An arbiting first for me

 One of the strangest rules in the Laws of Chess is 

"A.5.4    If the arbiter observes both kings are in check, or a pawn stands on the rank furthest from its starting position, he/she shall wait until the next move is completed. Then, if an illegal position is still on the board, he/she shall declare the game drawn."

This applies to Rapid and Blitz games (without adequate supervision). I have always thought it a silly rule, even when I was at the meeting where the rule was drafted.

However at todays ACT Junior Chess League Lightning Championship I enforced this rule for the very first time. I was wandering past one of the top board games, and both players were engaged in a pawn race in an ending. At some point previously (I assume), one of the players had moved his king out of the way of his rook pawn to let it run. But in doing so he had moved it next to the opponents king. But the opponent was so intent on pushing his own pawn, he did not claim (or even notice), and I witnessed both players play not 1 but 2 pawn moves before I stepped in. Informing of the rule (and convinced that neither would have taken action until after they had both promoted), I explained the rile to them, and declared the game a draw. 

Afterwards I kind of realised why the law kind of makes sense, although I'm still not convinced it is necessary. My decision in this specific case was probably influenced by 2 factors. Firstly, the position was materially even, and the pawn race was unlikely to change that. Secondly, if I did not take action now, the position would have been more chaotic later (and someone was going to come off worse).