So what IS the big deal about race bandits? In the running world, race bandits are people who hop into races without paying the registration fees. This past weekend, a woman made posts on her LinkedIn and Twitter (X) accounts, talking about how how “fearless” it was to just hop into the Brooklyn half marathon, after asking a security guard where it started and ended. Runners in her comments did not agree.
The Context
Self-described entrepreneur Alexa Curtis, of the Be Fearless Summits, made a post on her social media accounts on April 28. She went viral pretty quickly, for all the wrong reasons.
Runners took her to task for publicly and unapologetically banditing a large and popular race, something looked down on in the running world. Curtis spent time defending her actions. In her mind, she justified her actions as something brave, and didn’t seem to consider the ramifications of her choices.
Theft Of Services Is A Real Thing
The money that runners pay to participate in a race goes to a variety of different things. It pays for tangible items like t-shirts and medals, but it also covers permits, law enforcement and medical personnel, insurance, timing companies and equipments, and so much more. A lot goes into putting on a big event, and race bandits make use of those efforts without offering any compensation. Whether or not it’s illegal depends on where you are, but taking what doesn’t belong to you is morally wrong.
Race Bandits Take Amenities From Registered Runners
While one might think race bandits are no big deal, amenities are carefully portioned out for the registered number of runners. In some cases, there are extras for people who signed up after deadline or on race morning. However, some events under order, so if a bandit takes a medal, or fuel or water on the course, it takes something away from a person who paid to be there and receive that amenity.
A Race Bandit Can Put Themselves And An Event At Risk
When a runner registers for an event, they also sign a liability waiver and provide emergency contact information, just in case of injury or accident. A race bandit enters no such information. Should an unpleasant incident befall a race bandit, it might take longer to get proper assistance and medical care. The bandit might also try to sue the event organizers in case of injury, and create legal issues for them. This seems extra unfair, considering the bandit shouldn’t be on the course in the first place.
Bandits Can Crowd A Course And Detract From An Experience
Race courses, even though usually held in public spaces, are designed to accommodate a maximum number of runners. Race bandits can tip the balance and add to crowding on the course. Overall, this eats away at a race experience for paying registrants. No one likes to be hemmed in while running, and too many people on the course is never fun.
Breaking The Rules Is Entitled, Not Fearless
At the end of the day, when someone breaks the rules, it’s not an act of fearlessness, but rather an act of entitlement. For whatever reason, race bandits opt to take something they didn’t pay for and which doesn’t belong to them. It’s a behavior that needs to stop, and while it’s difficult to police, race directors are taking a stand. Frankie Ruiz, Miami Marathon Founder and Race Director, will plant himself on the course, and remove bandits from his event, while videotaping them in the act! RunDisney races also take banditing quite seriously and will ban runners who run with invalid bibs or try to hop on the course.
What Do You Think?
In fairness, after a day of being flogged online, Curtis published an apology for her actions. The apology was as loud as the offense, posted in the same places, and I applaud her willingness to learn from her mistakes. Yes, the damage is done, but her donation to Tucks Travels is a good way to make amends. Hopefully, other race bandits take a moment to see the harm in their actions, and work to do better.
UPDATE (4/30/24)
I am a person who likes to give the benefit of the doubt. While I think race bandits are cheaters, I also believe that non-racers may not fully understand the implications of their actions. When the bandit in question posted her apology and offered up a donation, I thought that perhaps she fell into that category.
Nope. Apparently, she knew exactly what she was doing, and is no stranger to banditting. Two thumbs down.
Also, this is just another reminder: the internet NEVER forgets.
What are your thoughts on race bandits?
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You know what they say about any publicity being good publicity? She got what she wanted–exposure on social media. Why else would she put it out there? UGH.
I know but I still can’t wrap my head around purposefully outing oneself and opening up for viral criticism. I am super jealous of those who can just dissociate. Then again, this woman apparently didn’t cover her tracks and has done this before, and even planned her hop into Brooklyn. Hopefully, NYCRUNS reconsiders their stance and bans her from their events.
Sick. As Wendy said she got attention.
But in a bad way.
And it turns out she knew what she was doing. Boo on her.
I really don’t understand people who invite negative attention. I would be so mortified caught doing something wrong so publicly.
Well- her apology sounds sincere. AND she made a donation, it wasn’t just words. If anything, maybe this made others aware that this is not okay- she didn’t seem to know this ahead of time, so maybe other people don’t realize how serious it is, either. I say, cut her some slack! But don’t do it again, Alexa!
I just shared an update. Apparently, she planned to hop into the race all along, and is no stranger to being a bandit. The only thing fearless about her is her ability to brazenly post her misdeeds on social media to get flogged. Not a good person.
I’m glad she came clean and (sort of) righted her wrong, but what an arrogant move in the first place. At least the organization benefited from her donation.
I just found an update! Turns out, she didn’t come so clean, and is apparently no stranger to this behavior. Gross.
I think they know exactly what they are doing! Shame on them!
The worst. Why do people have to be like that!
I saw her post on Twitter and was annoyed by it. There was nothing fearless or brave about it. I didn’t read anything else about it later till now. Thanks for the update! No sympathy from me at all.
Zero sympathy.