Unfortunately, what should be and what is are two quite different things.

Most of the odd runs I've come across exist because the customer wants the computer or device where it is, but doesn't want to go to the expense of having a new drop pulled. So they bought a 50-footer and ran it from the switch port, up into the ceiling, and down to the device; as long as the device doesn't move more than four or five inches in any direction, it works just fine...for them.