Durban - Comrades Marathon organisers have warned runners who intend cheating at this year’s race that drastic action would be taken against those caught out.
Marathon general manager Chris Fisher said running clubs across the country had this year raised concerns and alerted them to be on the lookout for transgressors. He said some clubs had gone as far as submitting names of potential cheats to be watched.
Fisher said transgressions varied from not running the full route distance, running with another entrant’s race number or supplying false information. He described this as “unethical” and “unsportsmanlike” behaviour.
“If you do not cross all the timing mats, we will want to know why. This year, thanks to tip-offs, we have names which we will watch carefully.
“Suspicious split times will also be investigated. Officials will be on the lookout for the so-called ‘park and ride’ gang who drive part of the route and run the rest.”
KwaZulu-Natal Athletics would issue runners suspected of cheating with a notice to attend disciplinary hearings. Bans of up to two years could be handed down.
In 2014, KZN Athletics launched an investigation into more than 20 Comrades Marathon runners who missed timing mats spread across the 89km route.
Two of the runners also ran suspiciously faster times in different sections of the race. The year before, KZN Athletics flagged 31 runners for missing mats and dodgy split times.
Another major scandal was when QwaQwa runner Sergio Motsoeneng finished eighth in his first Comrades Marathon, but fellow runner Nick Bester complained he had not seen Motsoeneng pass him on the final stretch.
In two different photos taken, Motsoeneng had apparently switched his watch from his left to his right wrist and inexplicably grown a scar on his left shin. It was found that Motsoeneng was not one but two people.
Forty-five minutes into the race, Motsoeneng had ducked into a portable toilet. Inside, his identical brother, Fika, was waiting.
Motsoeneng removed his shirt, bib, hat and even shoes, and gave them to his brother, who continued the race. The race organisers figured that the switch happened on more than one occasion throughout the 90km course.
When the deception was confirmed, Sergio and Fika were stripped of their prize money and banned from competing in any ultramarathon for more than five years.
Cape Times