A sport that is as simple as running from beginning to end, marathoning has managed to acquire an endless rule book to follow.
Here are the TOP FIVE ways athletes have been disqualified from races.
1. Doping
Recent news has seen world-record holder Ruth Chepngetich, handed a three-year ban from racing as she was found to have Hydrochlorothiazide (HCTZ) in her system. Having run her race under 2 hours and 10 minutes, Chepngetich could not supply reasoning for her positive test.
2. Wearing the wrong bib
In February, He Yingbing and Sun Xiaoyung muddled their bibs whilst competing in the Hong Kong marathon. Coming under ‘jeopardising safety’ both runners were disqualified.
3. Unauthorised Assistance
Esteban Prado was surprisingly disqualified from the Orange County Marathon as he took a bottle of water to drink from his dad, who was watching on the sidelines. As it was not an authorised water station, Prado was deemed to have extra help outside the race.
4. Prohibited Equipment
At the Vienna marathon, Derara Hurisa was disqualified 45 minutes after winning the race due to wearing incorrect shoes. His sole was measured at 5cm, a whole centimetre over the limit and hence was ruled from competing.
5. Improper Assistance
In 1980, Rosie Ruiz took an alternate route to running and took the subway for the last mile of the Boston Marathon. After clearly not running the entire race, Ruiz was stripped of her win.
