British Joasia Zakrzewski jumped to a strong 3rd place in the ultra race between Manchester and Liverpool. By then she had covered more than 80 bone-chilling kilometres. One stretch of the race, however, caused some people to stumble. The 47-year-old ran four of the kilometers at lightning speed. GPS measurements show that Zakrzewski ran an English mile – 1,609 meters – in one minute and 40 seconds. Jakob Ingebrigtsen’s personal record for the distance is more than two minutes behind that, with 3.46.46. Ingebrigtsen’s time is just over three seconds behind the world record. STAR: Jakob Ingebrigtsen is fast, but not faster than a car. Photo: FREDRIK SANDBERG /TT / NTB Now it turns out that the ultra runner was helped by a car through parts of the course. It is confirmed by the organizer, who has spoken to Zakrzewski himself. – A runner has been disqualified for driving a car, says the director of the race, Wayne Drinkwater, to the BBC. – Total slaughter of all forms of cheating Now it is up to the international federation and the British Athletics Federation to decide the consequences for the runner. – This is very disappointing to hear, especially since Joasia has had such a successful career in recent years. I hope she can move on from this, and that they find an explanation for it, says David Ovens, head of the Scottish Athletics Association, to the BBC. Sebastian Conrad Håkansson was named Norwegian male ultra runner of the year in 2022, and set a Nordic record when he came in 4th place during the 100-kilometer race in the WC last year. NORWEGIAN PROFILE: Sebastian Håkansson is at the top of the world in ultra running. Photo: PRIVAT He is merciless towards the choice Zakrzewski made when she got into the car. – I completely slaughter all forms of cheating, and I don’t understand why she does it. In other sports there are large cash prizes, but there is not in ultra running. What does he want to achieve with it? It is totally pointless. I see no reason why she should cheat on something so trivial, says Håkansson to news. He says that he has never experienced anything like this, and that runners in his environment would be banned if they came up with something similar. He compares the breach of the rules to doping, and believes that Zakrzewski’s motivation is on the wrong side. – The essence of it is to know that you have finished and jump to break your own limits. If you know you have cheated, you are left with nothing. Ultra running is not my income, but something I do to get the feeling of breaking boundaries, says Conradsen. BLOOD SLIT: Ultrarunning is an endurance test of rare dimensions. Håkansson has the ability to exert extreme forces when he runs. Photo: PRIVAT The explanation: Feeling ill The BBC has spoken to a friend of Zakrzewski. He explains that she had arrived by plane from Australia the night before the race, and that the race did not go as planned. – She felt sick and tired from the race, and wanted to give up finishing, says Adrian Scott. Zakrzewski has won several large ultra races around the world, and holds several national records in ultra races. – She has cooperated with the investigation of the organiser, and told them everything about what happened. She is genuinely sorry for what has happened, says the friend. Mel Sykes has been awarded 3rd place in the race after Zakrzewski was disqualified.
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Joasia Zakrzewski takes the peach – used car in competition – news Sport – Sports news, results and broadcasting schedule
