Ultramarathon runner handed 12-month ban for using car

Scottish ultramarathon runner Joasia Zakrzewski has been banned for 12 months by a UK Athletics disciplinary panel after using a car for part of a 50-mile race.

Zakrzewski finished third in the GB Ultras Manchester-Liverpool race in April, but race tracking system data showed she used a car for around 2.5 miles of the competition. Her data indicated that she ran a mile in 1 minute and 40 seconds, 2 1/2 minutes faster than the current women’s world record.

Zakrzewski said she used the car after telling race stewards she was injured and no longer racing, before accepting a medal and wooden trophy for third place.

However, in statements after the race, the stewards disputed Zakrzewski’s claim that she told them she was no longer racing.

The panel said Zakrzewski only told officials what happened after being asked by the race organizer and did not seek to return the prize within a week of the race. She also posted about the race on social media without saying she competed non-competitively.

“It wasn’t malicious. It was a miscommunication. I would never have deliberately cheated and it wasn’t a targeted race, but I don’t want to make excuses,” Zakrzewski told the BBC.

Zakrzewski will not be able to participate in any races organized by UK Athletic for one year.