A runner who pretended to be his pal in a 33-mile ultra-marathon won an impressive third place - only to blow his cover on Facebook .
Last Saturday dozens of committed runners readied themselves for the gruelling race through the Aberdeenshire countryside.
In their midst was supposed to be Paddy Patterson, who passed over his bib to friend Neil Kennedy when he found himself unable to run.
The substitution may have gone unnoticed were it not for Kennedy's impressive performance.
Kennedy finished the race in four hours, 29 minutes and 17 seconds - quick enough to earn him third place.
Cash-strapped single mum makes £10k by charging rich married men for dates
Unfortunately for the 45-year-old, who is too young to be running in a veteran's race, he scuppered his own victory lap with a jokey post on Facebook.
Kennedy wrote on the Running Friends Scotland page: "The weeks ago you asked me to do the D33 ultra in your place. You couldn't do it.
"I said 'OK'. So I signed in as Paddy with my good Irish accent (I am Scottish, Paddy is obviously Irish).
"Did the run in crap conditions. Got my medal then the main organiser followed me into the marquee, gave me this plaque and said 'Well done Paddy you came in 3rd Vet(sic)'.
Postman died for 21 MINUTES but came back to life while being wheeled to morgue
"WTF! Sorry Paddy if you do it next year you need to defend your title!"
Kennedy's jubilant post was not appreciated by Dod Reid, race director of the D33 Ultra event.
He reported both men to the sport’s governing body, Scottish Athletics, and wrote: "I will see to it that you are both banned from any future Scottish Athletics events.
“You have stolen a place from the rightful winner and put runners’ safety at risk.
“You are both no longer welcome within the Scottish ultra scene.
Woman explains why she always has sex on first date - and it has one huge benefit
“I will make sure the rightful winner receives his prize. You will be removed from the D33 results.”
The two men could now be suspended from entering licensed competitions.
While runners are banned from swapping numbers the practice is fairly common.
Often injured runners will pass their slot on a friend.
However, it is common practice to warn race organisers so they can keep track of the entrants for safety reasons.
