Last Sunday, a Beach 2 Basin entrant won a trip to Fiji in a spot prize draw.
However, whilst she entered the Whangarei race, she chose to not take part on the day, but still placed her race number in a bin, for the prize draw.
Because of the wet weather, organisers Sport Northland drew the spot prizes indoors and winners were announced via radio, Facebook and emails.
Sport Northland's brief Beach 2 Basin prize rules contain the word "participant" - which dictionaries define as a person who takes part in something.
Entrants who finished the race say that to qualify for a prize, you should take part.