Courtesy: USAT

USA Triathlon has filed suit in San Francisco Superior Court against two men involved in the selling of a race entry to the Escape from Alcatraz Triathlon in San Francisco.

Earlier this year, Dakin Ferris of San Francisco, a member of USA Triathlon, sold his entry into the sold-out June 16 race, organized by Tri-California Events, Inc., to Charles Martin, who is not a member. Martin competed and, during the bike portion of the event, was hit by a car driven illegally onto the racecourse. Tri-California staff later discovered Martin had not registered for the race under his own name and that he had used Ferris' identification to enter.

"This case provides a perfect example of why the selling of race entries is against USA Triathlon rules," said USA Triathlon Executive Director Steve Locke. "Because Charles Martin is not an annual member of USA Triathlon, and did not register for the race under his own name and purchase a one-day membership, his injuries were not covered by our insurance policy."

Martin went on to sue both the driver and Tri-California Events, Inc., which is insured through USA Triathlon.

As multi-sport events become more popular and sell out more quickly, Locke worries about more race bandits - the slang term for someone who buys or sells race entries - and more lawsuits. It is getting harder to find companies willing to insure multi- sport events.

"Lawsuits like this could put our sport out of business," Locke said. "That's why we must work to keep people from buying and selling race entries, and reprimand those who do."

Both men are being sued for intentional misrepresentation, negligent misrepresentation, contractual indemnity and declaratory relief. Ferris is also being sued for breach of third party beneficiary contract for selling the race entry. The amount of the suit is undetermined.