Race organisers deny 'cheating' ultrarunner told them she had pulled out of competition before she accepted lift

Race organisers deny ‘cheating’ ultrarunner told them she had pulled out of competition before she accepted lift

Apr 19, 2023

Race organisers have denied claims an ultrarunner who was disqualified for using a car had told officials she was pulling out due to illness.

Dr Joasia Zakrzewski, a record-breaking athlete, finished third in the 2023 GB Ultras Manchester to Liverpool 50-mile race earlier this month.

However, thanks to data uploaded to Strava, a running and cycling app, it was later discovered she had used a car for a 2.5 mile stretch of the race.

In an interview with BBC Scotland she insisted she accepted a lift from a friend to the next checkpoint after picking up a leg injury.

She said: “When I got to the checkpoint I told them I was pulling out and that I had been in the car…”

Dr Zakrzewski added that after a discussion, she decided to carry on in a “non-competitive way”.

“I made sure I didn’t overtake the runner in front when I saw her as I didn’t want to interfere with her race,” she said.

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However, race director Wayne Drinkwater said in a statement: “To re-affirm, none of our event team in question, with written statements to confirm this, were aware that Joasia had vehicle transport at any time during the race until we received information after the race from another competitor.

“If we had been made aware during the race, disqualification from the race would have been immediate at that point.”

Despite saying she had pulled out of the race, Dr Zakrzewski went on to collect the third place trophy.

‘I would never purposefully cheat…’

On this she told the BBC Scotland: “I made a massive error accepting the trophy and should have handed it back. I was tired and jetlagged and felt sick.

“It wasn’t malicious, it was miscommunication. I would never purposefully cheat and this was not a target race, but I don’t want to make excuses.”

The 47-year-old has been stripped of the result, with the case referred to UK Athletics.

Third place was handed to Mel Sykes, who tweeted about the incident, saying: “The sad thing in all this is that it completely takes the p*** out of the race organisers, fellow competitors and fair sport.

“How can someone who knows they have cheated cross a finish line, collect a medal/trophy and have their photos taken?!”

Sky News has contacted Dr Zakrzewski for further comment.

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