Paid entries into Ottawa Race Weekend often have to contend with illegal runners who enter the race while unregistered. CBC

Organizers at Ottawa Race Weekend are worried "race bandits" who run in long-distance events will put their own health at risk this weekend.

Bandits are runners who join the 5K, 10K, half-marathon or marathon even though they are not registered in the event.

The race just to get a bib for the running events is very competitive and bandits buy a bib or trade another bib to get into the race they want, or simply run the race without a bib.

One local running coach said more "bandit" runners look to join the throngs of racers each year.

"It's just wrong. You didn't pay the entry fee so you shouldn't get to go in," said Rick Hellard.

Rogue runners more difficult to help

The move is risky, too, Hellard added. The runners don't wear registered bibs, which include identification and medical information for 40,000 runners. If a "race bandit" collapses or can't finish, it takes longer to help that person.

"Somebody did actually have a problem," Hellard remembered. "They fell down and hurt themselves and they were not officially entered in the event. So the race organizers and medical staff were running around trying to find out who this person was."

Some runners admitted they would attempt to race as a bandit this weekend but organizers warn they would be extra vigilant this year to stop them from illegally joining the race.