Full article from Today's San Diego Tribune sport's page.
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When reporters questioned Wagner's identity Sunday, saying he didn't look like Birren, Wagner said he had lost five pounds in training and that his hair was lighter from the sun.
“We are absolutely miffed as to why an Olympic Trials qualifier would so flagrantly break USA (Track & Field) rules and cause that kind of disruption to an event,” David Monti, the New York City Marathon's professional athletes consultant, wrote Wagner in an e-mail.
“The part about how you attempted to explain the difference in your appearance as you pretended to be Sean is particularly reprehensible. We know that you had a beef with the race organizer and perhaps saw this as a way to protest, but cheating is never the way to accomplish that goal. There is no room in our race for someone who would engage in this kind of behavior.”
Wagner yesterday apologized to LJHM race director Bill Uncapher and Monti for his actions.
“In retrospect, I deserve it,” Wagner said of being denied entry to the New York City Marathon. “Running is even more important to other people besides me. Running is very important to the race director at La Jolla.
“Running is so important that even people not living in this area could ban me from a race on the other side of the country. It's a gift you can't be flagrant with, which I was.
“I'm sorry for what I did. It was not worth it.”
Wagner and Birren were upset with LJHM officials on multiple fronts.
Wagner said he was called a cheater by the race announcer when he neared the finish line last year. While leading the race, Wagner told members of the press truck he was not the runner who corresponded to his bib number. He admitted he had purchased the bib from another runner.
Michael Curran, the race's longtime announcer, denied calling Wagner a cheater.
“I've never in my life said anything like, 'He's a cheater,' ” Curran said. “I might have said, 'Hey, next time get a bib.' ”
Wagner and Birren were also disappointed that some top-level runners did not receive entries into this year's race.
Uncapher said those runners applied for entry after the race was sold out. Dave Kloz, who manages the Carlsbad-based BSK Runner Center team, said he attempted to enter those runners in February.
“I was just angry at the way the race was run,” Wagner said. “I wasn't thinking about my future or what the consequences could be.”
Scott Keenan, director of Grandma's Marathon in Duluth, Minn., said he considered rescinding Wagner's complimentary entry for the June race.
Keenan changed his mind, based on a conversation with Wagner yesterday.
“He was very apologetic,” Keenan said.
Said Wagner, a respiratory therapy student, “I would rather never run a race again than be considered a bad person in my community.”
Wagner qualified for the Olympic Trials last June at Grandma's. He placed 25th at the November trials in New York in a personal-best 2 hours, 18 minutes, 25 seconds.
“If I'm guilty of giving somebody a second chance, if I err on that side, I don't think that's bad,” Keenan said. “As I told Dave Monti, it wasn't that bad a day for Allen. He's batting .500.”
Wagner is not permanently banned from the New York City Marathon.
“If he runs well, runs by the rules, doesn't have problems with any other race officials, I'm sure we would certainly reconsider,” said Richard Finn, a race spokesman.
Under race rules, Wagner and Birren are banned from the LJHM for five years for violating rules by exchanging entries.
While it is against USA Track & Field rules to exchange bib numbers, it is a common practice among runners because many races sell out.
Wagner said he would like to perform volunteer work for the LJHM to demonstrate that he's genuinely sorry for his actions.
“I want it to be sincere. I don't want it to feel like just words,” he said.
Meanwhile, numerous runners complained that on a day when record high temperatures were recorded across the county, the LJHM race did not have sufficient water or volunteers.
“The lack of water and replenishment on the course for the novice was unacceptable,” Rick Asher wrote in an e-mail. “At Mile 5, the trash cans of water (being used), the volunteers are filling reused cups (which) have sand in them.”
“It was messed up with the water,” a writer posted on the Web site BeginnerTriathlete.com. “Thankful for the people with water hoses near the end – saved me.”
Uncapher said 30,000 extra cups were ordered in anticipation of the heat.
“Obviously,” he said, “the lack of hydration on a course is inexcusable for any race.”
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