At Women's Marathon, fastest time didn't win... KNOW WHY!
By Jhordie
@Jhordie (5115)
Philippines
October 21, 2008 8:19pm CST
I have just read the article which surprised me the most...
There were over 20,000 competitors in Sunday's Nike Women's Marathon in San Francisco. And 24-year-old Arien O'Connell, a fifth-grade teacher from New York City, ran the fastest time of any of the women.
But she didn't win simply because SHE DID NOT DECLARE HERSELF AS PART OF THE "ELITE" GROUP... while she simply doesn't consider herself to be one.
I am a distance runner as well and I do not see the point especially knowing that she had run the best time whether or not she is part of the so-called ELITE runners whom given 20 minutes earlier head start... (which she manages to beat still) she still won the race in any angle you try to look at it.
What do you think? Pls share some thoughts and let us make Arien O'Connell feel that she is the REAL WINNER! God bless us all
3 people like this
7 responses
@CliffShep (40)
• United States
22 Oct 08
Arien O'Connell, You are a champion in my eyes!!!
1 person likes this
@CliffShep (40)
• United States
22 Oct 08
No problem Jhordie, I wish that she could see it too. I'm sorry I don't come here often but I am usually busy.
May God bless you and keep you as well.
Take Care my friend.
Also, thanks for taking the time to recognize her achievement and letting us know!!
1 person likes this
@kun2349 (23381)
• Singapore
22 Oct 08
That's weird.. As long as she's a woman, and she's in the woman's catergory, she ran the fastest, outran all others whom are supposed to be 'ELITE', with the fastest time, she should naturally be the winner!! Being in the Elite team does not mean they must be the fastest of all rite?? There are ple whom are just competing the 1st time and so they won't know how fast they can run, so how do they determine themselves??
And if the scenario is reversed, one of the "ELITE" runners ran the last in the whole marathon, how what is the organiser gonna do?? Announce the whole race is void?? STupid right?? I think they are practising the favouritism too obvious too.. It's simply unfair..
1 person likes this
@salonga (27775)
• Philippines
22 Oct 08
That's unfair! She ran the fastest so she should be given the honor. Not because she did not declare herself as part of the elite group. Why is the race for the elite group only? Imagine even beating those Elites who were given 20 minutes advantage. If the competition is only for the Elites then it's okay not to declare her as the winner but if it was opened to everyone who wished to join.. then elite or not elite ... the woman who ran the fastest is the WINNER!
@guybrush (4658)
• Australia
22 Oct 08
Hi Jhordie - this woman won the race, plain and simple. Even if the organisers won't acknowledge it and don't give her the prize, she will know in her heart she beat them all. Also, the person who gets the prize will know this lady really beat them - so it will not be a true victory for them. What a shame!
1 person likes this
@kykidd (6812)
• United States
22 Oct 08
Jimminy Crickets, what is this world coming to? How can you have the fastest time and not be considered the winner. That is just unbelievable.
I don't see how some type of rule like that could exist. And who knows, if she didn't have proof with some score sheets from other races, they may not have even allowed her to sign up for this "Elite" group.
That reminds me of a race that I was in when I was about 12 years old. I was the first female finisher in the 13 and under group. When they came to announce the winner, my friend's mom had to go up there and correct them. Sure enough they had my number down at the spot where I finished. And I wasn't tall or heavy for my age or anything. Anyway, it was resolved, and I still have the plaque.
But politics, red tape, or whatever you want to call it, stuff is just unbelievable sometimes.
1 person likes this
