Team Ragged Glory – Adventure Racing, Multi Sport, Friends

Saturday’s run was crowded! Nancy’s sister Patty and brother-in-law Craig joined us, along with their dogs Jack and buddy.Eric Henricks and a few of his Team Tenacious friends joined us for our regular Saturday run at Fort Harrison in Indianapolis. Team Ragged Glory members Nancy Gawrys, , Steve Kincade and I (Doug Theis) had a great time with all the visitors. We hope to see you all more often!

Eric’s wife Gail set up the Team Tenacious website, and was kind enough to include me and Nancy Gawrys in the group. Gail calls me Mr. Photogenic. That’s the first time in my life I’ve been called photogenic. Thanks, Gail.

After the Urban Sprint Race this year, I was fortunate enough to sit in on one of the 2011 planning sessions with the race directors of the Indianapolis-based adventure races. Many topics were discussed, including cheating during an adventure race.

During the Planet Adventure Urban Sprint Race this year, an all-male team was splitting up to take advantage of the opening urban trek section. The team would send a fast member to the control, and the slower members would “cut the corner” and head off to the next control in the mean time. The rules of the race stated that team members must stay within 50 feet of each other at all times. The accused team ended up taking home winning trophies, but were later DNF’ed based on the evidence.

Is what they did cheating? I admitted a similar offense at Holcomb Gardens in the same race. Nancy ran about 100 yards to the statue while Jeff and I stayed near the bikes. I think both the first team and TRG cheated, strictly speaking. It’s then up to the race director what penalty should be assessed.

I do believe, however, that 50 feet is too small a distance. 50 yards is a more reasonable expectation, and it allows for the natural occurences of separation, especially on the bike.

Comments?

@TeamRaggedGlory is running 10-15 at Fort Harrison Saturday morning, November 20. Steve, Nancy and I are training for the Tecumseh Trail Marathon, put on by our adventure racing friend Brian Holzhausen and Dino Series.

Come play with us!