I recently competed in the 2007 Nationals in Boston. (Silver mens 800)
Like the rest of the athletes we cut in after the first turn. There were ten runners in my race as they combined both age groups, 30-39.
Did anyone compete in 2001 like I did? Do you remember running 2 turns before cutting in? I ran a 1:58 ish for third and was DQ'd because apparently on the second turn somehow I stepped on the lane line a time or two fighting against gravity.
So the question is:
Why did we run two turns? Was this an error?, and if it was a different start location for the outside lane runners, then why did race management decide that 10 runners in 2007 was ok to cut in after the first turn, and in 2001 9 runners needed to run almost 150 meters to cut in?
If anyone can please explain to me the difference between the two Nationals I would very much apreciate it as 3rd place was like 3 or 4 seconds behind me, and I was a good second or more behind the silver medalist, so apparently stepping on the line really did not make any difference in the order and even the third place runner approached me and felt bad about getting the medal, and the Gold medalist insisted I protest.
Thank you!
2001:
http://www.masterstrack.com/meets/meets ... s01Men.htm
2007:
http://www.usatf.org/events/2007/USAMas ... -03-25.asp