NC Marathon winner Chuck Engle crosses the finish line. He was second over the line, but first registered marathon
runner. PHOTO BY CAPSTONE PHOTOGRAPHY
Nearly two hours after Old Dominion University graduate Ryan Carroll was announced as the winner of the 2010 United Healthcare North Carolina Marathon, race officials disqualified the 27-year-old from Hampton Roads, Va.
Engle, who finished with a time of 2 hours, 46 minutes, 5 seconds, was named the eventual winner of the marathon, which benefited Foster Friends of North Carolina and took place in High Point for the second consecutive year.
Melissa Fourrier, Foster Friends of North Carolina executive director and race director, said Carroll was disqualified because he had registered for the half marathon and not the marathon. She said race officials followed USA Track & Field competition rules in making the decision
“He came here to run the half marathon,” Fourrier said. “Minutes after realizing he was on the marathon course, he was given the option of turning around. He chose to continue on the marathon course. He really disqualified himself there. ... We made the best decision to maintain the integrity of the event.”
Carroll, who has never won a marathon, was competing in his seventh marathon. He said the decision to disqualify him was “unfortunate.”
Carroll’s misfortune allowed Engle to capture his 88th marathon title in 204 attempts. Engle, 39, said he stuck with David Duggan, a High Point University graduate who won the marathon last year, for much of the race. Duggan finished fourth behind Greensboro’s Samantha Kilsdonk, who had the fastest women’s time.
“I was fortunate to have (Duggan) run most of the race with me,” Engle said. “The fact that he finished (fourth) today ... allowed me to know the course.”
Winning the N.C. Marathon qualified Engle to enter the Boston Marathon, but he said he had already qualified for that race and plans to compete in it for the fifth time.
dignasiak@hpe.com | 888-3657
Right decision.
Every sport has rules and when someone makes an innocent mistake it is unfortunate that they are disqualified because of the rules, but that's life. I've ran races where I made wrong turns, I went back on course and knew that I lost "X" amount of time due to the error. Guess what I finished, never complained, and it didn't matter that I ran a few extra miles because I'm happy that I can run. I'll never win a race, even if I'm the only runner, cause I'll probably lose to my shadow. Everyone have a great day.
ING Georgia Marathon - Mar 21 - Atlanta, GA
Tesfaye Sendeku, 26 of Ethiopia, was the first to cross the finish line, but disqualified for going off course after following the lead motorcyle that went straight when it should have continued to the right, skipping an out and back loop. Sendeku was a 20 second leader when this occured near the 22nd mile mark. Jynocel Basweti, 23 of Sante Fe NM, who won the 2010 Snickers Energy Bar and Mississippi Marathons, was declared the winner with his time of 2:20:49
First off.
Chuck is an amazing runner as I am sure Ryan is as well.
Second and most important - TWENTY YARDS after the half/full split off there was a sign that said "YOU ARE ON THE MARATHON COURSE" when Ryan saw this, he immediately should have known something was up.
Chuck has made wrong turns before and has lost marathons because of it. Sounds like Ryan is happy with his amazing marathon time.
This is a race with just a couple hundred people. You just have to know the course if you are a front runner. If you can't pay attention to the markings because, run a bigger race. Chuck is able to win 30 marathons a year and follow the markings.
This article needs some editing!
http://hamptonroads.com/2010/03/wrong-path-sends-runner-marathon-twists-and-turns
Ryan is a pretty humble guy. When told he didn't really win the marathon, he probably said something like "Oh, that's cool. I just took it as a long training run once I realized I was off course". That is just the way he is.
if you are good enough to be in the lead then you should also understand why it would be totally unfair to the others runners to declare Ryan as the winner. that guy Engle happens to run many many marathons each year and has run several 2:30's. he was likely running for position that day.
yes it sounds like Ryan got sent off course by some inattentive race volunteer. This Ryan appears to be a qualified runners and I bet full well understands the rules the govern runners that go off course. Wont be the first or last time that happens.
appears this article is short on info and maybe not 100% an accurate account. usually when this happens the race director will compensate the runners sent off course in some way as a good will gesture. but never are the runners given an offical time or awarded an overall or age group placemntment or prize. it just wouldnt be fair to the others.
First off, Ryan realized after a few MILES he was off the half course, not "minutes" as the Race Director had said. This would mean that his chances of posting a decent half marathon time/winning it were well gone.
Second, Ryan was sent the wrong way by a race volunteer at a point where the half and marathon split. The lead pace car followed the route the way the volunteer sent them.
Third, unlike what the article said, winning a marathon doesn't qualify you for Boston. Your time qualifies you.
Lastly, the article states, "Carroll, who has never won a marathon, was competing in his seventh marathon"...Umm, he wasn't competing in the marathon. He was running the half and went off course and ran the full, hence why he was disqualified.
also it sounds to me like the race directors were jsut covering their own behinds and not owning up to their own mistake.
the split point. Obviously the race monitors picked up the different color bib. Good job!