A top ultra-marathon runner has been thrown out of a race after tracking information revealed she had used a car during the event. Joasia Zakrzewski, a 47-year-old GP from Dumfries in Scotland, is a leading runner and has participated in the Commonwealth Games.
She finished third in the GB Ultras Manchester to Liverpool race. Held on Good Friday, April 7, it covered a 50-mile distance.
However, as reported by the M.E.N, it is believed that she travelled 2.5 miles of the route in a car. Mapping data showed that she had covered a mile in one minute and 40 seconds.
The incident is now being investigated. Wayne Drinkwater, the director of the GB Ultras race, told the BBC it was 'very disappointing' and confirmed the issue had been passed to regulatory body, UK Athletics.
He said: "The issue has been investigated and, having reviewed the data from our race tracking system, GPX data, statements provided from our event team, other competitors and from the participant herself, we can confirm that a runner has now been disqualified from the event having taken vehicle transport during part of the route. The matter is now with the TRA (Trail Running Association) and, in turn, UK Athletics (UKA) as the regulatory bodies."
Zakrezewski finished 14th in the 2014 Commonwealth Games marathon in Scotland and has set records in the UK over 100 and 200 miles. Third place in the Manchester to Liverpool event has since been awarded to ultra-runner Mel Sykes.
Adrian Stott, a friend of the Zakrezewski, told the BBC she was 'genuinely sorry' and felt unwell before and during the race. "The race didn’t go to plan. She said she was feeling sick and tired on the race and wanted to drop out," he said.
"She has co-operated fully with the race organisers' investigations, giving them a full account of what happened. She genuinely feels sorry for any upset caused."
The Manchester to Liverpool Ultra - now in its seventh year - starts at Media City in Salford and tracks the route of the Trans-Pennine Trial, the Manchester Ship Canal and the River Mersey from Manchester to Liverpool. It is understood around 400 runners took part in this year's event.
