are the ones that should be disqualified. These people have absolutely no regard for other runners around them.

And don't even get me started on the people who carry their kids over the line... geez....

may be true but a distraction in this case. and if it doesn't get in anyone's way, more power to them.

[essaytee]

Whoever suggested that this guy is not a runner, then what is he.   In my book he is a runner.   As someone else mentioned we do not know what his training schedule was.   He's obviously had an off-day but that doesn't suggest his training was inadequate.

I watched ACA tonight and I agree with most that they only push what they want to push.   Why let the truth get in the way of a good story.

From the video the official was completely useless.   Radio in one hand and trying to do something to the runner with the other hand.   It wasn't going to work.   For want of a better word, she was piss-farting around.   If the official had dumped the radio, picked up the runner with both arms, being ably assisted by the medic, then this issue would not have arisen.

The assault, if it occurred, must have occurred off tape.

[errorfilenotfound]

so - who was there and saw any off-camera action relating to this incident ?

[paigebaby]

There was no off camera action.  The father and the paramedic took the kid into the medical tent and the blonde official went back to her position at the finish line to stop partners/kids/wife etc from joining the runners crossing the line.

[superflake]

The father was impulsive and ran in to help his son. Mine would have done the same if I had been like he was.

Both officials couldn't lift the runner off the mat as he was too heavy for them.

First aid and the father rushed in to take over. Yes the father pulled her arm to get to his son. Hardly an assault, if this is the assault?

Did his timing chip beep to say he crossed the line unassisted? Yes? Then if so he finished.

Posting the IAAF rules on the ACA  website as to why you did it RD(if you did organise it) is crap.

[Huff]

For an assault to occur the action must be unlawful i couldn't see the courts regarding a father's actions to help his son in this situation as unlawful.

[essaytee]

This could turn into one of those 'only in America' stories.

[walker1st]

hm, how about this :

You order taxi, cabi drives You, You do not like the way he drives (too slow, too fast, choice of streets), so You jump to front seat, gently push cabi off the wheel and You drive Yourself safely and efficiently to Your destination.

suppose You do not like the way the train driver...

You think that the pilot better, so You enter the cabin...

the dinner does not taste great, so You kick Your way into restaurant kitchen and start cooking Yourself

You think that the doc in surgery better does this or that so You push the doc away and You take over,

You cant listen to parliament bulshit debate so You storm the Canberra and organize the cup or the revolution
(Ok the last one is actually not making sense in this case  

Edited by walker1st, 14 May 2009 - 10:58 PM.

[Colin]

superflake, on May 14 2009, 11:16 PM, said:

First aid and the father rushed in to take over. Yes the father pulled her arm to get to his son. Hardly an assault, if this is the assault?

Did his timing chip beep to say he crossed the line unassisted? Yes? Then if so he finished.

Posting the IAAF rules on the ACA  website as to why you did it RD(if you did organise it) is crap.

No assualt that I can see on camera and apparently none off camera according to eyewitness Paigebaby.

Yes he finished the race.

And agreed, that IAAF cop out for a poor and petty decision is bullshit and those laws bear no relation to the 'evidence' on camera. In fact that statement implies some pretty bad behaviour ocurred, so in fact could be a further cause for action.

One would have thought that the RD had his hands full with other stuff?

cheers

edit...looking at footage, the body language of the marshall shows a bit of p**d off by having her 'position of authority' usurped (imo)...however she (and the other marshall) clearly were not handling the runner apprpriately (or perhaps not strong enough).

Edited by Colin, 14 May 2009 - 11:44 PM.

[mgi11a]

I would appeal to the RD to reinstate the finish time of the runner and if there is an assult issue against the father then persue that seperately.

At about 40km when the 3:30 pacer caught me he had the runner in tow, we ran together for the remainder of the race untill I stopped with a cramp as we turned the last bend.

Thats when he went ahead of me, and it was only on the line I went past him as he was crawling. Something I wasn't aware of untill I watched my finish video.

From the time we started running together this kid was shattered, but gave it asolutely bloody everything to get to the line. No one deserves to give so much of themselves then have it taken away by something out of there control.

I'm a huge supporter of the officials and volunteers who make our races possible, but in this case, I think the one involved needs to give herself an uppercut.

[funrunner63]

mgi11a, on May 14 2009, 02:17 PM, said:

I would appeal to the RD to reinstate the finish time of the runner and if there is an assult issue against the father then persue that seperately.

At about 40km when the 3:30 pacer caught me he had the runner in tow, we ran together for the remainder of the race untill I stopped with a cramp as we turned the last bend.

Thats when he went ahead of me, and it was only on the line I went past him as he was crawling. Something I wasn't aware of untill I watched my finish video.

From the time we started running together this kid was shattered, but gave it asolutely bloody everything to get to the line. No one deserves to give so much of themselves then have it taken away by something out of there control.

I'm a huge supporter of the officials and volunteers who make our races possible, but in this case, I think the one involved needs to give herself an uppercut.

Thanks Mick,

Forgot you were there, but that's obviously you in the video.

Would be great if this whole unsavoury mess was resolved in the way you suggest by close of business today...... unless something else happenned that we haven't been told about.

I know if I broke 3:30 for the first time and it wasn't recognised through no fault of my own, I'd be shattered.

Funrunner aka Craig