Ultra-marathon runner banned for a year after admitting she used car in 50-mile race she won trophy in

15 November 2023, 23:01 | Updated: 15 November 2023, 23:32

Joasia Zakrzewski has been banned from competing and coaching for a year after the panel ruling.
Joasia Zakrzewski has been banned from competing and coaching for a year after the panel ruling. Picture: Alamy

By Jenny Medlicott

An ultra-marathon runner has been banned from competing and coaching for 12 months after admitting she used a car in a race.

Listen to this article

Loading audio...

Joasia Zakrzewski, 47, denied that she intended to cheat in the GB Ultras Manchester to Liverpool race in April - but did admit to travelling in her friend’s car for around 2.5 miles of the almost 50-mile course.

Ms Zakrzewski, a Scottish GP, has now been banned from all UK Athletics events and from representing Great Britain for a year, after an independent disciplinary panel ruling.

She was also banned from coaching or managing teams for 12 months after the panel found her guilty of breaching UKA’s code of conduct.

Now based near Sydney, Ms Zakrzewski previously set a world 48-hour distance record in a 255-mile run in Taiwan in February.

During the April event, she had reportedly started to limp during the race and so hitched a ride with a friend to the next checkpoint when her friend convinced her to carry on.

She said she agreed to continue the event, adding she would run in a “non-competitive” way, but went on to receive third place, a medal and a trophy.

Read more: Spain to 'try and convince EU’ to axe 90-day visit limit for British holidaymakers after post-Brexit rule

Read more: ‘Thank you for the best 10 years a person gets to have’: Lisa Kudrow breaks silence in moving tribute to Matthew Perry

Tracking information revealed that she had taken a short car journey of about 2.5 miles.

“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,” she told the panel.

The panel said despite her mistake on the day, she still failed to confess in the days that followed.

Ms Zakrzewski had shared messages about the race on her social media, without mention of the car, which she defended by saying she was embarrassed.

She also said she had been left “devastated” by the incident amid facing calls from some to receive a life ban.

The ultra-runner competed for Scotland at the 2014 Commonwealth Games and has set numerous records, such as the British 200k.

Due to her experience as an athlete, the panel said this made her case “even more serious” as it meant she had a duty to abide by the rules.

More Latest News

See more More Latest News

Daily Life During Winter Season In Toronto

Manhunt underway after 12 injured in shooting in Toronto

R

Vulnerable teen 'fixated on Hitler' investigated by MI5 until taking her own life, inquest hears

Harriet Harman has been named the first Special Envoy for Women and Girls

Harriet Harman named UK's first Special Envoy for Women and Girls

US President Donald Trump speaks from the Oval Office of the White House

Trump claims Putin 'holds all the cards' as he says Russia is 'easier to deal with' than Ukraine

Sigmon was convicted of murdering his ex-girlfriend’s parents with a baseball bat in Taylors, South Carolina in 2001.

US death row inmate executed by firing squad for the first time in fifteen years

Jean-Philippe Mateta of Crystal Palace injured by a kick in the face by Millwall goalkeeper during the Emirates FA Cup Fifth Round match between Crystal Palace and Millwall.

Millwall goalkeeper handed extended six match ban after high challenge on Crystal Palace striker Jean-Philippe Mateta

Daniel Craig's final film as James Bond, No Time To Die, was released in 2021

Amazon hatches plan for female 007 as streaming giant plots future of James Bond

Gene Hackman and Betsy Arakawa Portrait

Gene Hackman's cause of death revealed as police confirm star died a week after wife Betsy Arakawa

With Love, Meghan, will return for a second season.

Meghan Markle's Netflix show renewed for second season despite first series being panned by critics and fans

Ugo Monye

South African man cleared of racially harassing ex-England rugby player as he 'didn't know n-word was offensive'

Rome, Italy. 25th Jan, 2025. Pope Francis seen during the Celebration of Vespers

Pope Francis remains in a 'stable' but complex condition as he marks three weeks in hospital

US President Donald Trump speaks from the Oval Office of the White House

Trump to 'hold peace talks with Zelenskyy next week' as he says Russia is 'easier to deal with' than Ukraine

Rupert Lowe

Reform UK civil war as party suspends Rupert Lowe after complaints of 'serious bullying' by female employees

Social media algorithms are controversial

What is a social media algorithm and why are they controversial?

Exclusive
Yevgeny Popov

Russian MP tells LBC Starmer ‘doesn’t want peace’ and says Putin won’t rule out launching another war

LBC’s Will Guyatt gives parents all the tools they need to help keep children safe online

The ultimate guide to keeping your children safe online by LBC's tech guru Will Guyatt