Bill McGuirk, who many you know as a respected referee and official has published a blog concerning the North Tyneside 10k:
http://harrierleague.blogspot.com/2019/04/north-tyneside-10k-bill-mcguirk-referee.html
This particular event was marred by a reported large number of competitors running using someone else’s bib number, and in the top 30 women’s finishers, 5 were men (not from our club but one was from another North East club).
Bill has asked for support from local clubs and I’ve been in touch with him to reaffirm our commitment and support to highlight this topic.
Our club line is that we play by the rules, including only endorsing legitimate and proper transfers. There are medical, fair competition and inconvenience issues.
There are also sanctions for the individual and the club which we take seriously. We have agreed that we will seek opportunities to drive improvements in lobbying race organisers (with the support of other clubs) to put in place more appropriate transfer provisions.
With our own events (e.g. the Willow Miner Trail Race) we do our bit to illustrate good practice with a lenient transfer policy, and special measures such as spot checks. In perspective, I know that we are held in high regard as a club who play by the rules, which is to our credit.