A Scottish runner has been stripped of third place in an ultra-marathon after data showed he used a vehicle for part of the route, the race director said.
Data from the tracking system at the 2023 GB Ultras Manchester to Liverpool 80km race on 7 April showed that Josias Zakrzewski, who represented Scotland in the marathon at the 2014 Commonwealth Games in Glasgow, used a car for the 4km portion of the race. was used. BBC reported.
Race director Wayne Drinkwater said he had received information that a runner had gained a “competitive advantage during one part of the event”.
He told the BBC: “After reviewing data from our race tracking system, GPX data, statements provided by our event team, other competitors and the participant himself, we can confirm that a runner is now disqualified from the event for carrying a vehicle has been declared. Transport during part of the route.”
Discrepancy noticed after athlete ‘ran’ a mile in less than two minutes
According to the BBC, GPX data showed that the athlete completed one mile of the race in just one minute and 40 seconds and is believed to have used the car for a total of 2.5 miles. The current world record for the one mile run is three minutes and 43 seconds.
Zakrzewski has not commented publicly on the incident and Reuters was not immediately able to contact him for comment.
The BBC quoted a running friend of Zakrzewski as saying that she felt ill and wanted to pass out after arriving from Australia the night before the race.
Adrian Stott said, “He has co-operated fully with the race organisers’ investigation, giving a full account of what happened.”
“She really does feel sorry for any trouble.”
Jerusalem Post staff contributed to this report.