oops... !

This tops the Atlanta Track Club's website as of yesterday afternoon: "The ATC would like to offer a sincere apology to all runners in Time Group 1B for the timing error that took place at the Peachtree Road Race. Miscommunication caused Group 1B to be held at the start. The mats that activate the timing chips were then removed, making net timing impossible. Time Groups 1A and 1B will not be separated in the future. 4 minutes and 30 seconds (4:30) will be deducted from the official time for each runner in this group. The amended net time may be submitted as a qualifying time for next year's Peachtree." I was in Time Group 1B, wouldn't you know it! I knew when I crossed the start line that there were no mats, as a matter of fact, I commented to my running partner, "There were no mats..." In fact, I was very observant and quite right. They did hold us a long time it , I knew they were doing something up there, but I'm too short to see over the heads of the people in front of me to see what was going on. But, whoever was at the front of our group could see, and they knew! because we could hear booing going on. I thought it was just because people were getting impatient and wanted to go but now I know that the people in front must have seen the mats being removed and knew that they had a chip on and that the volunteers should not be removing the mats just yet. Oh well, I figure my time to be about 58 minutes. Not too bad for someone who stoped twice for tee shirts, he he he he.... and that's a whole nother story...