For months, Cassie Peller had been training for the Lakefront Marathon in Milwaukee, and in one moment, all of the hard work amounted to nothing.

Peller, a 2004 Chesterton graduate, was the first woman to cross the finish line on Sunday in 3:02.09, but she was disqualified for accepting a drink of water near the 20-mile marker from a friend she came across along the route.

USA Track and Field rules stipulate that a runner is not allowed to receive water or other assistance outside an established aid station on the course.

"I saw a friend of mine and it wasn't planned," Peller said. "She asked if I wanted some water. I said sure and I took a sip. A race official saw that and I was disqualified."

Peller wasn't aware of her disqualification until several hours after the race. Upon crossing the finish line, Peller received a hug from race director Kristine Hinrichs. As the 2008 Marquette University graduate went home to shower, Hinrichs made the decision to disqualify Peller.

Messages left with Hinrichs at the Lakefront Marathon office were not returned on Monday.

"I came back from the awards ceremony and they told me that I was disqualified," Peller said. "I had no clue (about the rule). It's my fault for not reading the rules, but really, they're going to disqualify me for that?"

Peller finished 44 seconds in front of Jennifer Goebel, who was named the winner. Because of the disqualification, Peller had to return the $500 in prize money she won, money that she was planning on using for her upcoming wedding.

Peller wrote an official complaint letter on Sunday night that was presented to Hinrichs. The Lakefront Marathon officials convened and upheld their decision to disqualify Peller.

"It is frustrating and it's not even about the money," Peller said. "There is no official record that I ran the race. I can't even walk today and just because of a sip of water that didn't make that big of a difference. I trained very hard for this race and it's frustrating."

After her complaint was disregarded, Peller plans to drop the issue and already has decided that she won't be running in the Lakefront Marathon again.

"Probably not, and I have some friends who told me they won't do it either," Peller said.

RUNNING