The Mexico City marathon, one of the most popular running events in the country, has been marred by accusations of mass cheating, resulting in thousands of participants being disqualified.

Out of the 30,000 runners who took part in the race, approximately 11,000 are alleged to have engaged in unsportsmanlike behavior, including shortcuts and even using bicycles and public transportation during certain sections of the race.

Reports from Spanish newspaper Marca highlight the widespread cheating, and concerns were raised about competitors who missed crucial checkpoints along the course. The marathon organizers have initiated investigations into the matter and have confirmed that all individuals found to have cheated will be disqualified.

In a statement, the organizers stated, “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.” They emphasized the significance of the marathon as a celebration of the sport’s values.

Not the first time

This is not the first time the Mexico City Marathon has faced mass disqualifications due to cheating. Similar incidents occurred in 2017, where 6,000 participants were denied medals, and in the following year, when 3,090 runners faced disqualification for similar reasons.

The Mexico City Marathon holds World Athletics Gold Label Status, signifying its commitment to maintaining the highest standards of organization and delivery. Despite the accusations of cheating, World Athletics expressed support for the race organizers, noting that proper checkpoints and detection systems were in place to address such issues swiftly and fairly.