Posted by Glenn Ribotsky on November 15, 2005 at 06:51:22:
In Reply to: Just A Thought posted by Michael Tobin on November 14, 2005 at 18:53:11:
Such a person may think s/he is being generous--especially if s/he is unable to run him/herself. But to do so allows another individual into the race through a back door not earned by running in nine races, qualifying through time, etc. Even if that other individual has done those things and did not get in by lottery, it in effect allows a "jumping of the line".
And, of course, there are those inconvenient issues of the integrity of the sport. The person whose number it initially was now has a false record (if not discovered) that can be used to unfair advantage (such as being able to falsely qualify for the Boston marathon).
It's still a big no-no. I don't always, or even often, agree with how NYRR handles issues of race administration, but this is one area I have no argument with.