Lites meaning they would not deny another runner of some tangible benefit, such as a cash prize or medal, by raising an allegation of doping. Further, many interviewees noted that if a non-elite runner were to use PEDs it would not matter as much since most non-elites do not receive any finishing prize, or if they do it is a prize given to all finishers, such as a general finishers’ medal. Almost all the interviewees were loathe to admit they would dope or use PEDs, but several readily admitted they would be willing to use “something” they knew was banned in extreme circumstances. A runner of five years, 56-year-old Chris admitted: I have a friend who has been injured for a long time and they are testing a new system. They take blood and do something and put it back. Would I do that? Probably. If I could never run again. Sure … If I was in a circumstance where a doctor said you will never run again, I don’t know what I would do.NIH-PA Author Manuscript NIH-PA Author Manuscript NIH-PA Author ManuscriptSurveill Soc. Author manuscript; available in PMC 2014 November 04.HenningPageChris did not view himself or his friend as morally bad people or cheaters, though earlier in our conversation he was clear on his view of elites who were “caught cheating” by using banned Acadesine site substances to race: “It would not be the right way, it would be cheating. It is cheating. ML390 web taking an enhancement drug, it is cheating.” However, being caught cheating in this context entails testing positive for PEDs during an anti-doping test, which Chris is never likely to take. Chris’ view is consistent with the other interviewees’, who generally saw doping as determined through biological tests, and therefore a problem only at the elite level. Since elites are the only group subject to anti-doping surveillance, it follows that they are the only group within running that can definitively be labeled “dopers.” However, this view is limited by non-elites understandings of doping regulations. The next section shows how the interviewees’ understandings of what is encompassed under anti-doping regulations remains limited to only a few widely known substances. (Mis)Understanding Doping Most interviewees in this study were ignorant of the majority of anti-doping regulations or of the extensive list of substances that are prohibited from competition. In general, interviewees thought doping was limited to the substances and methods most commonly detected and reported upon when elite athletes have tested positive for PEDs: anabolic steroids, Erythropoietin or EPO, blood doping involving banking ones own blood, and human growth hormone or HGH. Many reported they were unclear on the written content of anti-doping regulations and relied on media and news accounts of elite or professional athletes in all sports for information on what constitutes doping. Most interviewees were unable to elaborate how PEDs could be harmful to one’s health. However, all but one interviewee reported intentionally avoiding PEDs and anything they understood as doping. Stan, a 40-year-old nutrition student and a regional 5-kilometer champion, thought doping included: “Shooting some chemicals in your blood, or giving your blood more oxygen. I think they’re taking blood out and then shooting chemicals into in to give it more oxygen.” Chris offered some examples of what he viewed as doping: “Taking HGH for example. Doing testosterone injections, I consider doping. Or an artificial product that would be an enhanceme.Lites meaning they would not deny another runner of some tangible benefit, such as a cash prize or medal, by raising an allegation of doping. Further, many interviewees noted that if a non-elite runner were to use PEDs it would not matter as much since most non-elites do not receive any finishing prize, or if they do it is a prize given to all finishers, such as a general finishers’ medal. Almost all the interviewees were loathe to admit they would dope or use PEDs, but several readily admitted they would be willing to use “something” they knew was banned in extreme circumstances. A runner of five years, 56-year-old Chris admitted: I have a friend who has been injured for a long time and they are testing a new system. They take blood and do something and put it back. Would I do that? Probably. If I could never run again. Sure … If I was in a circumstance where a doctor said you will never run again, I don’t know what I would do.NIH-PA Author Manuscript NIH-PA Author Manuscript NIH-PA Author ManuscriptSurveill Soc. Author manuscript; available in PMC 2014 November 04.HenningPageChris did not view himself or his friend as morally bad people or cheaters, though earlier in our conversation he was clear on his view of elites who were “caught cheating” by using banned substances to race: “It would not be the right way, it would be cheating. It is cheating. Taking an enhancement drug, it is cheating.” However, being caught cheating in this context entails testing positive for PEDs during an anti-doping test, which Chris is never likely to take. Chris’ view is consistent with the other interviewees’, who generally saw doping as determined through biological tests, and therefore a problem only at the elite level. Since elites are the only group subject to anti-doping surveillance, it follows that they are the only group within running that can definitively be labeled “dopers.” However, this view is limited by non-elites understandings of doping regulations. The next section shows how the interviewees’ understandings of what is encompassed under anti-doping regulations remains limited to only a few widely known substances. (Mis)Understanding Doping Most interviewees in this study were ignorant of the majority of anti-doping regulations or of the extensive list of substances that are prohibited from competition. In general, interviewees thought doping was limited to the substances and methods most commonly detected and reported upon when elite athletes have tested positive for PEDs: anabolic steroids, Erythropoietin or EPO, blood doping involving banking ones own blood, and human growth hormone or HGH. Many reported they were unclear on the written content of anti-doping regulations and relied on media and news accounts of elite or professional athletes in all sports for information on what constitutes doping. Most interviewees were unable to elaborate how PEDs could be harmful to one’s health. However, all but one interviewee reported intentionally avoiding PEDs and anything they understood as doping. Stan, a 40-year-old nutrition student and a regional 5-kilometer champion, thought doping included: “Shooting some chemicals in your blood, or giving your blood more oxygen. I think they’re taking blood out and then shooting chemicals into in to give it more oxygen.” Chris offered some examples of what he viewed as doping: “Taking HGH for example. Doing testosterone injections, I consider doping. Or an artificial product that would be an enhanceme.
