853 Runners Were Disqualified From This Road Race. Many Broke the Same Starting-Line Rule.

Your race bib can tell organizers a lot more than how quickly you finished. At Spain's 61st edition of Behobia–San Sebastián, it also helped them figure out whether you started when you were supposed to. As it turns out, getting a little too eager at the starting line can be enough to cost you an official result.Organizers confirmed that 853 participants were disqualified from the November 8 event, a popular 20K race that attracted 27,172 runners this year. According to Spanish outlets Mundo Deportivo and 3Cat, starting in an earlier wave than assigned was a major reason behind the unusually high number.The race sorts participants into groups based on their previous performances, with staggered start times designed to help manage the crowds. Runners can move back to a later wave if they wish, but jumping ahead to an earlier one is grounds for disqualification. It's a rule that should sound familiar to anyone who's run a race with NYRR, as they follow the same policy and warn that moving into a faster wave or corral can cost runners their results.With thousands of people lining up, slipping into an earlier group can go unnoticed, but timing chips attached to race bibs allow organizers to track when participants cross the starting line and other checkpoints along the course.Other violations, including using another runner's bib without an authorized transfer, are against the rules and can also result in disqualification. However, organizers haven't provided explanations for every case, making it unclear how many involved starting-wave violations.According to figures released by organizers, 29,301 people registered for the event, and 26,947 crossed the 12.4-mile course’s finish line in San Sebastián. Of those who completed the race, a little more than 3 percent were disqualified.While it sounds like a lot, 853 is actually an improvement compared to previous years. In 2023, a whopping 1,327 runners were disqualified, followed by 958 in 2024 and 918 last year. So the numbers are heading in the right direction, although there's clearly still some confusion—or disregard—when it comes to following the pre-start rules.Runner’s World has contacted race organizers for details about the disqualifications, including whether affected participants have an opportunity to appeal.Find Your Next Running PlaylistSean Abrams was the Senior Editor, Growth and Engagement at Men’s Health. He’s a former hip hop dancer who likes long walks on the beach and large glasses of tequila. You can find his previous work at Maxim, Elite Daily, and AskMen.