Marathon Cheats & DNF's: A History

The world of marathon running, celebrated for its discipline, endurance, and the sheer human spirit, also has its share of cautionary tales. While most runners strive for personal bests and honourable finishes, a few instances highlight the temptation to bend the rules or the harsh reality of physical limitations. This article delves into notable cases of athletes who were unable to finish a marathon and those who resorted to unsportsmanlike conduct, offering a glimpse into the less-than-perfect side of this beloved sport.

The Unfinished Race: When the Body Says No

The commitment required to complete a marathon is immense. Even the most seasoned athletes can face unforeseen challenges on race day, leading to a "Did Not Finish" (DNF). This can be due to a multitude of factors, from sudden illness or injury to simply hitting an insurmountable wall, often referred to as 'bonking'.

A recent example of a high-profile runner unable to finish occurred during a major marathon. One of ten runners who could not complete the race, the athlete faced immense disappointment. Ethiopian Tamirat Tola secured the gold medal with an Olympic record time of 2:06:26. Representing Great Britain, Emile Cairess narrowly missed a podium spot, finishing in fourth place, just 27 seconds behind the medalists. The athlete in question, a former world record holder between 2018 and 2023, had aspirations of becoming the first man to win three Olympic marathons. However, the gruelling demands of the race proved too much, forcing an unexpected DNF.

DNF's are a stark reminder of the unpredictable nature of endurance sports. While the media often focuses on the victors, the stories of those who start with ambition but are forced to withdraw are equally compelling, highlighting the resilience and vulnerability of the human body.

The Infamous Rosie Ruiz and the Boston Marathon Scandal

Perhaps one of the most notorious cheating incidents in marathon history involves Rosie Ruiz and the 1980 Boston Marathon. Her alleged victory was shrouded in suspicion from the outset, and subsequent investigations revealed a remarkable deception.

Ruiz's journey to the Boston Marathon was itself unusual. She qualified for the New York City Marathon in 1979 with a time of 2:56:29, placing her 11th among women. Her application for the NYC marathon had arrived after the deadline, but she received special dispensation due to a claim of dying from brain cancer. However, following the 1980 Boston Marathon, New York City Marathon officials investigated her run and concluded she had cheated, not completing the entire course. As a result, she was retroactively disqualified on April 25, 1980.

Freelance photographer Susan Morrow came forward with a startling account. She claimed to have met Ruiz on the subway during the New York City Marathon and accompanied her from the subway to the finish line. According to Morrow, Ruiz identified herself as an injured runner and was escorted by volunteers to a first aid station, where she was marked as a finisher. This allowed her to qualify for the Boston Marathon.

The Boston Marathon itself became the stage for Ruiz's most audacious act. On April 21, 1980, she appeared to win the women's category with an astonishing time of 2:31:56, which would have been a course record and one of the fastest female times ever recorded. However, numerous red flags were raised:

• Lack of Fatigue: Ruiz did not appear to be sweating or panting, and her physique did not suggest that of a world-class runner.
• Unusual Resting Heart Rate: She released stress-test results showing a resting heart rate of 76, significantly higher than the typical 50s or lower for elite female marathoners.
• Inconsistent Performance: Her Boston time was an improvement of over 25 minutes compared to her New York City Marathon performance just six months prior.
• Vague Recollections: She struggled to recall race details, such as intervals and splits, which are common knowledge for serious runners.
• Wellesley College Anomaly: She failed to mention the traditionally loud cheering students of Wellesley College, a significant landmark on the course.
• Lack of Witnesses: Crucially, no other runners could recall seeing her on the course, and she did not appear in any photographs or video footage.

The most damning evidence came from two Harvard students, John Faulkner and Sola Mahoney, who recalled seeing Ruiz emerge from a crowd of spectators on Commonwealth Avenue, only half a mile from the finish line. This confirmed suspicions that she had joined the race partway through.

A few days after New York City's disqualification, the Boston Athletic Association (BAA) also disqualified Ruiz. Jacqueline Gareau was eventually declared the winner, with Patti Lyons moving up to second place. This case serves as a powerful example of how technology and vigilant observation can uncover deception.

The Case of Joasia Zakrzewski: Cheating in the Modern Era

Cheating in marathons is not confined to the past. The advent of sophisticated tracking technology has, in some ways, made it harder to cheat, but also revealed new methods of deception. The case of Joasia Zakrzewski, a top Scottish athlete, in the 2023 GB Ultras race highlights this.

Zakrzewski, who had represented Scotland in the 2014 Commonwealth Games, was disqualified from the 50-mile ultramarathon from Manchester to Liverpool after it was revealed she had travelled approximately two-and-a-half miles of the race by car. Tracking data showed an impossibly fast pace, with one mile completed in just one minute and 40 seconds.

Her friend explained that Zakrzewski, having travelled 48 hours from Australia, felt unwell and accepted a lift. The data showed her hitting a top speed of 35mph in the car, significantly faster than Usain Bolt's sprint speed. Her bronze medal was awarded to another competitor, Mel Sykes, who publicly condemned Zakrzewski's actions as detrimental to sportsmanship.

Sykes' comments on social media were scathing:

"Great news for me but really bad news for sportsmanship. The below happened because a fellow competitor cheated. She travelled in a car for around 2.5 miles of the M2L 50 mile event last week. After an investigation, she has now been DQ’d, and rightly so. The sad thing in all this is that it completely takes the p*** out of the race organisers, fellow competitors and fair sport. How can someone who knows they have cheated cross a finish line, collect a medal/trophy and have their photos taken?! For all the over analysing of data we do these days, it’s also a bloody great tool for situations like this. You have to be superwoman to be running 1:40min/miles at 90bpm with zero cadence. The audacity of uploading the data, complete with trophy photo, makes this worse!!"

The GB Ultras race director confirmed the disqualification after an investigation involving tracking systems, GPX data, and statements from event staff, competitors, and Zakrzewski herself. The matter was referred to UK Athletics, underscoring the seriousness with which such breaches of fair play are treated.

Comparative Analysis: Cheating vs. DNF

It's important to distinguish between those who are unable to finish and those who cheat. While both result in not completing the race as intended, the motivations and implications are vastly different.

Frequently Asked Questions

What does DNF mean in a marathon?

DNF stands for "Did Not Finish." It means a runner started the race but did not cross the finish line.

Why do runners DNF?

Runners DNF for various reasons, including injuries, dehydration, heat exhaustion, cramping, illness, or simply being unable to maintain the required pace or energy levels.

What was Rosie Ruiz accused of?

Rosie Ruiz was accused of cheating in the 1980 Boston Marathon by not running the entire course. Evidence suggested she joined the race partway through.

How was Joasia Zakrzewski caught cheating?

Joasia Zakrzewski was caught cheating because her GPS tracking data showed an impossibly fast pace, indicating she had used vehicle transport during a section of the race.

Is it common for marathon runners to cheat?

While the vast majority of marathon runners compete with integrity, cheating incidents do occur, though they are relatively rare, especially in major events where tracking and scrutiny are high. However, the allure of victory or qualification can unfortunately tempt some individuals.

What are the consequences of cheating in a marathon?

Consequences typically include immediate disqualification from the event, revocation of any awards or prizes, and potential bans from future races, often by national and international athletics governing bodies.

Conclusion: The Spirit of the Marathon

The stories of those who couldn't finish and those who cheated serve as important narratives within the broader tapestry of marathon running. They remind us of the immense physical and mental challenges involved, and the importance of integrity and sportsmanship. While the pursuit of victory is a powerful motivator, it should never come at the expense of honesty. The true spirit of the marathon lies in the personal journey, the shared effort, and the respect for the rules and fellow competitors.