The runner who holds the records used a car in the race.
There was cheating in the ultra running race. Illustration picture. ZUMAwire/MVphotos
Scottish runner Joasia Zakrzewski47, was caught in a brazen scam.
Two weeks ago, Zakrzewski took part in the 50-mile or 80-kilometer race from Manchester to Liverpool. The runner was disqualified when the GPS data revealed that he had covered about four kilometers of the journey by car.
The hoax was discovered when other runners started looking at Zakrzewski’s race data on the running website Strava.
Zakrzewski commented to Scotland’s BBC that he meant no harm by his behavior. The runner said he got into his friend’s car because his ankle started to hurt. The purpose was to inform the administrators about the suspension.
– After I got to the meeting place, I told them that I was interrupting and that I had been in the car. They said I would hate myself if I quit, Zakrzewski explained According to the Guardian.
– I decided to continue in a non-competitive sense. I made sure not to pass the runner in front so as not to disturb his race, he continued.
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Zakrzewski was third in the race. He posed with the award he received and posted a picture of both the vertical and the competition route on his Twitter account.
The runner explained his actions with time difference stress. He had flown from Australia to England the night before the race.
– I made a massive mistake when I accepted the award. I should have given it back. I was tired, suffering from jet lag and feeling sick. I wasn’t thinking clearly.
“I am an idiot”
Zakrzewski’s actions angered social media. It has even been demanded that he be banned from competition for life.
The runner regrets not telling the officials that he finished the race. After Zakrzewski’s discus, the third came Mel Sykes.
– I’m an idiot and I want to apologize to Mel. It wasn’t about malice, it was about a communication breakdown. I would never intentionally cheat.
According to the Guardian, Zakrzewski may not be punished for his actions because he no longer competes at the top level. The British and Scottish athletics federations are considering whose responsibility it would be to punish.
According to the information, the runner has helped the investigators in the case.
Zakrzewski holds the 100 and 200 mile British records.