The Mexico City Marathon may have to start investing in some improved anti-cheating functionality.
A staggering 11,000 runners out of a 30,000-person field were disqualified after they cut some part of the course during the 26.2-mile race on Aug. 27, the Spanish newspaper Marca reported.
The newspaper reported the runners were disqualified after missing checkpoints placed every five kilometers.
Some runners allegedly used vehicles or public transport to cut the course, the report said.
“The Mexico City Sports Institute informs that it will proceed to identify those cases in which participants of the XL Mexico City Marathon Telcel 2023 have demonstrated an unsportsmanlike attitude during the event and will invalidate their registration times,” race organizers said in a statement to Marca.
“This great event not only represents an outstanding celebration for all the inhabitants of the capital, but also an occasion to reaffirm the transcendental values of sport,” the statement continued.
Per Runner’s World, some runners have claimed their trackers were faulty, and they did not cheat but instead passed through the checkpoints without being recorded.
This is not the first time race organizers in Mexico City have had to grapple with widespread cheating.
In 2017, 6,000 runners were disqualified for cheating, while 3,000 were punished in 2018.
The race is one of 38 races this year to hold World Athletics Gold Label Status, which is recognition from the international governing body that indicates it has passed strict criteria for excellence in planning and management.
Hector Garibay Flores, a Bolivian runner, won the marathon in a record 2:08:23, beating the previous mark by more than two minutes.
Celestine Chepchirchir from Kenya won the women’s race in 2:27:17.
Roberto Madrazo, a former Mexican Presidential candidate who was caught cheating at the 2007 Berlin Marathon, said he thought the 11,000 people who were disqualified for cheating were innocent.
“Your program should know that not everyone who signs up for a marathon intends to finish it; many take advantage of the route and logistical support for their training,” Madrazo wrote on X. “I know this because I have participated in 65 marathons.”