Mexico Marathon disqualifies 11,000 of their 30,000 runners after finding THOUSANDS cheated, including using cars and public transport mid-race, by investigating their electronic trackers
- Organisers investigated complaints that runners failed to complete the course
- Mexico Marathon organisers examined electronic tracking data from the event
- Thousands of runners have previously been disqualified from the annual race
Organisers of the Mexico Marathon have reportedly disqualified 11,000 runners after electronic trackers revealed the participants had not completed the full course.
Over 30,000 runners participated at the 40th anniversary edition of the race in Mexico City on August 27.
Mexico Marathon organisers were forced to investigate anonymous complaints from participants post-race.
Complaints alleged thousands runners had not completed the full distance, according to Marca.
Runners were accused of using vehicles and public transport during the race to shorten the 26.22 mile course.
The Mexico Marathon reportedly disqualified 11,000 runners for failing to finish the course
Over 30,000 runners took to the start of the 40th edition of the marathon on August 27
An investigation using data from the runner’s electronic trackers reportedly revealed that thousands had not passed through check points on the route.
The Mexico City Sports Institute confirmed it had launched an investigation into the situation.
‘The Mexico City Sports Institute informs that it will proceed to identify those cases in which participants of the XL Mexico City Marathon Telcel 2023 have demonstrated an unsportsmanlike attitude during the event and will invalidate their registration times,’ the statement read.
‘This great event not only represents an outstanding celebration for all the inhabitants of the capital, but also an occasion to reaffirm the transcendental values of sport.’
Several runners have reportedly claimed that their electronic tracker had not worked properly, leading to their times not being recorded accurately as they passed through check points.
It is not the first time the Mexico Marathon has been forced to disqualify runners for cheating.
Nearly 6,000 runners were disqualified in the 2017 race, with 20 per cent of the field failing to complete the full course.
Organisers annulled the results of a further 3,090 runners following the 2018 race.
Organiers discovered thousands failed to complete the course after examining tracking data
The Mexico Marathon holds World Athletics Gold Label Status, the second highest status awarded to road running events by the governing body.
Organisers say the status highlights the events ‘quality and professionalism’ in Latin America.
This year’s men’s elite race was won by Bolivia’s Hector Garibay in a time of 2:08:23, while Celestine Chepchirchir of Kenya triumphed in the women’s in 2:27:17.
All finishers at the Mexico Marathon receive a medal, which this year included Mexico City’s Latin American Tower on it design.
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