Ultra runner Zakrzewski given one-year ban for using car in a race

Former world 48-hour record-holder says jetlag left her unable to think straight after accepting a bronze medal in Manchester-Liverpool event in April despite having covered some of the 50 miles in a vehicle

Joasia Zakrzewski created headlines in April when she stood on a podum at the Manchester-Liverpool ultra race after having taken a lift in a friend’s car for 2.5 of the 50 miles.

“When I got to the checkpoint I told them I was pulling out and that I had been in the car and they said ‘you will hate yourself if you stop’,” Zakrzewski said at the time. “I agreed to carry on in a non-competitive way. I made sure I didn’t overtake the runner in front when I saw her as I didn’t want to interfere with her race.”

Zakrzewski, who had recently set a short-lived world record for 48 hours, admitted she was wrong to pose for photos and to accept a trophy and medal after the race. She added that returning from Australia the night before left her jet-lagged and unable to think properly. “I made a massive error accepting the trophy and should have handed it back,” she said.

However seven months later she has been given a 12-month ban by UK Athletics. The governing body’s disciplinary panel rejected her explanation and have barred her from racing, coaching or managing for a year after finding her guilty of breaking the UKA code of conduct for athletes.

Jo Zakrzewski

In their decision the panel said Zakrzewski’s claims were “contrary to the evidence of the marshals, evidence which the respondent did not seek to challenge or contest, by way of cross-examination at the hearing”.

You can read it in full here.

In a letter to the panel, Zakrzewski said: “I accept my actions on the day that I did travel in a car and then later completed the run, crossing the finish line and inappropriately receiving a medal and trophy, which I did not return immediately as I should have done.”

Joasia Zakrzewski (David Hewitson)

She argued she had told the marshals that she was injured and had decided to keep going on a non-competitive basis. Her claims did not tally with the marshals, though, when they were quizzed about the incident.

In addition, Zakrzewski only admitted using the car when challenged by the race organiser. “The respondent sought to defend this by claiming she was embarrassed, but ultimately she chose not to disclose what had happened rather than embarrass herself,” the panel said.

» Subscribe to AW magazine here

Ultra runner Zakrzewski given one-year ban for using car in a race appeared first on AW.