Green Bay Marathon reinstates runner disqualified for iPod

Cellcom Green Bay Marathon officials reinstated Kelly McClure as the 5th place finisher in the race on Sunday, and awarded her the $500 cash prize.

McClure, from Iron Mountain, Mich., had been disqualified for turning to her iPod during a tough stretch of the race into the wind.

After a formal appeal to the official on Monday morning, the decision was reversed.

According to the race officials,the rule that formerly prohibited the use of mp3 players and similar electronic devices for anyone accepting prize money was repealed in 2009. It is now up to the individual race organizers to decide on the policy regarding use of these devices in their particular event.

The 2011 Cellcom Green Bay Marathon event guide explicitly permits use the electronic devices.

The disqualification controversy and news that runners were misdirected and added an extra 800 feet to their journey on Sunday has detracted a bit from the 12th annual marathon.

The marathon and the spectators, however, received kudos in this piece by Adam Mertz, sports editor of the Capital Times and a runner who finished the half-marathon on Sunday.

He rated the support for the marathon in Green Bay far superior to the turnout for the Madison Marathon.

Mertz wrote: "...Green Bay embraces its race almost as if it were a Packers game, and not just because of the climactic jaunt through Lambeau Field or the post-race festivities in the stadium's parking lot.

"Yes, the Madison Marathon occurs on a weekend when many people head out of town, and the Mini on one of the last weekends before school starts, when people are squeezing in the last few items on their summer bucket lists.

"And yes, we're a pretty independent bunch, favoring personal and countercultural expression as examples of civic pride over mass gatherings that don't include politics, music, fireworks or the Badgers.

"But just once, it'd be exciting to see a show of support for marathoners in Madison like the one that Green Bay stages each May. Know that in doing so, you'll leave an indelible impression. And if Sunday is any indication, you'll get a kick out of it, too."