Race organisers have denied claims an ultrarunner who was disqualified for utilizing a automobile had instructed officers she was pulling out as a consequence of sickness.
Dr Joasia Zakrzewski, a record-breaking athlete, completed third within the 2023 GB Ultras Manchester to Liverpool 50-mile race earlier this month.
However, because of knowledge uploaded to Strava, a working and biking app, it was later found she had used a automobile for a 2.5 mile stretch of the race.
In an interview with BBC Scotland she insisted she accepted a elevate from a pal to the following checkpoint after selecting up a leg damage.
She stated: “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 dialogue, she determined to hold 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 stated.
However, race director Wayne Drinkwater stated in an announcement: “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 conscious in the course of the race, disqualification from the race would have been speedy at that time.”
Despite saying she had pulled out of the race, Dr Zakrzewski went on to gather the third place trophy.
‘I might by no means purposefully cheat…’
On this she instructed 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 might by no means purposefully cheat and this was not a goal race, however I do not wish 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 unhappy factor in all that is that it utterly takes the p*** out of the race organisers, fellow opponents and honest 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 additional remark.
Source: information.sky.com”