By now, many of you have heard about Jerry Johncock (aptly named). If not, here’s a summary:

This past weekend, Jerry, 81 years of age, ran in the Twin Cities Marathon. At mile 21, he said he had a blood clot that was preventing him from urinating. Not carrying a catheter at the time (go figure, we carry just about everything else), he borrowed and used one from a spectator (who just happened to have one). After inserting the borrowed catheter, Jerry completed the race and finished first in his age division. After the race, there was controversy over whether he was going to be disqualified because he left the course.

OK, this story perplexes me in so many different ways.

• I’m all for runner’s being mental and crazy in some of the things we do, but putting your health on the line just isn’t one of them. A blood clot and the first thing you can thing of is how can I go on? Sorry, but that’s just plain reckless. There’s a line and it’s been crossed. There’s always another race…go get help.
• Sharing a towel (not gross) – drinking out of the same glass (a little gross) – using somebody’s else’s catheter (huh?). I’m sorry, you using that? Mind if I stick it inside me? Do I need to expand?
• He left the course to insert the catheter in his Johncock (I’m sure nobody wanted to see that on the course). He reentered the course and did not take an advantage in the race. Race officials wanted to disqualify him. I’m sorry, an 80 year old man has a blood clot, uses a catheter and finishes the race. Anybody else think the controversy is centered around the wrong thing?

With the recent deaths of long distance runners in big name races, I would think USATF would focus on runner safety before $225 in prize money. We run because we enjoy it and have fun. Nobody should have to mimic Pheidippides and actually die at the end of the marathon.