Two men participated in Women-only half-marathon: Pretended to be females
How the runners entered the women’s race
According to Digi24’s April 17 report, two men were initially listed among the top 10 finishers in the women’s race at the Two Oceans event in South Africa. They were later removed from the standings after organizers found they had raced with bib numbers assigned to female entrants. The two men finished seventh and 10th, results that briefly pushed legitimate women runners out of those places.
The race is not a minor local event. The Two Oceans weekend includes an ultra marathon and a half marathon, draws more than 16,000 participants, and is one of the country’s best known road running fixtures. In a field of that size, a top 10 place carries real weight for runners, clubs, and official results.
Who was identified in the investigation
According to AP reporter Mogomotsi Magome’s report, the runners were identified as Luke Jacobs and Nic Bradfield. AP reported that officials said Jacobs ran with a bib assigned to Larissa Parekh, while Bradfield used one assigned to Tegan Garvey. After the disqualifications, the two women who had been edged out of the top 10 were recognized in the corrected standings.
The same report said the case was uncovered by Stuart Mann, a member of the Two Oceans Marathon board. Mann said all four people tied to the bib swaps could face disciplinary action, with possible bans from the race. Garvey said she handed over her bib after a hip problem left her unable to run, while Parekh did not give a clear explanation, according to AP.
Read also: Premier League referee kept from officiating club after controversial VAR incident
Why the disciplinary case matters
According to the Two Oceans Marathon race pack rules, race numbers and timing chips are strictly non transferable. The same rules say anyone who breaks that rule can be disqualified and may face a ban of at least two years. That makes this more than a results dispute, it is a direct breach of race rules tied to identity, timing, safety, and prize eligibility.
AP also reported that Mann described bib swapping as more than an ethical issue. He said it can create medical risks because emergency teams may be working with the wrong runner details if something goes wrong on the course. That point sharpens the fallout around this case, because the damage was not limited to the women who lost official places before the results were corrected.
How a top 10 result turned into a rules case
AP reported that online photos helped expose one of the swaps after observers noticed Jacobs wearing a bib that displayed the name “Larissa.” From there, officials traced the entries, linked the bibs to the registered female runners, and moved the matter into the disciplinary process.
For the athletes who finished behind them, the correction matters. A top 10 finish in a race of this size is a serious competitive result, and the official record now reflects that the women who earned those places on the road should not have lost them to runners who were not eligible to be in that category.
Read also: Reports: Iran star striker kicked off national team for perceived disloyalty
Sources: Digi24, AP, Two Oceans Marathon rules
Read also: Wolves relegated from Premier League after eight years
