In need of a Moral compass - Running bandit. (Read 1203 times)

Don't do it. It cheapens you and our sport no matter what logic you use to justify.

Ask the RD. If the RD's down with it, then you're all good.

I don't think he'll be sympathetic to the cause.. "[RD] is an attorney and counselor in private practice in Pepper Pike, Ohio, specializing in corporate, business and antitrust law. He is also a private investor and an executive in several companies throughout the country."

This I find relatively difficult to believe. Possibly they might make a case for trespass, but I think it would be a difficult one to make, if you joined after the start and left after the end. I've seen people write that you are making use of their road closure permit, but so are the spectators who did not pay. Claiming that the spectators are stealing is silly to me. To me this risks the foolishness of saying that by entering a store to escape the rain, but not purchasing an item, you are stealing from the shopkeeper -- to me that is so implausible as to be silly. This is not that implausible, but I still find it pretty implausible to call it stealing. Feel welcome and invited to argue and critique. Or even to just scold (but I'm not sure how useful that is).

You're stealing the race. It's stealing. Just because you in all likelihood would never be prosecuted for it doesn't change the fact it's stealing. If I take an apple off the ground under an apple tree in someone's front yard by reaching in with my feet still on the sidewalk, I'm stealing. Is it the worst thing in the world? Hell no. Are there many, many homeowners who wouldn't care at all and would even offer you an apple right off the tree? Sure. But unless I have permission, I'm stealing. And thanks for the invite to argue on a message board. 'prec.

Why does this race cost $85 dollars and not $20,000..........Because all the legit racers / participants shared the cost !

Sure it's stealing, but you'd probably never get convicted. They'd plea bargain it down to douchebaggery. Not something I'd want on my record.

Sure it's stealing, but you'd probably never get convicted. They'd plea bargain it down to douchebaggery. Not something I'd want on my record.

Yeah, I think you end up on the National Douche Bag Registry for like 10 years or something...not cool...

Banditry threads are always somewhat fascinating (and annoying), but one that starts with 'in need of a moral compass' is very special. Look, you don't need people here to give you a moral compass. You got some of that from your family and perhaps your faith... but mostly, it's that thing that already exists within you that makes your brain say "huh, there's something hinky about this". In those situations, it's easiest and sometimes best just to follow that through and not do the hinky thing. But if you CHOOSE to do it anyway, have at it. The consequences may be minimal. Point being, you already know it is not-quite-right. And it would seem that you are here so that people will tell you that it is not as bad as other not-quite-right things. Does that really matter? As for stealing, I'll take AP's bait. It's theft of services. This is a little different than kiping an apple at the grocery store. I'm not sure that the 'duck into the store to escape the rain' analogy works. It's more like ducking into an ER because you have the sniffles... getting them to take your vitals and such... and then bailing (admittedly my analogy doesn't quite work either because these days you don't get to the triage nurse unless you are near death or have already given some form of insurance/pmt stuff). Are you really taking anything away from other runners by being there? Does it really matter that you are using closed roads which are gonna be closed regardless of you? Is it wrong to be there simply to soak up the vibes of fellowship with the other runners and have a much more pleasant long run than if you did it by yourself? Yes, in my opinion. Not because 'you are in the way'. Although maybe you are. That's too hard to prove unless you are specifically holding up an ambulance or something kooky which you wouldn't do. But simply because every other person around you has paid for the same experience. They all paid. You didn't. Moral compass, like Peter, points North. If you run in a crowd of 10 registered runners and they know you are banditing, one might be of the 'stick it to the man' mindset. A few won't care. A few will care a little. One or two might want to kick you in the nuts. Is it wrong? Sure. But you already know that, or you wouldn't have posted this. Should you not do it? That's for you and Peter North to decide.

And BTW. Do not image google 'Peter North' if you have safe search off and are at work. Especially do NOT do this if you have no idea who Peter North is. And for the record, I ignore my moral compass all the time. Another reason the "duck into X to escape the rain" analogy doesn't work that much is because you aren't going into X with the intention of doing what other people are paying to do, but without paying. It's really that simple. Everyone else is paying to do the thing you want to do for free. Maybe that makes them suckers, but the event was set up as "you get to do this if you pay us" and you want to do it without paying. The End.