Is it ok to bandit run a half-marathon?

Question

My friend really would like me to run with her during her first half-marathon but the registrations are now closed. I can live without the bib, the chip, and anything else that might be offered to the runners who paid to participate. All I want is to be able to run alongside my friend and be as invinsible as possible to all other runners. How bad (or illegal?) is it to run a race without having registered? Share your experience if you have any.

Answer 1

It's no problem. Just don't cross the finish line or take any of the things at the finish (food, beverages, etc.) that are provided to registered runners.

Now that a lot of races are chip timed, the finish line isn't as big a deal, but for manually timed races it's really a headache when an unregistered runner crosses the line, as it screws up the timing and placement of all the runners behind him.

Answer 2

I've done this as well (as a training run, didn't go all out), as others have said just don't go through the finish line area so not to get confused with the entry runners........duck off with the last .1 Mi. to go of the half marathon.  Just bring your own fluids/foods to eat afterwards since your not registered.  Mark your pt. isn't correct, if I've trained I'm running the same distance......just not going all out due to the fact I'm saving that effort for another race!!  Will gladly give $ to charity, I'm not registering and turning in a time when I'm not going all out!!

Answer 3

Wow, I cant believe you guys are supporting his decision. No morals? If you decide to hop in the race without paying, I hope you get arrested bro.

Answer 4

This is a very serious race that many have trained all year to accomplish. Many hours of ones life are spent and much suffering goes along with running at this level. As a runner I would ask that you not do this because of the distance of the run and the effort that will be spent to accomplish this effort. I totally understand your feelings on this but the question of illegal is on the back burner. The thought of understanding what real runners endure and the respect of this effort are in the forefront of my concerns

Answer 5

i have know a lot of people to run races without registering for it, they just aren't counted in the results. as a competitive runner i would have no problem with you doing that because i don't think that one person running without registering, as long as they are not counted, would violate me and my training or hard work because i would run the same whether there was 500 or 501 runners or if no one had registered, it doesn't change anything because you are still running. (rebuttal to previous answerer).

i say go ahead

Answer 6

i have done it i was late for a race and started about 4 minutes late and caught up and continued i stopped at the end though and didnt cross the finish line as the people woudl ask for my chip