A top ultra-marathon runner has been disqualified from a race after she was found to have used a car.
Joasia Zakrzewski, 47, from Dumfries, Scotland, finished third in the 50-mile GB Ultras Manchester to Liverpool race on April 7. However, it has been reported that she traveled two and a half miles in a vehicle after mapping data confirmed she had done a mile in just a minute and 40 seconds, the BBC reports.
Ultramarathons are races of over 26 miles 385 yards. Races often go over 100 miles and sometimes 200 miles.
Following the news, Wayne Drinkwater, the director of the GB Ultras race, told the BBC it was "very disappointing" that Zakrzewski had an "unsporting, competitive advantage during a section of the event".
"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," Drinkwater said.
"The matter is now with the TRA (Trail Running Association) and, in turn, UK Athletics (UKA) as the regulatory bodies."
The newly-disqualified ultrarunner had finished in 14th place at the 2014 Commonwealth Games marathon held in Scotland. She had also set records in the UK over 100 and 200 miles. Since her disqualification, runner Mel Sykes has been given third place instead.
Adrian Stott, a friend of the runner, told the BBC she is "genuinely sorry" and was not feeling well just 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."
Stott also told the outlet that Zakrzewski had just arrived from Australia the night before the race, following a 48-hour trip.
He added: "Joasia has been a great ambassador for British sport and has inspired so many women to run and achieve their goals."
Scottish Athletics chairman David Ovens said: "It is very disappointing to hear this, given Joasia's had such a successful period over the last few years. I hope she can put this behind her and that there is an innocent explanation and she can resume her successful career."
In February, Zkarzewski had set a new world record for distance covered in 48 hours by completing 255 miles in Taipei at an ultramarathon event.
On a number of occasions, she has represented Great Britain in the IAU World 100km Championships, where she won individual silver in 2011 and bronze in 2014 and 2015.
