Several months ago I decided it would be nice to run a half marathon. The December 9 date sounded like a good time to go to Tucson. The weather should be nice and I had heard some good things about the organization of the race. My training started and it went quite well. I picked up my mileage and felt like I could improve on my time at the Duke City half.

December 9 arrived. We lined up for a 7 AM start. The morning was rather cold as the sun was not up The race started and I was rather confident that I could run a respectable race. Something happened on the way to the finish line. Something very unexpected happened. The first mile was very slow, but I felt the second was a little better and each mile seemed easier. We were near the 5 miles mark when we came to an intersection. I saw the police officers at the corner so we assumed we could run right through. This group of officers decided that the runners had to stop and the cars could go on through. We tried to explain that is not the way it is supposed to work. They insisted that the cars had to be let through. The crowd of about 25 runners got very impatient. I guess I was the most impatient. When I saw a small break in the traffic I made a dash for it. I didn't get 5 steps into the intersection when the cops descended on me. A big macho guy grabbed me, starting yelling at me, grabbed at my number, ripped it off my chest and yelled at me You are disqualified. Then another officer ran up to me and grabbed me, Not only are you disqualified, but you are also under arrest. This wasn't enough , a third officer came running up and slapped handcuffs on me. By this time I was in shock and very embarrassed.

After the dust settled, I asked what I was being charged with. He finally came up with disobeying a police officer. I asked, what now? They looked at each other as if they didn't know what to do with me. Finally the head guy decided that they just as well let me finish the race as he had my number and therefore I would automatically be disqualified. After being released I said I just as well jog on in to the finish line. After a short jog it suddenly hit me that I had a computer chip on my shoe and the number had nothing to do with my time I tried to pick up my pace, but somehow my heart was not in it.

Perhaps my most unique racing experience in my 30 years of racing. Next time I will be carrying bail money and be running in my stripped prison shirt.

P.S. I since have been officially disqualified from the race as my name has vanished from the race results.