Marathon News - randma's Marathon Institutes New Anti-Doping Policy

May-1-2007

randma's Marathon Institutes New Anti-Doping Policy
by David Monti
(c) Race Results Weekly, all rights reserved

Grandma's Marathon (Duluth, Minn.) has instituted a new anti-doping policy which is designed to supplement anti-doping efforts already being made by USA Track & Field (USATF) and the U.S. Anti-Doping Agency (USADA). The four points of the policy are:

>The disqualification of any athlete testing positive for a banned substance at any Grandma's Marathon event.

>The race will not recruit, subsidize or otherwise assist any athlete who has previously been suspended for using a banned substance.

>Grandma's Marathon organizers will cease relationships with the coach and/or agent of any athlete suspended for banned drug use.

>Elite athletes competing in Grandma's Marathon or the Garry Bjorklund Half-Marathon are required to sign an affidavit acknowledging awareness of the new drug policy stating that they are not using performance-enhancing drugs.

"It is extremely important for our sport's future to make it loud and clear that cheating will not be tolerated," said Scott Keenan, executive director of Grandma's Marathon in a media release. "This policy will help us continue to do our part to inform and educate runners about the consequences and negative impacts of drug use."

The race also reported that they will indeed have drug testing at their event which is scheduled for Saturday, June 16. This will be the fifth time that drug testing will be performed at the race.

"We are very fortunate to have drug testing returning to Grandma's Marathon in back-to-back years," Keenan added. "It is our goal to do everything we can to ensure that the sport of long-distance running is clean."

Keenan's organization was stung at the 2006 edition of the race when the women's winner, Halina Karnatsevich of Belarus, tested positive for a banned substance after the race. She was subsquently disqualified, elevating Svetlana Nekhorosh of Ukraine to the top step of the podium.