The Ethics of Running in a lower age group

plateaued

If you want to compete against younger runners, and can generally outperform them, is it ethical to enter a race in a younger bracket? Chuck Klosterman's answer in the New York Times is unintelligible to me, but that's because I am old:

http://www.nytimes.com/2014/10/26/magazine/is-it-cheating-to-compete-against-younger-runners.html?ref=todayspaper&_r=0

litsy3

Where I live there is generally an open category for the main prizes that anyone can win, and there are age group categories. Sometimes the age groups only have a lower limit, so that anyone over 40 can win the over 40 prize, even if they are in the next category up. That's usually the case if the 40+ prize is worth more than the 50+ prize (especially in smaller, lower-budget races). But anyone can win the open prizes.

The guy asking the original question (can I enter myself in a younger age group if it's 'easier' to win) wouldn't stand a chance under this system, as he'd be racing everyone including his own age group. If he meant 'I'm so good I can win the younger age group and get a better prize than the one for my age group' then he'd benefit.

lulukittie

Yeah, most of the smaller races in my area have an open category and a master's category (usually 40 and over). The bigger ones will segment into smaller age ranges. I find it strange and sad that someone would want to pretend to be a different age.

DavidMartinez2

I *think* the original questioner is saying that he would place better in a differnt Age Group? Sorry but filling out race registrations isn't a Choose Your Own Adventure.

As for competing with younger runners, there are very few races I have done that had seperate Open and Masters races. 95% of the time we are all out there running together.

fleetzz

I would place if I were in the over 60 female age group . I don't think they will let me switch, but the races I enter don't usually give out awards.

In any case the races I run the 40 year old generally outperform the 20's and 30's, but it is not fair to let what would be a 4th place finisher in the 40 age group drop down to the 20 or 30 year old age group to allow him/her to win.