In the latest unraveling of athletic events, a 47-year-old female ultramarathon runner from Scotland, Joasia Zakrzewski, has been disqualified from a race from Manchester to Liverpool after finishing the race by car.
Joasia had in fact completed the race and came in third. However, mapping data has revealed that the runner used a car to get to the finish line after data shows that she covered a mile in less than two minutes. Speedy Gonzales, or did she hop into a Kia?
Wayne Drinkwater, director of the GB Ultras race, tells the BBC:
“Having reviewed the data from our race tracking system, GPX data, statements provided from our event team, other competitors and from the participant herself, we can confirm that a runner has now been disqualified from the event having taken vehicle transport during part of the route.”
A new runner has since been given rank of third place, and a friend of Joasia’s has told the BBC that she is “genuinely sorry” and that Joasia had been feeling unwell during the last leg of the race, and wanted to cut the race short.
“The race didn’t go to plan. She said she was feeling sick and tired on the race and wanted to drop out.”
Joasia has since cooperated with organisers of the race investigating the case, and has provided a full account of what happened.
Joasia is no rookie when it comes to ultramarathons. In 2014, she came in at 14th in the 2014 Commonwealth Games marathon in Scotland, and has set several records in ultra-marathon running. Could she face a lifetime ban on competing, even if she has provided a full account?
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Feature Image: Alamy
