[SMCARA] For LPRM volunteers re: headphone violator

[Liza Recto]

Hello Hams,

I'm dealing with an issue regarding a runner who wore headphones on the marathon course and was subsequently disqualified.  Her husband is pleading her case (which in essence is "she didn't know").  We all know ignorance is no excuse, and he himself acknowledged it, but he wants his wife reinstated because she ran a personal best.  I have looked for extenuating circumstances and found none.

Husband states that wife was warned at the water station on SGI that she could be DQd for wearing headphones.  Husband said she discontinued use of her headhones (removed them from her ears).  However, she breezed by the HLSS side gate (mile 8.8) with earbuds in her ears, and did not respond to my shout of "Number 149, you are disqualified!"  I yelled it twice, and people at least 50 feet away heard me clearly. This is a safety issue, and for her not to hear shows that she was already running unsafely.

Husband then stated she was warned at the water station near Mile 10 (end of Lighthouse Rd), and she complied.  I countered with a photo of her at Mile 11.5 wearing headphones in her ears.  Husband said that the mile mark didn't matter, that she was warned and complied.  I told him three times that my decision not to reinstate her is final, but he continues to unwisely argue and beg for compassion.   My compassion in this case is for those who wanted to run with music but took time to learn the rules and chose to follow them.

I've spent more time than necessary responding to his e-mails.  The rules are made clear on the website.  He argues that they are mentioned only twice.  They're actually referenced four times, but as mothers everywhere say, "How many times do I have to tell you...?"  And the right answer is a meek "Just once."  This woman has run 20 marathons and should know better.   Husband cavalierly says, "So she's not a good reader."  Oh well.

I stand by my decision, but if someone can attest that she was warned at either the SGI water station or the Lighthouse Rd station, it may shut him up.  The woman was #149, wearing all black, with long dark hair ("a wonderful Filipina" as husband says, appealing to my Filipina-ness).

I will accept the word of volunteers and runners (one of whom told her on SGI that she could be DQ's, to which #149 responded with a shrug) above secondhand information from Husband.

Thank you!  And thank you again for your excellent work in ensuring a safe marathon!

Liza Recto
Race Director

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