Mexico Marathon disqualifies 11,000 of their 30,000 runners after thousands cheated, including using cars and public transport mid-race

The organizers of the Mexico Marathon have reportedly disqualified 11,000 runners after electronic trackers revealed the participants had not completed the full course.

Over 30,000 runners participated in the 40th-anniversary edition of the race in Mexico City on August 27.

Mexico Marathon organizers were forced to investigate anonymous complaints from participants post-race.

Complaints alleged thousands of runners had not completed the full distance, according to Marca.

Runners were accused of using vehicles and public transport during the race to shorten the 26.22-mile course.

An investigation using data from the runner's electronic trackers reportedly revealed that thousands had not passed through checkpoints on the route.

The Mexico City Sports Institute confirmed it had launched an investigation into the situation.  

'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,' the statement read.

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.'

Several runners have reportedly claimed that their electronic tracker had not worked properly, leading to their times not being recorded accurately as they passed through checkpoints.

It is not the first time the Mexico Marathon has been forced to disqualify runners for cheating.

Nearly 6,000 runners were disqualified in the 2017 race, with 20 percent of the field failing to complete the full course.

Organisers annulled the results of a further 3,090 runners following the 2018 race.