I Don't Know Running

Why Do Normal Runners Cheat? (It’s Not What You Think) | Episode 203

Lewis Hayden and Mitch Brouwer Season 5 Episode 203

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0:00 | 29:44

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Why would an everyday runner cheat in a race?

Not elites.
Not professionals.

Just… normal people.

In this episode, we take a look at the strange and surprisingly relatable psychology behind cheating in running—from cutting courses and bib swapping to chasing Strava validation and Boston qualifiers.

This isn’t just about the stories.

It’s about the why.

Because at some level, most runners have faced the same question:

What matters more… finishing fast, or finishing honestly?



We also talk through:

• The infamous Rosie Ruiz Boston Marathon scandal
• The “porta potty time machine” ultra cheat
• Why social media may be fueling bad decisions
• How runners actually get caught today
• And what cheating really takes away from others



At the end of the day, the real finish line might not be the tape…

It might be who you choose to be when no one’s watching.



💬 Let us know:

Have you ever been tempted to cut a corner?



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Real conversations about running—what works, what doesn’t, and everything in between.



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