A Brief Chat with Allan Steinfeld, Referee of the Men's Marathon Trials

by Amby Burfoot
Allan Steinfeld likes to say that he "accidentally volunteered" for the 1975 New York City Marathon in Central Park. Three years later, Fred Lebow hired him to become the club's technical director. From 1994 to 2005 he served as CEO of the New York Road Runners and director of the ING NYC Marathon. Now retired and living in Pennsylvania with his wife Alice, another longtime NYRR employee, Steinfeld continues to serve on a number of boards and to do volunteer work for various running organizations. On Jan. 14 in Houston, he will act as head referee of the Men's Marathon Trials. Elizabeth Phillips will hold the same position in the women's race.

Allan Steinfeld. Photo by PhotoRun.net

What does the head referee do? Allan Steinfeld: It's my job to observe the race, and to hear any protests from an eligible party--athlete, coach, or agent--after the race. I then make a decision on the protest, and if they don't like it, they can go to the Jury of Appeals for a final decision. Under a new USATF/IAAF rule, the head referee can personally make a disqualification based on violations he or she has seen during the competition.
How often have you been head referee in a competition like this? AS: I was head referee at the 1984 Olympic Marathon in Los Angeles, and I've held the position at major marathons around the world, including many of the big New York Road Runners races like the last Olympic Marathon Trials. Probably about a dozen races in all.
Have you ever disqualified anyone? AS: No. I've never even received a protest.
Where will you be stationed during the race? AS: I'll be on the lead vehicle or photo truck or whatever's just ahead of the TV vehicle. Nothing gets between the TV vehicles and the runners, but I should be only about 100 feet or so in front of the lead runners.
So you can't see much that's going on behind the lead runners? AS: Not too much. I'll hear about that later, if there's a protest. Also, we will have a number of umpires stationed along the course, particularly at the water stations, to observe the runners. You have to remember that it's basically a three-lap course, so it's not too difficult to have people at all the important places.
What will you be looking for during the race? AS: I'll be looking for examples of interference or assistance. Those are the two issues that could lead to a disqualification. You don't see interference much in road races. It's mostly a problem on the track where runners get boxed in. Assistance refers to a situation where one runner does something illegal to help another runner. Mostly I'll be watching the water tables closely. A runner isn't allowed to assist another runner by getting his water bottle for him. If that happens, both runners could get disqualified. You are allowed to share fluids with another runner, but you can't fetch two bottles at a table, and bring one of the bottles to someone else.
How about a situation where one runner pulls a gel pack out of his shorts in mid-race and hands it to another? AS: I don't know why that would happen. These runners aren't out there to help other runners. They're trying to beat the others and make an Olympic team themselves. But if this did happen, it would be a clear case of assistance, particularly since the gel didn't come from an official station.
Maybe it could happen among teammates or training partners. If you get a protest after the race, and someone argues, "Hey, they're on the same team," would that influence your decision? AS: No, the decision would be based on the activity we see during the race. If we need to review TV tapes, we have those at our disposal to view.
The runners can't take bottles or gels or anything from spectators or friends or coaches along the course, right? AS: That's right. Those behaviors are not permitted.
Some of these assistance rules seem very close to gray areas, especially the fluid-sharing rule. Does that bother you? AS: No. We're dealing with a small group of professional athletes here. They've run many big prize-money races before, they're well-informed, and they understand the rules. Also, they or their representatives will attend the technical meeting where all this will be discussed in detail.
Are you in charge of that meeting? AS: No, I'm just one of the speakers. The meeting will be organized by the elite-athlete coordinators, who explain the rules about not mutilating the competition number, and the rules about advertising on the race uniform, and how the starts will take place, and various other procedures.
What will you talk about? AS: Pretty much the things we've been discussing. The rules regarding fluid stations, assistance on the course, and interference of other runners. Also, if a runner is flagged down by medical staff requesting a checkup, they must stop. If they don't stop, they're disqualified.
Do you have any concerns about pacing? For example, what if it's a windy day and one runner consistently runs in front of a teammate on windy parts of the course? AS: There's no specific rule about that kind of assistance. I don't expect a protest of that kind.
What are the rules regarding the timing of a protest? AS: The athletes or their delegates have 30 minutes to file an oral or written protest to me after the official results have been posted, which should be just a couple of minutes after the finish. I'll make a decision, and if they don't like my decision, they have 30 minutes to file a written protest with the Jury of Appeals. I'm not a member of the Jury. It's an odd-numbered group, probably three people, who will make the final decision.
This seems like a lot of responsibility given the intensity of Olympic Trials competitions. Are you worried about infractions on Marathon Trials day? AS: No, I'm not worried about the Trials. The athletes today are real professionals who know what they can do and can not do. I feel lucky to be out there enjoying the best seat in the house.
Advertisement - Continue Reading Below
More From Races & Places