Advantage Quote by Don Kardong
“If an athlete takes a shortcut - literally, for example, by running a street that shortens the marathon route by a quarter mile - he or she doesn't have an insurmountable advantage. But it's an unfair advantage, and in a field of equally matched athletes, it's more than enough to make a difference.”
About This Quote
Source Interview: Runner's World, 1995 (discussion on marathon ethics)
Cheating, even minor, undermines fairness; a small shortcut can significantly affect outcomes in tightly contested events.
In simple terms: Even a tiny cheat can change a race result.
Key Takeaway
Maintain integrity and follow rules.
Themes
fairness
integrity
competition
ethics
sportsmanship
Mood
concerned
reflective
Type
advice
analytical
When to use this quote
- marathon planning
- coach training
- athlete preparation
- event officiating
Key Concepts
rule enforcement
psychology of cheating
performance impact
Questions to Reflect On
- What motivates athletes to cheat?
- How can organizers detect and prevent minor shortcuts?
A Different Perspective
Enforcing rules can be difficult, and detection may be limited.
![“Next came the Patent laws. These began in England in 1624; and, in this country, with the adoption of our constitution. Before then [these?], any man might instantly use what another had invented; so that the inventor had no special advantage from his own invention. The patent system changed this…” quote by Abraham Lincoln](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/449/abraham-lincoln-88_adoption_next-came-the-patent-laws-these-began-in_1828.jpg)
