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Men caught competing in women's category at prestigious marathon
Two men were disqualified from one of South Africa's flagship marathon races after they finished in the top 10 of the women's race.The deception is an example of cheating that has overshadowed the performance of honest runners.Their attempt at swapping bibs, which bear the identification numbers worn by racers, resulted in two women runners initially finishing outside the top 10 in the Two Oceans Marathon in Cape Town on April 12.The annual Two Oceans race is one of South Africa’s iconic marathons and includes a 56-kilometer (34.7-mile) ultramarathon and a 21.1-kilometer (13.1-mile) half-marathon. The event attracts over 16,000 participants and finishing among the top 10 is a significant achievement for most runners. The two men, Luke Jacobs and Nic Bradfield, finished seventh and 10th. They were disqualified after a marathon board member uncovered the deception. The women runners who had been bumped were subsequently recognized for their legitimate finishes.Jacobs and Bradfield will face disciplinary processes by the marathon’s disciplinary subcommittee, said Two Oceans Marathon board member Stuart Mann, who helped uncover the deception.Swapping bibs is unethical and riskyExchanging bibs with another marathoner has become more common while also carrying far-reaching consequences, Mann said.“Not only is it considered unethical, but it also poses health and medicals risks in case of an emergency as wrong medication may be administered to a wrong person,” Mann said.Swapping numbers can result from different motivations, Mann explained. For some, it is done to avoid losing money if they are injured or for some other unexpected reason can’t run the race. For others, the deceptive practice allows them to obtain a faster time to use for qualifying in a future race.Online photos lead to discoveries and apologiesMann was tipped off to one of the swaps after Jacobs posted pictures of himself at the race on social media and people noticed his bib displayed the name “Larissa.”After further investigation, Mann learned Jacobs competed using a bib assigned to Larissa Parekh, who was registered to compete in the women's race.“I made an error in judgment and did not consider the consequences. I should not have taken part,” Jacobs said in a written apology.Jacobs and Bradfield also were tripped up by modern sports technology. Race officials watched the first 10 women cross the finish line, but data from chips in the bibs indicated two other women also had crossed, although...
Men caught competing as women in prestigious South African marathon ...
Two women runners initially finished outside the top 10 in the Two Oceans Marathon in Cape Town before bib swap spotted.Two men have been disqualified from one of South Africa’s flagship marathon races after they finished in the top 10 of the women’s race.Their attempt at swapping bibs, which bear the identification numbers worn by racers, resulted in two women runners initially finishing outside the top 10 in the Two Oceans Marathon in Cape Town on April 12.Recommended Stories list of 4 itemslist 1 of 4Chelsea seek to ignite UCL chase as Man Utd arrive in Premier Leaguelist 2 of 4Saudi Arabia sack French coach Renard less than two months before World Cuplist 3 of 4World Cup fans outraged by US transit prices for 2026 FIFA eventslist 4 of 4Lionel Messi buys Barcelona-based Spanish football club Cornellaend of listThe annual Two Oceans race is one of South Africa’s iconic marathons and includes a 56km (34.7-mile) ultramarathon and a 21.1km (13.1-mile) half-marathon. The event attracts more than 16,000 participants, and finishing among the top 10 is a significant achievement for most runners.The two men, Luke Jacobs and Nic Bradfield, finished seventh and 10th. They were disqualified after a marathon board member uncovered the deception. The women runners who had been bumped were subsequently recognised for their legitimate finishes.Jacobs and Bradfield will face disciplinary processes by the marathon’s disciplinary subcommittee, said Two Oceans Marathon board member Stuart Mann, who helped uncover the cheating, which overshadowed the performance of honest runners.Swapping bibs is unethical and riskyExchanging bibs with another marathoner has become more common while also carrying far-reaching consequences, Mann said.“Not only is it considered unethical, but it also poses health and medical risks in case of an emergency, as wrong medication may be administered to a wrong person,” Mann said.Swapping numbers can result from different motivations, Mann explained. For some, it is done to avoid losing money if they are injured or for some other unexpected reason, cannot run the race. For others, the deceptive practice allows them to obtain a faster time to use for qualifying in a future race.Online photos lead to discoveries and apologiesMann was tipped off to one of the swaps after Jacobs posted pictures of himself at the race on social media and people noticed his bib displayed the name “Larissa”.After further investigation, Mann learned Jacobs competed using a...
Men disqualified from women's Top 10 at Two Oceans Marathon due to race ...
Two male runners who finished in the Women's Top 10 of the Two Oceans Marathon half marathon have been disqualified after competing with race numbers registered to female entrants, in an incident that briefly appeared to alter the race's public standings. For one runner, the shift was immediate and deeply personal.
South Africa marathon shock: Men caught cheating in women's race - WDBO
World Men caught competing in the women's category of a prestigious South African marathon By MOGOMOTSI MAGOME April 17, 2026 at 9:58 am EDT
