Penang Bridge International Marathon 2013 Cheats

Spot The Difference.

Rest assured that the photo is the same person and I've removed his face as the investigation may still be ongoing. The person above is a strong runner, always podium winner in local races. Known famous runner. Strong and young. He took part in 21km or Half Marathon in PBIM...But in the lower photo, running on Penang Bridge, he was caught on camera with a Men Veteran FULL MARATHON Bib...and he finished his race with his legit 21km bib. I am not sure of his timing, but it should be between 1:07:16 to 1:07:47...(between 3rd placing and 5th placing). I was told that this man's PB for 21km is usually 1:1X...so a 1:07 gave him a SUPER PB improvement of at least 3 minutes....and those running at those speed will know how difficult to improve even just 1 seconds. 

So, meaning, he had a head start WITH the FM folks at 2am...as the HM starts at 3:15am...a 1:15 hours differences. 

Ready for more?

Now, spot the similarity

The man at the photo below is also a very famous veteran runner. Known runner among locals. Super strong for his age. Sponsored runner of New Balance. Spot the SAME number, but different color bib? The man finished the FM in 3:00.

How did they pull it off?
Interesting isn't it? Here we got photo evidences of two very strong Malaysian runners pulling off perhaps one of the most well planned cheat in the running scene. 

Here is my opinion on how they managed to pull it off...

1. FM starts 2am. A first ran with B's Veteran Bib (suspected to be fake, that is why color is NOT green).

2. HM starts 3:15. for their level, 1:15 more than enough to cover 21km. This meant A can run slower than usual and still come up first Malaysia for 21km. He cross the line champion Malaysia for 21km. In fact, he scored a 1:07:XX, coming in between Kenyans. Nicely done.

3. B then take over and run remaining 20++km pai-kau-kau lat and finish in Sub 3hours because A already cover 21km for him...next time marker is at Km25(?) B can re-start at KM25 and everything is still believable.

4. B finish FM Veteran in good timing...and I was told the intention for this was for Boston qualifying...and a 3:15 for his age group is suffice ;-)

They were both disqualified by the PBIM organiser and I was told (second hand info) that they are now banned from entering races under (this) PBIM organiser.

I've lost all respect for this two very strong Malaysian runners that has inspired many runners. Their past races and records is now hanging in the balance. COuld they had done the same? Because stunts like these could not be planned and pulled off just once without more detailed planning and understanding the race route.

Having said that, some of you may not know that the recent Powerman Malaysia RELAY category winner were disqualified as well...why? lets just say if the timing were true (that leads the relay team to winning the race), we could had a world class 5000m runner that could give the world record holder a run for their medal...like literally. Good that the organiser knew about it and taken the steps to disqualified them - but damage were done as the Men Relay Team has stepped onto the podium and obtained their moment of glory.

If you are planning to race and know you are a very strong runner or in contention to win something, do it right and do it honestly. If you lose, make sure you walk away with your head held high, and not being exposed and shamed in social media and being banned by organisers to ever take part anymore.

If you are in doubt about your own abilities and how you should approach sports, learn from my kids here.

Remember the Sportsman Prayer?

O God please help me to win for i always want to win,
But if in thy inscrutable wisdom thou willest me not to win,
Then make me a good loser.

For when the one great scorer comes to write against your name,
He writes,
Not that you won or lost,
But how you played the game.

And you cheaters in sports...you will forever be remembered on how you played your game.

Update December 7, 2013
The news has made it into Sin Chew and now, they are both shamed on national media. I say, well deserved (and about time!)

Read it full here : http://news.sinchew.com.my/node/337330?tid=1