Runners during the girls' varsity 5,000-meter race at the Low Country Invitational, held at Mullet Hall in John Island, almost went off course Saturday as course markings were moved on the course.
James Island coach David Lee, leading the pack on a bicycle, directed the females in the proper direction after noticing the course change.
"I had the pleasure of biking the leaders through our course at the Low Country Invitational," said Lee. "During the girls' varsity race, other runners that were on the course warming up decided to move tape and cones, trying to change the course, and mess up the race for other runners. There were two taped off sections that had been altered, as well as cones moved, attempting to send runners into an incorrect section of the woods. Without a bike leader, these young ladies (which included some of the top runners in the state) would have been sent COMPLETELY the wrong way, and the race, basically, would have been pointless.
I've never seen that level of disrespect for your own sport before! It was really sad!"
SCTrackworld.us comment on the situation:
More details will be posted as available.
James Island coach David Lee, leading the pack on a bicycle, directed the females in the proper direction after noticing the course change.
"I had the pleasure of biking the leaders through our course at the Low Country Invitational," said Lee. "During the girls' varsity race, other runners that were on the course warming up decided to move tape and cones, trying to change the course, and mess up the race for other runners. There were two taped off sections that had been altered, as well as cones moved, attempting to send runners into an incorrect section of the woods. Without a bike leader, these young ladies (which included some of the top runners in the state) would have been sent COMPLETELY the wrong way, and the race, basically, would have been pointless.
I've never seen that level of disrespect for your own sport before! It was really sad!"
SCTrackworld.us comment on the situation:
"At a meet this past weekend, some runners went out on the course and purposely moved some course cones and altered some taped off areas. This prank is being pushed by some Web site to see how many XC courses can be sabotaged. The President of the Coaches Association and the Executive Director of the S.C. High School League has been informed of this behavior. The ruling will be that if anyone on a team is caught moving any item meant to help direct or guide runners in a race, then that person will be disqualified from further competition. The disqualified person(s) can not be substituted for any further competition. Furthermore if that person is not on a team then that person will be turned over to legal authorities for destruction of personal property.
This prank is NOT funny. It is very possible that by going off course that a runner could be injured. Many people and many hours have gone into making meets as successful as possible. Coaches -You should talk to your team about the seriousness of this matter."
This prank is NOT funny. It is very possible that by going off course that a runner could be injured. Many people and many hours have gone into making meets as successful as possible. Coaches -You should talk to your team about the seriousness of this matter."
More details will be posted as available.