A marathon runner was banned from collaborating within the race after using in a automotive throughout the race

UK Athletics has banned a marathon runner from racing for 12 months after she admitted using a automotive throughout a race earlier this 12 months.

Joasia Zakrzewski, 47, admitted to using within the automotive Throughout a part of the Manchester-Liverpool Extremely match on April 7, According to the disciplinary committee decision document from UK Athletics. The choice doc dated October 9, 2023 said that Zakrzewski didn’t adjust to the UK’s disciplinary code of conduct for senior athletes.

The Fee banned Zakrzewski from collaborating in any UKA sanctioned races and from representing Nice Britain in any occasions for a 12 months. It additionally prevented her from coaching, managing or administering for a similar time period.

Zakrozeski stated she was not in the best mindset on the day of the 50-mile race, which prompted her to behave inappropriately and obtain a third-place trophy, in response to the choice doc.

“As said, I settle for my actions on the day I drove the automotive and subsequently accomplished the race, crossed the end line and improperly obtained a medal and trophy, which I didn’t instantly return as I ought to have performed.” Zakrozeski wrote in a letter dated September 28 to the UKA panel overseeing her case.

Zakrzewski didn’t admit to breaching the UK’s code of conduct as a result of, she stated, she by no means tried to cowl up what she had performed.

In a June 8 interview, which was detailed within the determination doc, Zakrozeski stated she informed marshals she was in her buddy’s automotive, and when she was inspired to complete the race, she stated she would accomplish that non-competitively.

Occasion organizers disputed that account, saying she informed them she was injured and mentioned withdrawing from the race, however they had been inspired to proceed, in response to the choice. Marshalls stated she determined to proceed competing, in response to the choice.

The guards additionally stated she by no means informed them she had gotten right into a automotive, in response to the choice.

Zakrzewski didn’t absolutely acknowledge what she had performed till she was pressured by the race organizer, in response to the doc. She stated she felt embarrassed however “selected to not disclose what occurred reasonably than embarrass herself,” in response to the choice.

She additionally posted on social media concerning the race with out mentioning that she ran it noncompetitively, in response to the doc.

Zakrozeski maintained that she by no means hid the truth that she had taken a automotive and it was not her intention to cheat, however the UK rejected her argument.

“Even when she had suffered from mind fog on race day, she would have had per week after the race to understand her actions and return the trophy, which she didn’t do,” UK wrote in its determination.

Zakrzewski stated BBC Scotland In April she was feeling unwell when she crossed the end line and made a “enormous mistake” in accepting the trophy. She stated she wished to apologize to Mel Sykes, who later positioned third, for what she stated “wasn’t malicious, it was a misunderstanding.”

She informed the BBC: “I might by no means deliberately cheat, and this was not a focused race, however I do not need to make excuses.”

Zakrzewski Setting a world record In February of this 12 months once I ran 255.6 miles in 48 hours on the Taipei Ultramarathon. the The record was later broken in March.