Two Vancouver Sun Run medallists who were caught cheating in the 10-kilometre event have been banned from competing in future races.
Neena Cheema and Mohammed Razak used shortcuts in the race last weekend. They went on to place first in their age brackets, 50-54 and 55-59, respectively.
Organizers investigated the winners after two other runners questioned their times, and noticed Cheema was absent from the leader’s pack.
Cheema was captured on a time-stamped video running up the Cambie Street Bridge which helped to further prove the discrepancy in her time.
Jamie Pitblado, vice president of promotions for the Vancouver Sun, is disheartened by the deceit.
“We’re just disappointed that this type of stuff happens at an event like ours. It’s a community run, it’s a family event… that really doesn’t sit well very with ourselves and certainly with the people that are working hard, training hard and doing it fair.”
For future races, Pitblado said organizers plan to place timing mats and video cameras at strategic spots throughout the course to ensure runners have completed segments of the race.
Susan MacRae has been named the new winner for the women’s 50-54 age category and Gary Duncan moved to the top spot in the men’s 55-59 age category.
Charlene Krepiakevich, BMO Vancouver Marathon executive director, said race officials are well prepared to deal with cheating at the upcoming race.
“We do look at the data at the end of the race and if there are any variables or issues that are identified, then that’s another way we can determine if there are any cheaters” she said.
One of the most high-profile instances of cheating in a race happened in 1980 at the Boston Marathon. Rosie Ruiz won the female category before it was revealed that she rode the subway for a portion of the race.
This year’s Sun Run drew 48,000 participants, including B.C. Premier Christy Clark.
