A Scots ultra-marathon runner has been disqualified from a major race - after officials discovered that she had used a car.
Joasia Zakrzewski, from Dumfries, was awarded third place in the GB Ultras Manchester to Liverpool race on April 7. However, event organisers found that the 47-year-old had used a car to complete 2.5 miles of the course, after mapping data showed she covered a mile in one minute and 40 seconds.
Following her disqualification, third place was awarded to Mel Sykes. Director of the GB Ultras race Wayne Drinkwater called the situation "very disappointing".
Speaking to the BBC, he said: "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.
"The matter is now with the TRA (Trail Running Association) and, in turn, UK Athletics (UKA) as the regulatory bodies."
Zakrezewski came 14th in the 2014 Commonwealth Games marathon in Scotland and holds records in the UK for distances over 100 and 200 miles. Adrian Stott, a friend of the athlete, told the BBC she is "genuinely sorry" and felt unwell before and during the race.
"The race didn't go to plan," he said. "She said she was feeling sick and tired on the race and wanted to drop out.
"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."
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