Two ladies runners initially completed exterior the highest 10 within the Two Oceans Marathon in Cape City earlier than bib swap noticed.
Printed On 17 Apr 2026
Two males have been disqualified from one in all South Africa’s flagship marathon races after they completed within the high 10 of the ladies’s race.
Their try at swapping bibs, which bear the identification numbers worn by racers, resulted in two ladies runners initially ending exterior the highest 10 within the Two Oceans Marathon in Cape City on April 12.
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The annual Two Oceans race is one in all South Africa’s iconic marathons and features a 56km (34.7-mile) ultramarathon and a 21.1km (13.1-mile) half-marathon. The occasion attracts greater than 16,000 individuals, and ending among the many high 10 is a major achievement for many runners.
The 2 males, Luke Jacobs and Nic Bradfield, completed seventh and tenth. They have been disqualified after a marathon board member uncovered the deception. The ladies runners who had been bumped have been subsequently recognised for his or her reliable finishes.
Jacobs and Bradfield will face disciplinary processes by the marathon’s disciplinary subcommittee, mentioned Two Oceans Marathon board member Stuart Mann, who helped uncover the dishonest, which overshadowed the efficiency of trustworthy runners.
Swapping bibs is unethical and dangerous
Exchanging bibs with one other marathoner has develop into extra frequent whereas additionally carrying far-reaching penalties, Mann mentioned.
“Not solely is it thought-about unethical, nevertheless it additionally poses well being and medical dangers in case of an emergency, as incorrect treatment could also be administered to a incorrect particular person,” Mann mentioned.
Swapping numbers may end up from totally different motivations, Mann defined. For some, it’s completed to keep away from shedding cash if they’re injured or for another sudden motive, can’t run the race. For others, the misleading observe permits them to acquire a sooner time to make use of for qualifying in a future race.
On-line pictures result in discoveries and apologies
Mann was tipped off to one of many swaps after Jacobs posted photos of himself on the race on social media and other people observed his bib displayed the title “Larissa”.
After additional investigation, Mann discovered Jacobs competed utilizing a bib assigned to Larissa Parekh, who was registered to compete within the ladies’s race.
“I made an error in judgment and didn’t take into account the implications. I shouldn’t have taken half,” Jacobs mentioned in a written apology.
Jacobs and Bradfield have been additionally tripped up by fashionable sports activities expertise. Race officers watched the primary 10 ladies cross the end line, however knowledge from chips within the bibs indicated two different ladies had additionally crossed, though they weren’t noticed by the officers.
The discrepancy led to the revelation that Bradfield competed with a quantity belonging to Tegan Garvey, who later admitted to giving up her bib after she suffered a hip drawback previous to the race.
“The day earlier than, my hip gave in utterly, leaving me unable to even stroll. I felt unhealthy as to surrender my race entry so my pal ran in my place,” Garvey mentioned.
Parekh didn’t give a transparent clarification for her actions, in keeping with Mann, who mentioned each ladies have apologised and face two-year bans from the Two Oceans Marathon.
