Ultrarunner Suspended for 12 Months for Illicit Use of Vehicle during Race
UK Athletics suspends ultrarunner for 12 months, as they were found guilty of utilizing a car during a 50-mile race (148 characters)
UK Athletics (UKA) has announced a 12-month ban for ultramarathon runner Joasia Zakrzewski who utilized a car during a segment of the 50-mile race. Zakrzewski, who took part in the GB Ultras Manchester to Liverpool race in northwest England on April 7, accepted a lift from a friend's car and ultimately finished in third place.
"I hereby acknowledge and take responsibility for my actions stated in the letter I have submitted to UKA's independent disciplinary panel. On the mentioned day, I indeed traveled in a car prior to completing the run, crossing the finish line, and regrettably accepting a medal and trophy. I failed to immediately return the received accolades as I should have done."
After considering the evidence, the panel determined that Zakrzewski failed to inform race marshals about being given a lift in a car and deliberately concealed the fact that she had partially participated in the race on a non-competitive basis. Furthermore, she accepted the third-place trophy and subsequently chose not to return it.
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Zakrzewski has been prohibited by the panel from participating in any event falling under the jurisdiction of UK Athletics or from representing Great Britain, for a duration of 12 months. Additionally, she is barred from engaging in coaching, officiating, and managing activities for the same timeframe.
The panel stated in its verdict that the Respondent was a skilled athlete with a track record of success at the highest level. Additionally, she held the role of team manager for the international team. This meant she had a duty to uphold the rules, making her breach of them even more significant. Moreover, she failed to rectify her mistake both during and after the race.
After the race, the tracking data detected anomalies in Zakrzewski's timing. She later confessed to the BBC that accepting the third-place trophy was a "major mistake," which she attributed to exhaustion and jet lag after arriving from Australia the previous night.
"I would never knowingly cheat, and this wasn't a race I had set my sights on, but I don't want to offer justifications," she expressed.
Zakrzewski, as reported by the BBC, admitted that she got lost during the race and developed a leg discomfort. Consequently, she acquiesced to accepting a ride from a friend to reach the next checkpoint. Upon reaching the checkpoint, she was convinced to continue and decided to run in a "non-competitive manner," as mentioned by Zakrzewski in her conversation with the BBC. The disciplinary panel's report also highlighted her denial of any intention to cheat and emphasized her steadfast commitment to integrity.
Zakrzewski, a doctor who has competed internationally for Scotland and Great Britain, is able to appeal the decision. CNN has contacted Zakrzewski for comment.
