Two girls runners initially completed outdoors 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 every of South Africa’s flagship marathon races after they completed within the prime 10 of the ladies’s race.
Their try at swapping bibs, which bear the identification numbers worn by racers, resulted in two girls runners initially ending outdoors 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 every of 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 contributors, and ending among the many prime 10 is a big 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 legit finishes.
Jacobs and Bradfield will face disciplinary processes by the marathon’s disciplinary subcommittee, stated Two Oceans Marathon board member Stuart Mann, who helped uncover the dishonest, which overshadowed the efficiency of sincere runners.
Swapping bibs is unethical and dangerous
Exchanging bibs with one other marathoner has develop into extra widespread whereas additionally carrying far-reaching penalties, Mann stated.
“Not solely is it thought of unethical, however it additionally poses well being and medical dangers in case of an emergency, as unsuitable treatment could also be administered to a unsuitable particular person,” Mann stated.
Swapping numbers may result from completely different motivations, Mann defined. For some, it’s performed to keep away from shedding cash if they’re injured or for another sudden cause, can’t run the race. For others, the misleading follow permits them to acquire a quicker time to make use of for qualifying in a future race.
On-line images result in discoveries and apologies
Mann was tipped off to one of many swaps after Jacobs posted footage of himself on the race on social media and folks seen 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 girls’s race.
“I made an error in judgment and didn’t contemplate the implications. I mustn’t have taken half,” Jacobs stated in a written apology.
Jacobs and Bradfield have been additionally tripped up by trendy sports activities expertise. Race officers watched the primary 10 girls cross the end line, however knowledge from chips within the bibs indicated two different girls 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 downside 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 good friend ran in my place,” Garvey stated.
Parekh didn’t give a transparent rationalization for her actions, in keeping with Mann, who stated each girls have apologised and face two-year bans from the Two Oceans Marathon.
