Scottish runner Joasia Zakrzewski disqualified from race after using car on part of route

A top Scottish runner who used a car for part of an ultra-marathon to finish in third place has been disqualified.

Joasia Zakrzewski, from Dumfries, is thought to have ridden in the vehicle to complete a portion of the 50-mile Manchester to Liverpool race.

The 47-year-old, who holds several long-distance records, was disqualified after a tracker found she covered a mile of the course in less than two minutes.

It is believed she travelled by vehicle for around 2.5 miles of the race that took place on Friday, April 7.

Zakrzewski, who works as a GP, has now been referred to UK Athletics after it was claimed she gained an “unsporting, competitive advantage” over the other runners.

She is said to have taken unwell during the race and used a car as a result.

The ultrarunner, who represented Team Scotland at the 2014 Commonwealth Games, set a world record across 255 miles in a 48-hour race in Taiwan.

Three years ago she won a 147 mile event in Australia and holds the Scottish records in the 24 hour and 100 mile events.

Wayne Drinkwater, the director of the GB Ultras race, said it was “very disappointing”.

“The issue has been investigated and, having reviewed the data from our race tracking system, GPX data, statements provided from our event team, other competitors and from the participant herself, we can confirm that a runner has now been disqualified from the event having taken vehicle transport during part of the route,” he told the BBC.

“The matter is now with the TRA (Trail Running Association) and, in turn, UK Athletics (UKA) as the regulatory bodies.”

Adrian Stott, a friend of the runner, said she is “genuinely sorry” and felt unwell before and during the race.

Third place has been awarded to Mel Sykes.