Do Not Bandit Ever. Or at Least Don’t Be an Asshole

Let me make this clear: I do not approve of banditing. It’s a moral and safety issue, and I’m sure you’ve heard it all before. When you jump into a race without registering, you take resources—valuable road space, water, fuel, medical personnel—away from registered folks.

But the fact remains that every year, thousands of otherwise-respectable runners turn to banditry. Why do they do such a thing? There are plenty of reasons, the first of which is money. Running the New York City Marathon, for instance, costs $295. While this expense goes toward necessities like road closures, security, race-day fuel, and porta-potties, it’s a fee some just can’t afford—and the race’s fame is enticing enough that some runners don’t want to take on a smaller, cheaper event. Aside from the expense, getting into big races is no easy feat (qualifying times, lotteries). And then there’s the fear of failure. We see you headcases jumping in so you have the option of quitting without a DNF.

Here’s my confession: Back in 2010, I bandited the Boston Marathon. It was the first time I ever ran 26.2, and I had a few joyful crying spells when I realized I was going to finish. How can I forbid banditing when I myself didn’t register? How can I preach to you when running that race inspired me to compete in—and register for—10 more marathons to date?

You shouldn’t do it. But because it’s out of my hands, you should know there are ways to not be an ass if you want to make a go of it.