Marathon Runner Banned For Using Car In Race
I accept my actions on the day that I did travel in a car, Marathoner Joasia Zakrzewski said/Image Courtesy
Joasia Zakrzewski, a prominent Scottish ultra-marathon runner, has been handed a 12-month ban by UK Athletics (UKA) following an investigation into her actions during an 80-kilometer race in April.
The 47-year-old athlete admitted to accepting a ride in a friend’s car during the race, securing a third-place finish.
Her acceptance of a medal and trophy for this position triggered the disciplinary action by UKA.
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In a statement submitted to UKA’s independent disciplinary panel, Zakrzewski acknowledged her mistake, stating, “I accept my actions on the day that I did travel in a car and then later completed the run, crossing the finish line and inappropriately receiving a medal and trophy, which I did not return immediately as I should have done.”
“The claimant had collected the trophy at the end of the race, something which she should have not done if she was completing the race on a non-competitive basis,” emphasized the disciplinary panel.
They also highlighted her conflicting statements about informing the marshals of her car ride, with the panel finding inconsistencies in her account.
Even considering her claim of “brain fog” due to recent travel from Australia, the panel noted that Zakrzewski had a week to rectify her actions but failed to do so.
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As a consequence, she has been banned from participating in competitive events in the U.K. and representing Great Britain locally and overseas for a year.
The controversy unfolded after Zakrzewski’s inappropriate claim of third place in the GB Ultras Manchester to Liverpool race, where it was discovered that she covered approximately 2.5 miles of the 50-mile race in a car, citing being lost and injured halfway through the course.
Despite saying that her actions were not intentional cheating, Zakrzewski now faces consequences that extend beyond her ban, impacting her reputation as a renowned ultra-runner.
Notably, she set a world record in February, running 255.668 miles in 48 hours, and has contributed to international sporting events as a team manager for Great Britain.
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