I was following a guy down last year, and followed him over the big rock, just to notice 2 people behind me, in the corner of my eye, keep going the extra 50 feet to the switch back. I stopped went back up the trail to the point of the foul, then turned and started down again. I didn't know I had made an error ? and if it wasn't for the people behind me, I wouldn't have known ? The folks behind me said don't worry about it, just keep going. But I couldn't, because that's me. I think all that is needed is a short flour trail around the switch backs to mark them. I know a lot will disagree with me, and that's fine…. BUT... I want to vent for a moment here. Why do people get so bent if they see or believe a foul has been committed ? I know this is a competitive sport, and I also know people make wrong turns, but geez it's not like they took a bus or subway to gain an advantage ? I have never cheated, to my knowledge, and never will. If I ever see someone cheat on purpose, I don't care! If that person can live with the fact that they cut the course, that's fine with me. What are they going to get extra ? A trophy ? Any trophy I ever got, went straight to the basement in a box, got cobwebs on it, then got thrown out. I enjoy the run, and compete against me, and could give a sh-oot less about anyone else. Just move on, you're getting in a tizzy over nothing !!! ( I know… you'll say: But if this was: New York, or Boston or the Olympics ? Guess what ? It's not !!! And This is what course officials are for, if you get caught cheating, you suffer a DQ. That is not up to me.) And how do we all know, that you weren’t a bitter pill because you got passed by a girl, and you said she cut the course ? If your biggest memory or story about a marathon is: "I saw someone cheat" you're a sad runner in my book. I'm sorry, but that's my belief…. I feel better now. Carry on...
