As children we were taught that if we didn’t behave we might end up on Santa’s “naughty” list and get a lump of coal in our Christmas stockings instead of whatever was on our wish lists. Race directors have their own naughty lists, and take them quite seriously.
While most runners follow all the rules and regulations, there is growing concern about the unauthorized sale, transfer and use of bibs, particularly for popular races like the Credit Union Cherry Blossom Ten Mile Run.
When you entered the lottery for the Credit Union Cherry Blossom Ten Mile Run, you were warned that sharing or using a bib that is not your own would put you on the naughty list for two years.
If race officials become aware that a runner participated in the Credit Union Cherry Blossom 10 Mile Run or the 5K Run-Walk wearing a bib that is not registered to that runner, both the runner and the person to whom the bib is registered will be banned from the Credit Union Cherry Blossom 10 Mile Run or the 5K Run-Walk for the following two years.
Selling or buying a bib outside of the official transfer process will put you on the naughty list for three years.
If race officials determine that a runner is selling or has sold their bib to another runner (without going through the official transfer process), both the seller and buyer will be banned from the Credit Union Cherry Blossom 10 Mile Run or 5K Run-Walk for the following three years.
With prizes at stake, it’s not surprising that cutting the course also will put you on the naughty list for four years.
If race officials determine that a runner has not completed the full official 10 mile or 5K course and has in fact cut or not run a certain portion, that runner will be banned from the Credit Union Cherry Blossom 10 Mile Run or the 5K Run-Walk for the following four years.
If you just found out you were selected in the lottery, you probably are excited about running on April 2. But if something happens between now and then, there is an easy-to-use Bib Transfer Process that will be available from February 1 to February 28. Through that process, you can transfer your bib to a friend, or post your bib as available for transfer.
For the safety of all runners, race directors need to have accurate information about who is running the race. Stay off their naughty list and use the bib transfer process if you end up with a conflict or injury that keeps you from being able to run!