Marathon winner disqualified for accepting drink of water from his dad during race
A marathon winner has been stripped of his crown after accepting a drink of water from his dad during the race.
You'd think having a drink of water to stay hydrated while running a marathon would be a given, but the method in which Esteban Prado obtained fluids broke the rules and got him disqualified.
The 24-year-old won the Orange County Marathon in 2 hours, 24 minutes and 54 seconds on Sunday (5 May).
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But Prado was disqualified shortly after he crossed the line following his father's involvement being deemed as 'unauthorized assistance'.
The marathon runner seemingly had his father’s help on keeping him hydrated on three separate occasions, as per footage obtained by NBC Los Angeles.
One clip shows Prado leading the field of runners before approaching his dad who sat atop a bicycle and offered water as the pair both travelled down the course together.
Prado seemingly ran past at least three workers who extended their arms to offer water bottles too before meeting up with his dad.
Speaking to NBC Los Angeles, Prado said: "Because I was first place, a lot of the volunteers were just like scrambling.
"By the time I got there, they were… grabbing the water. So a lot of the time the water stations, they really had nothing for me."
According to the USATF rulebook, runners are only allowed to receive water from the designated hydration stations along the race route.
In a statement, race director Gary Kutschar said: "During yesterday’s Hoag OC Marathon, we were forced to disqualify a participant after it was confirmed they received unauthorized assistance from an individual on a bicycle, in violation of USA Track & Field rules and our race regulations.
"We take these rules seriously to ensure fairness and the integrity of our event for all competitors."
Prado wasn't aware he could be facing disqualification in his second marathon for taking water from his family.
He also claimed race workers were unprepared at the hydration stations.
Kutschar told the Sacramento Bee: "We have videos showing him passing water stations and not taking the Gatorade or water but receiving it in a bottle from a guy on a bicycle."
ABC reports that the race bosses broke the disqualification to Prado over the phone after a competitor witnessed him get a water bottle from his during the race.
Jason Yang, a 33-year-old from California, was awarded the victory after originally coming in second place and 17 seconds behind Prado.
It marked Yang's third marathon win.
Despite this, Prado insists he is still the true winner, telling ABC News: "I know I won."
Topics: Sport, US News, Food and Drink, Community, Los Angeles
Callum Jones