Splits, Sleuths, and the Scrutiny of Speed

In the world of distance running, the race doesn’t always end at the finish line—sometimes, it begins in the data. In this episode, we uncover the strange, growing battlefield of amateur race cheating, from classic course-cutting to the digital deceptions of the smartwatch era. As “runfluencers” chase online clout and potential sponsorships, a new class of self-appointed detectives—armed with split-time math, GPS sleuthing, and photo forensics—are exposing runners who didn’t quite run the miles they claim. With talk of AI facial recognition entering the sport and public accusations carrying real-world consequences, we ask: how did recreational racing become a high-stakes arena for fraud, fame, and digital vigilantism?https://www.economist.com/culture/2024/03/22/why-cheat-in-marathons