• Home
  • News
  • Entertainment
  • LAD Originals

To make sure you never miss out on your favourite NEW stories, we're happy to send you some reminders

Click 'OK' then 'Allow' to enable notifications

Not now
OK
Advert
Advert
Advert

Mexico Marathon disqualifies 11,000 out of 30,000 runners for cheating

Ella Scott

Published 
| Last updated 

Mexico Marathon disqualifies 11,000 out of 30,000 runners for cheating

Mexico Marathon organisers have reportedly disqualified up to 11,000 participants on the grounds that they allegedly cheated during the race.

On August 27, over 30,000 fitness fanatics lined up in Mexico City to run the 41.195-kilometre marathon on its 40th anniversary.

However, following the conclusion of the event, the Mexico City Sports Institute has since announced that they are launching an investigation into the race.

Loading…

Advert

It’s alleged that thousands of runners’ electronic trackers reportedly revealed that participants had been skipping through checkpoints.

This meant that a plethora of racers had not completed the full 26.22-mile course and were thus accused of cheating.

In a statement, organisers of the Mexico Marathon said: "The Mexico City Sports Institute informs that it will proceed to identify those cases in which participants of the XL Mexico City Marathon Telcel 2023 have demonstrated an unsportsmanlike attitude during the event and will invalidate their registration times."

The statement continued: "This great event not only represents an outstanding celebration for all the inhabitants of the capital, but also an occasion to reaffirm the transcendental values of sport."

Advert
An investigation has been opened after thousands of marathon runners allegedly cheated their way to a finishers medal. Credit: Pixabay
An investigation has been opened after thousands of marathon runners allegedly cheated their way to a finishers medal. Credit: Pixabay

According to sports publication Marca, checkpoints were situated every five kilometres of the race to ensure that finishers would not be able to cut any distance.

As well as collecting data from the electronic trackers, it’s stated that organisers received anonymous complaints regarding some participants using vehicles and public transport to get ahead.

As the Mexico Marathon holds gold accreditation from World Athletics, the organisers are strict when it comes to cheaters and have reportedly disqualified participants before.

Advert
Anonymous complaints apparently stated that participants were using public transport to cut distance. Credit: Pixabay
Anonymous complaints apparently stated that participants were using public transport to cut distance. Credit: Pixabay

In 2017, 6,000 runners were denied their finishers medals after a reported 20 per cent of participants failed to complete the full course.

The same issue arose in 2018 when the running race was forced to wipe out the results of over 3,000 recreational runners.

However, it wasn’t doom and gloom for everyone at the 40th edition of the Mexico Marathon.

Advert

Celestine Chepchir placed first on the women’s podium with a time of two hours, 27 minutes and 17 seconds.

In the men’s race, 35-year-old Héctor Garibay Flores came out on top with a race time of two hours, eight minutes and 23 seconds.

Loading…

Not only did the Bolivian walk away with $32,814 (£27,9700) and a Garmin watch, but he also smashed the record for the fastest Mexican Marathon time.

Advert

The time to beat was Titus Ekire’s 2018 effort, which saw the Kenyan completing the course in two hours, ten minutes and 38 seconds.

Speaking about his win, Garibay Flores said: “I’m very happy because I only came [to Mexico] to get a podium.

“We are very short of money, but the truth is [finishing in the top 3 is what’s] important for me.”

Featured Image Credit: Hector Vivas via Getty

Topics: Health, Marathon, World News, Sport

Ella Scott
More like this
Advert
Advert
Advert

Chosen for YouChosen for You

News

Pool player hits a 'one in 10 million' shot which may be the unluckiest of all time

2 hours ago

Most Read StoriesMost Read

Fish and a Rice Cake guy has recreated his viral meme 17 years later

7 hours ago