Man, 81, finishes race after borrowing a catheter

[October 09, 2009]  MINNEAPOLIS (AP) -- Organizers of the Twin Cities Marathon said they won't disqualify an 81-year-old runner who won his age group after using a borrowed catheter.

Jerry Johncock of Shelbyville, Mich., was sidelined at an aid station about 21 miles into Sunday's race because a blood clot prevented him from urinating. The aid station had no catheter, but a spectator stepped forward to offer Johncock a catheter he had in his car.

Aides helped insert the catheter and Johncock went on to finish in a little over 5 hours, 22 minutes.

Race officials considered disqualifying Johncock because of a rule against improper assistance. But executive director Virginia Brophy Achman said they decided Johncock didn't break the rule.

She called Johncock "a great role model and example of what you can do as a runner."

Johncock's wife, Dorlene, said her husband was cheered by the ruling. She said he found the whole situation a little humorous.

[Associated Press]

Copyright 2009 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.