New York Road Runner Physically Attacks Cyclists

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Anonymous's picture
Anonymous

Last night (July 20) at approximately 7:30 p.m., a participant in the New York Road Runner’s Nike run in Central Park physically attacked at least two cyclists without provocation. This occurred on the 72nd Street transverse.

To the credit of the New York Road Runner’s Club, they had set aside one lane of the transverse for cyclists (going in both directions.) Perhaps a half dozen cyclists, myself among them, were at this particular moment slowly making our way along the transverse from East to West, in single file, in the lane that the New York Road Runners had designated for us.

Suddenly, a runner, caught behind a pack of other runners, dashed into the bicycle lane and ran directly toward the approaching line of cyclists. He loudly shouted an obscenity at a young woman cyclist and then reached out with both hands, and viciously knocked her to the ground.

Continuing to shout obscenities, he then took another step and shoved me with both hands. I also hit the ground.

The next few seconds are a bit of a blur, but I was under the impression that another rather tall cyclists started to get off his bike (while I struggled to get out of my toe clips while lying on the ground). At this point, the runner did what bullies generally do when it looks as if somebody might stand up to them. He ran.

Please note that this was not another garden variety act of curmudgeonly New York name calling. The riders were peacefully going about their business of attempting to get across the park in the space the New York Road Runners Club has set aside for them and advised them to use via a bullhorn. The attack was gratuitous, physical and savage, and clearly intended to injure.

The runner, who was evidently cheating on his own club’s rules by making an end run around the lanes designated for runners, appeared to be in his 30s. He was husky and approximately 5’11’. The woman was slightly-built and perhaps in her 20s. I am 66.

I find it remarkable that perhaps100 runners passed by during the roughly 30 seconds that all this occurred, and not one of them stopped to interfere with the attacker, help the woman who had been attacked or inquire whether she was all right. Hey guys, I know you were anxious to make your qualifying time, but doesn’t a single member of the New York Road Runners Club have a shred of decency?

The runners were not wearing numbers. I checked the NYRR website this morning to learn what the race was all about and discovered that the runners had identifying microchips attached to their shoes. In my opinion, this new technological wrinkle encourages runners to violate NYRR rules and grants them the anonymity that encourages bullies like the one I just described to cheat in races and attack anyone who attracts their borderline psychopathic fancy.

To the young woman involved: I know that when I spoke to you after the incident you told me that you were all right. However, you were holding yourself in such a way that it appeared you might have injured your back. It occurred to me (later that evening, I apologize to say) that you might have been in shock, or simply numb from the fall and didn’t discover the extent of your injuries until some time later. (My own injuries seem to have been relatively minor: a scraped elbow and a bruised hip.)

If you have indeed discovered injuries that required medical treatment, hospitalization and/or lost work, and if you are reading this, I encourage you to consult a lawyer and see if you have a course of action against the New York Road Runners Club (a relatively big business for a “non-profit” organization, boasting on its website of 60 employees and advertising for more) and against Nike and the New York Department of Parks.

Monitors had been placed at the intersection of the transverse at the East and West drives, but none that I could see were posted along the transverse itself, policing the club’s own runners. This failu

Anonymous's picture
runner number...... (not verified)

I'm really sorry to hear about what happened to you last night! I ran in the race and it was filled with idiots. Unfortunately I am not surprised to hear what happened, but there’s absolutely NO excuse. Making a PR is not an excuse for abhorrent behavior. Hey, I had a PR last night and I managed not to plow into cyclists.

Anyway we did have numbers on. They were on the left hand sleeve of the T-shirt and were printed on permanently. At 7:30 on the 72nd transverse it seems you where accosted by some of the faster runners, the race only started at 7pm and it took me about 8 minutes to get across the start line. Look towards the 7 minute milers to find who you seek.

Anonymous's picture
Rob (not verified)
stress buster group from same night

I and about 8 others met for the weekly ride. The ride leader did not make it and we awaited the opening of the East drive at 7:15 because of the race noted above.

Well, it was a hellish site. There were thousands of people running, but most walked. I and the others made our way very very slowly on the right side and tried to
notify the runners/walkers to watch their left etc.

I did get a big mouthful from one paricipant that there was NO BIKING because of the event. Okay, I have met many of his type before and gave a polite thank you for the information.

Regarding Peter's incident I can not add to it since I was with my group, However,let me add a few things to the
Night.

1) I never saw ANY lane for cyclists or Non-participants in the event.
2) I don't even know what event it was for. There was no banner that I could see and the t-shirts added little, but the shirts did have NYRR logo on them.
3)The event people with megaphones did ask runners to keep to their left, but that lasted 2 feet and they moved back to cover the entire road way.
4) We made a lap, then saw this was going to be a long
nite, took a break, then did 2 laps with Emile (I think I got it right).

Okay, enough said except isn't their a better way for us to know that such events are going on. I did see a post here, but never expected the mess. If they all ran it would have been great. The fact that many walked made it a total mess.

I beleive the park should be shared, but maybe a better way to protect the bike, walker, moms with strollers, skaters lane. Perhaps, roping a lane off.

Rob

Anonymous's picture
Rob (not verified)
one more thought

If the Road was unsafe because of the amount of Runners/walkers then it Never should have been opened.

Anonymous's picture
runner number...... (not verified)
for future reference
Anonymous's picture
Anthony Poole (not verified)
Report it to the NYPD

Peter,

An assault is an assault and it is a crime. What happened to you and the other cyclist was an assault. You should report this incident to the New York Police Department.

Anonymous's picture
Vitaly (not verified)
Just a thought...

I was there yesterday as well. It was pretty bad. Runners mostly ignored monitors' instructions to leave one lane open and I got a few angry shouts in return for warnings to those who were walking (not running mind you) in the bikers lane. I had to abandon the ride after the first lap. However my questions is this: is there a way to find out if there is an organized run or other mass event scheduled to in the park so as to avoid riding at such times? Does the Deptartment of Parks post this info anywhere? If not, would it be possible for NYCC to request a notification from them, so that it could be posted on our site? Just a thought...
Vitaly

Anonymous's picture
Inga (not verified)
It's easy to find out the race schedule

"NYRR posts it on their website in the beginning of the year. Someone already posted the link to the July schedule--here it is again http://www.nyrr.org/race/2005/calendar/july.php
It's also easy to change the month and see what's scheduled in the future months.

I am sure most of you know, last night was an exception, NYRR races are almost always on weekend mornings. Although races are held almost every weekend, most are pretty short, and don't inconvenience other park users for more than an hour. I don't think you can expect to get a ""quality"" ride in CP on a weekend or a weekday evening anyway--the park is super, super crowded.

What happened last night is very unfortunate, and should definitely be reported to NYPD. NYRR should also be notified, but I personally don't think they should get the blame. One of the runners just happened to be a total psycho--but I wouldn't judge the entire population of runners by this horrible incident. Jerks can be found in every group--runners, cyclists, surfers, hockey players, whatever. Sh*t happens. I run AND bike, and once in a while get to hear both runners and cyclists complaining about each other (and yes, some of the points they are making are totally valid). Why can't we all just get along and respect each other as members of NYC athletic community (as cheesy as it sounds)?"

Anonymous's picture
Vitaly (not verified)
I don't mean the schedule from NYRR...

I don't mean the schedule from NYRR - they are not the only ones holding events in the park - rather, I mean getting info from NY Park Dept. and posting it on NYCC site. May be this is not practicable, but if it is, perhaps it's worth looking into...

Anonymous's picture
Lesley (not verified)
Incident in Central Park

"I was running in the race last night and witnessed this incident. I'm embarrassed on behalf of all runners, and I'm sorry that none of us stopped to help the cyclists involved. I mentioned it to one of the 'official' NIKE pace setters, and suggested that someone like that be disqualified, but she didn't seem to want to do anything about it. Anyway, the guy was as you described - in his 30s, 5'10""-ish, with short dark hair. I tried to see his number, and it appeared to be 7959 or 7969. I can't be certain though, as the numbers were small and printed on the sleeve of the shirt. Anyway, I note someone else who has responded thought he was running 7 minute miles - he wasn't. He and ran together for a bit just after the incident and then I went ahead, so he finished after me: I did a time of 42.30. I'm sorry I can't be of more help, but I hope you find him. I doubt it's any consolation but every runner who ran past him after the incident told him that he was a complete moron."

Anonymous's picture
Inga (not verified)
deleted-per Maggie's comment

"So, it seems like the attacker was neither #7969 (too slow) nor #7959 (at least based on Maggie's comment below). If anyone saw the number (or thinks they may know what the race number was), what you can do is look up who that was under ""race results"", then plug the name in under ""race results archive"", and look at the pictures from any race to see if that's the person (I would recommend half marathon pics--they always have nice ones)"

Anonymous's picture
Hank Schiffman (not verified)
Unless the runner has a permanent bib #...

... he will have a different bib # for each race. So don't count on plugging in the number on other race photo sites and getting the same runner.

Anonymous's picture
Donovan Rebbechi (not verified)
another candidate ... ?

Bib 7859 also finished in about the right time -- 42:35. That's a good match, could easily be confused with 7959. Slightly further back, bib 7896 (not a very good match but worth checking). Those are the best matches between 42:30 and 44:30. I think if a 42:30 runner saw the incident near the 4 mile mark, the culprit should be in the 42:30-44:30 range, so with the bib number that narrows it down somewhat.

I found an older picture for the guy who was wearing bib 7896...
Is this the guy ? And
here's a picture of the guy who had bib 7949 (time 43:07)

BTW, I looked up a picture of Larry Shlachter from a previous race (healthy kidney 10k). He doesn't match the description ( he has reddish-brown hair)

Anonymous's picture
Inga (not verified)
This should work

"I don't mean to come across as a ""know it all"" kind of jerk, but I've run quite a bit of NYRR races so I feel like I can definitely offer some suggestions as to how to identify the person.

To Hank-you are 100% right, unless one has a permanent number (which I believe you couldn't even use for the Nike race--b/c of the pre-printed # on t-shirts), it will vary for every race. However, if you look up the runner's NAME (not race #) in the search field under the archive section, you can get his results (and pictures) from prior races. That's what I've done in Larry's case.

It is totally possible to identify the person--but Lesley is definitely the best person to do it, since she actually got a good look at the guy. Otherwise we just keep posting pics of innocent people... probably not a good idea.

Lesley--if you have time (it could be a bit time consuming, but you could hit a jackpot right away though... who knows), that's what you can do:

1) Don't search for a guy based on the net (chip) time--since you don't know how far back or upfront he started. Go by gun time (actual time from the start of the race, not from when his chip crossed the start line. This ""gun time"" is called ""finish time"" on the website). Your finish time was 43.09--since he finished somewhere close behind you, just check the name of every guy of the appropriate age (30s?) with finish times from 43.10 (or so) to let's say, 45.00: http://web2.nyrrc.org/cgi-bin/htmlos.cgi/50182.3.796055787800008785 The list seems long, but there are not that many guys in their 30s that would meet the time criteria, so it really isn't that bad

2) Plug the names of the people into this section (at the very bottom of the page: http://web2.nyrrc.org/cgi-bin/start.cgi/aes-programs/results/consolidate... You'll get their results for every NYRR race they've done

3)Then you can click on any race name out of the ones they've done (like I said earlier, I recommend half marathons--if they've done any--they usually have more pictures--or some other high profile race with a big name sponsor). Once you are on the results page for that race, click on ""view, share & purchase photos"", plug the person's name, and you get their pictures.

I don't want to come across as someone who enjoys stalking random people in my spare time... The reason I am so involved in this issue is because a) being a runner myself, I am completely disgusted by what happened--I don't want us (runners) to be identified with something like that. This person is basically a criminal--who could have really caused some serious trauma to innocent people. This gives runners a bad name--and I really really hate that. I just want to make sure this person is found and punished in some manner. b) my boss is out this week, and work is not that busy--so I have time to waste on web posts..."

Anonymous's picture
Donovan Rebbechi (not verified)
I agree ...

I've taken down the pictures. I used a similar procedure to that ... looked up people whose bibs looked similar, looked up racing history, and dug up brightroom pictures. I think it can also be narrowed down a lot by looking at the bib numbers ...

Anonymous's picture
Lesley (not verified)
Another candidate

Sorry, I couldn't reply sooner. It's definitely not runner 7896 and I cannot say with certainty that it was runner 7949. Unfortunately every second man in the race looked like this guy. However, I have notified NYRRC and I'm hoping they might act on it, because I certainly wasn't the only one to witness this.

Anonymous's picture
Donovan Rebbechi (not verified)
OK, thanks anyway

I think it will be easier to pick out the culprit when the brightroom photos are up -- with old photos, the person will be wearing different clothes, possibly have a different hairstyle, etc. Anyway, I'd suggest that you do as the followup to my post suggested -- try going through the list of runners who are between your time and about 2 minutes back. By the time you narrow it down to males who have a bib number that looks right, there aren't that many.

Anonymous's picture
Donovan Rebbechi (not verified)
gun or chip time ?

Was that 42:30 gun time or chip time ? If it's chip time, what was your gun time ? Because if he was with you at 4 miles, he should be no more than about 30 seconds or so behind you (any idea how far back he was ?), so that would narrow it down quite a lot. Elsewhere, I posted the bib of someone who finished a bit behind you whose number is a pretty close match.

Anonymous's picture
runner number...... (not verified)

"A psychopath runner from Central Park Track Club physically attacked two or three people on bicycles, unprovoked, last year or two years ago because they were ""in his way."" The president of that running club was contacted but said it wasn't his responsibility and refused to do anything about it or reprimand the psychopath in question. Perhaps it's the same person who did that on Wednesday night, because he fits that description."

Anonymous's picture
Evan Marks (not verified)
Make sure NYRRC hears about this
Anonymous's picture
Peter Hochstein (not verified)
Notifying the NYRRC

Good suggestion, Evan. I have just done that. Let's see where it gets us, if anywhere.

Anonymous's picture
Maggie Schwarz (not verified)
Larry Schlacter

I know Larry and there's no way he's in any way aggressive. He could never have done this.

Anonymous's picture
Ed O'Donnell (not verified)
Assault

"The victim(s) should immediately contact Mary Wittenberg, President of the NYRR: 212 -860-4455 x230. I can guarantee that she will take this seriously. There is a lot of chatter about how to ferret out who this is; she can easily get to the bottom of it. I have forwarded this NYCC Message Board's link directly to Mary's e-mail.

From the Run, Hit Wonder page: Rules of Competition
""All NYRR races are organized and directed under USA Track & Field rules and regulations. Entrants must also comply with City of New York, Parks & Recreation and NYRR rules. Failure to do so may result in offenders being disqualified and possibly banned from NYRR events, including the ING New York City Marathon. [Click here for rules.]""
"

Anonymous's picture
Peter Hochstein (not verified)
Conversation between me and the NYRR counsel

I received a call today from Robert Laufer, Vice President - Legal of New York Road Runners. We had a cordial telephone conversation.

Among the points we covered:

-- I do not want to try to identify the person who attacked me and at least one other cyclist during last Wednesday Nike event because I do not clearly remember his face (the entire incident occurred in about 30 seconds and there were the distractions of seeing another rider knocked over and then getting pushed over myself.) My concern is that I might mistakenly identify the wrong person. For obvious reasons I would not want this to happen.

--However, one of the runners mentioned that the person who did these attacks was seen and admonished by quite a few other runners, so I suggested that someone among the runners might know that person's identity. If you do, Mr. Laufer would like to hear from you. Contact him at [email protected].

--People who observe any misbehavior by runners at NYRR-sponsored events should likewise contact Mr. Laufer.

--It should be noted that the race in question was not a NYRR-sponsored event, although clearly there was a connection between NYRR and Nike, the sponsor. I therefore suggested that NYRR should press Nike to reinstitute bibs with large numbers on them. He said the club has insisted on numbers but had, in this instance, settled for the smaller numbers that were printed on the runners' T-shirts. (It's my recollection that these could not be read or even readily noticed at a short distance.)

--I complained that while there were monitors at both ends of the 72nd Street Transverse, there were none in the middle where the incident occurred. Mr. Laufer's position is that it is not possible to find enough monitors to oversee every yard of the race, and that where unmonitored, runners will tend to run outside of their lanes. I suggested that runners be admonished before each race to respect their lanes. I might add (post conversation) that discipline might be more enforceable if runners who violate the lanes were disqualified.

--Mr. Laufer said that an attempt will be made to provide direct notification to NYCC when races are being run, so that bicyclists can avoid the park at those times. Another aside: I'm not certain I agree with that solution. With the exception of major events with national and international impact, such as (and perhaps limited to) the New York Marathon, I believe in shared access at all times, with some space set aside for non-participants in any particular event to use the roadways for their own enjoyment.)

--I promised to post a report of our conversation on the NYCC message board.

A personal note: It's hardly a secret that Central Park is a heavily used public facility, with many competing demands for space. Most of the time, cyclists, runners, skaters and pedestrians manage to share the space with a minimum of hassles. Where possible, let's report the hasslers but worker a bit harder keep the peace.

Okay, I'm done with this subject. I hope, I hope, I hope.

Anonymous's picture
CRCA rider (not verified)
CRCA in Central Park

"I know that the CRCA has been contacted because of cyclists violating the park rules during non CRCA events. There used to be a Thursday night ""race."" Basically the racers would get together on their own and ride the park very quickly. Although CRCA has no control over these cyclists, the park was going to cancel CRCA events if the Night race continued. So CRCA made a statement that any CRCA racer seen in the night race would be suspended. It is my understanding that there was a racer suspended from racing. I have no idea if the night race continues.

Whats my point?

The CRCA is fully responsible for marshalling their events. I was told that the park has cancelled events in the past for lack of marshalling. Racers must marshall to participate in races. And races must occur at 6am in the morning so that they do not effect the use of the park for others.

Why are the cyclists held to rules that the runners are not obligated. If this situation occured at a CRCA event, CRCA would never be allowed to race in the park again. I am assuming that this has to do with money. I am guessing that the NYRR give a lot more money to the Parks than the CRCA."

Anonymous's picture
Zoetemelk (not verified)
answer: politics & money

The New York City Marathon which the NYRRC runs is a major international event bringing tens of millions of dollars to NYC, the Central Park Conservancey, etc...

I hate that truth - but your point that they should do everything in their power to keep incidents like this from happening in the future, is well taken.

In this case it sounds like if the participants were simply wearing normal race numbers and there were more marshals (to see the numbers) - the attacker would allready be in police hands, or never would have committed a stunt lie that in the first place.

Nik

Anonymous's picture
Hank Schiffman (not verified)
The shoe on the other foot...

"Here is a post from a member of my running team upon reading about this incident:

""If you recall, I was run over from behind by two cyclists while I was running in Central Park two years ago. They were not street punks, but full attired in shiny lycra with the latest gear. They also offered me no assistance when I was lying in the road, didn't call for help etc. I have a lovely scar on my elbow from the surgery that was needed to pin my arm back together. I will never have full flexion and extension in my right arm despite months of physical therapy.""

We all dread the workings of a mentally deranged person but the actions and inactions of these cyclists are reprehensible as well.
"

Anonymous's picture
Zoetemelk (not verified)
That's horrible. If anything like that ever happens again...

"I urge you to come on these boards and post a description of the bike attire, jersey etc.. and I will be happy to drop a dime on them quicker than you can say ""accountabilty"".

I assume your point is that Cyclists can be asses as well. That is certainly true.

Nik"

Anonymous's picture
john m. (not verified)
No cyclist in their right mind

No cyclist in their right mind would purposely hit a jogger . But , these things do happen . It happened to me a guy ran across the road while chasing his dog and I hit him. Nothing happened to him but I broke my hand . This women probably got hit by a cyclist and they where rude and didn’t offer help, and there are a lot reckless cyclist in the park especially in the summer , but to try to compare her situation with what happened in this case is absurd .
This runner purposely attacked a cyclist with the intent to cause physical damage and I think that’s called assault. And this all happened in a NYRRC organized event where it’s NYRRC responsibility to keep things in order and allow other people to use the park during this event . If the NYRRC for some reason is not able to do that they should either close the entire road off or not have the event . I don’t have any problem with NYRRC personally I think it’s a good organization and they do a lot of good work . But personally I feel whenever they have an event in Park I need to leave the Park and I always do like a lot of other cyclist . But , I have found myself in the park while a race was in progress and needed to navigate thru the runners to get out of the park it’s not easy .

Anonymous's picture
Hank Schiffman (not verified)
The hit was probably an error, but the run was a felony. (nm)
Anonymous's picture
Donovan Rebbechi (not verified)
the pictures are up ...

They've posted the pictures from the race. unfortunately, because the bib numbers aren't clearly visible, the pictures are pretty hit-and-miss: looks like they just used finishing times to post finish line pictures. Anyway, there's at least one runner who is a fairly close match of the description (very short dark hair, approx match on the bib number, finished the race at almost exactly the same time as Lesly, age not quite 30s but very close) The guy in this picture has rolled one of his sleeves up, which strikes me as a bit suspicious.

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