"It's my blog and I'll rant if I want to!"

This is really a P.S. to my Pasadena 5K report.
During the 5K I actually saw a group of people who "cheated"! I couldn't believe it. In longer distance races there are mats placed throughout the race, and the timer chip you wear will record your time when you hit that mat, i.e. if you miss that mat, you won't be timed and you will have a DNF (Did not finish.) For instance, in a 1/2 marathon you will also cross a mat at the 5K and 10K mark, or other predetermined distances. This is both for the runner to be able to check their times at certain points, but also to keep people from cheating. But with a 5K there usually are no "check points" since it's just 3.1 miles. I was, and still am, shocked. What possible gratification can you get from cheating on a race! And yet it happens. I am really big on encouraging people who are just starting out...even if you're a couch potato, you can do it...but come on! If you can't finish a 5K legitimately, don't sign up. And this was not a case of someone who was "in trouble" physically, as in, we've just got to get to the finish line. So, as I was on my back half of the race, on my way to the finish, I saw this whole group of people cut short of the 1/2 way point & cross over and join the return route. Unbelievable! I heard them rationalizing to themselves about how they had probably walked 3 miles if you count walking to/from the car, etc. I almost said something but didn't want to get beat up. And to think that they got a medal for it. Disgusting.

OK, I'm off my soap box.