Runners Take Back Seat to Dignitary
In one of the confusing incidents that occurred during Sunday’s Pepsi/San Diego International Triathlon, some of the race’s competitors were left stranded for four minutes.
A motorcade for Argentine President Raul Alfonsin--who is staying at a hotel in Harbor Island--crossed the race course during the 10-kilometer run, trapping about 35 runners. Two runners tried to cross the barricade set up by police and were tackled by officers.
A spokesman for the police department said the runners thought the officers were part of the race control team.
“It’s miscommunication in the planning stages,” the spokesman said. “Presidential protection takes full precedence.”
None of the race leaders were involved in the incident.
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