Contact: Des Moines Marathon
Helene Neville
Executive Director
(515) 710-8343
Alliance Technologies
Steve Sikkink
Executive Vice President
(515) 245-7777
Response to Des Moines Marathon Disqualification
October 16, 2002 - Des Moines, Iowa - The Des Moines Marathon has been
deluged with e-mails since its inaugural event on October 6th. Many of the
e-mails have stated or suggested that a concerted effort is underway to
tarnish the success of the event. Most of these are based on
unsportsmanlike, false or misleading information.
The controversy centers on the disqualification of the men's second place
finisher, Marty Dalton. Dalton was disqualified for running with an
pacer. USATF (USA Track & Field) Rule 66 states:
"…a competitor who has received any assistance whatsoever from any other
person may be disqualified by the Referee. 'Assistance'…includes pacing in
running or walking events by persons not participating in the event…"
Dalton admits an unregistered runner paced him through the first 18 miles
of the course, but has stated he plans to appeal.
William Lorenz, the official referee of the Des Moines event, in
consultation with the event's race director, Helene Neville, made the
decision to disqualify nbased upon the prompt complaints of other runners,
and photographs and video of the pacer with Dalton at the starting line and
elsewhere throughout the course.
Officials of the Des Moines Marathon are working with the national office
of the USATF to assure Dalton's appeal is heard in a timely, objective and
professional manner. According to Neville,
"The Des Moines Marathon does not intend or desire to punish anyone. The
goal is to preserve the integrity of the local event and the sport of
long-distance running. The best way to contest the Referee's decision is
to appeal according to the established rules and regulations of the USATF.
Threatened boycotts, slander and guerrilla Internet tactics are
unsportsmanlike reactions to an already difficult situation."
If the disqualification is upheld, second place will go to Julius Rotich of
West Des Moines, IA, the unofficial third place winner; and third place
honors will be given to Sean Birren of St. Charles, MO, the unofficial
fourth place winner.
About the Alliance Technologies Des Moines Marathon
The Inaugural Alliance Technologies Des Moines Marathon will be held October
4-6, 2002. The marathon will start in downtown Des Moines at 7 a.m., Sunday,
October 6. Marathon weekend will be a three-day celebration of sports,
fitness, health and wellness, including a Marathon expo, pasta dinner, kids'
.2-mile marathon and post-race celebration. To find out more about the
Alliance Technologies Des Moines Marathon check out
http://www.desmoinesmarathon.com on the Web or call (515) 710-8343.
About Alliance Technologies
Alliance Technologies is in the business of helping other businesses do more
through the application of technology. Alliance Technologies offers a wide
range of services that include connectivity (wide area and local area
networks), hosting services in our data center, software solutions and Web
services. On the Web at http://www.alliancetechnologies.net.
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