Friday, December 06, 2013

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.


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

39 comments:

  1. and they taught no one will know

    ReplyDelete
  2. Unfortunately the results page at http://www.penangmarathon.gov.my/pbimsystem/ppanel_check.php?event=TkF3RT1CPTI= wont allow you to look up their names :(

    ReplyDelete
  3. Powerman Relay Results can check though;
    http://www.powerman.com.my/v14/results/2013/Pman13_Prelim_Results_25nov.htm

    ReplyDelete
  4. If B's bib was fake, this doesn't help anything for B because there will not be any timing for B to qualify for the Boston. I still don't understand how they pull it off.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. If they can replicate a bib that looked similiar, what makes us think they won't be able to find ways to replicate the timing chip?

      Delete
  5. But FM and HM route are not the same, the only time I saw FM runner is only when we were on the penang bridge and some distant after the bridge. Even so their check-in point is way ahead of HM on the bridge isn't it?

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. if want to get a legal timing. all the FM runner must pass starting line at 2am, and the HM runner must pass starting line at 3.15am? how to explain ah? if HM runner cross starting line @ 2am, thats mean his timing direct get disqualified right?

      Delete
    2. Passing the starting line is not a tough thing to do, you can run pass it, change, take motor, stop near timing point, run pass it, take motor again, run pass it...repeat...

      Delete
  6. Real Cheat!
    Better than the Singapore guy at SCSM.
    Malaysia Boleh!

    ReplyDelete
  7. You see, that is why we all not smart enough to cheat, because we all can't figure out how they did it...but they did it!

    ReplyDelete
  8. Just wonder how many more cheaters out there who are still survive...

    ReplyDelete
  9. This comment has been removed by the author.

    ReplyDelete
  10. If the live tracker is still available, we can check their result, split time and name by just key in the Bib number. Unfortunately, the tracker is not longer available after the official result was announced.

    ReplyDelete
  11. "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."
    ... so just show their faces as we want to see these so called malaysian elite runner, thank you.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=10151736889862400&set=a.10151736889462400.1073741843.82387457399&type=3&theater

      https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=10151743775032400&set=a.10151742379337400.1073741868.82387457399&type=1&theater

      Delete
    2. Tqvm! For the link of faces! Excellent!

      Delete
  12. https://www.dropbox.com/s/2js2bjc9gcc96lb/IMG_3482.JPG

    ReplyDelete
  13. https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=10151784204375382&set=a.10150932737800382.415526.591515381&type=1&theater

    ReplyDelete
  14. Hi tech cheats. Even this is getting complex huh!

    ReplyDelete
  15. Please be informed that all information and pictures published in this case regarding runners involved are FALSE and not TRUE. We has investigated and has dissolved this issue. Therefore, we advise the blog owner to remove all pictures and information immediately. Failing to do so, we will not hesitate to take legal action against the blog owner.

    By PBIM Organiser.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. if you're going to pretend to be an official speaking on behalf of PBIM, at least try to use proper grammar. suspicious this and the following comment were posted one after another.

      Delete
    2. yes, the grammar mistakes

      Delete
  16. Bro, what all this you published a false news!! How can you published such wrong info???

    ReplyDelete
  17. I have news as well...I took part in the PutraJaya Night Marathon 2013. I was told that this runner who ran the Half Marathon Veteran category with someone else bib number and finished 1st yet escape without any problem. This runner is currently the top Malaysian Jr. veteran runner from Penang. How could all this happen??? what is the organiser is doing??? Top runner doing this???

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. not all top runner do like this ok..

      Delete
  18. After reading the statement from the organiser, i think those both runners should take legal action against this tristupe.com owner. If i were them i will make him pay for the damage.

    ReplyDelete
  19. Yes i do agreed that a 3rd party publishing such image and information are not right. I strongly suggest that those runners to make a police report and take legal action, charge this blog owner in the court and make him pay for the damages. At the same time i would like to advise Tey Eng Tiong to take care of himself and his family other than being busy body on other people's life.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I strongly support you...those 2 runner's out there, lodge a police report and charge whoever published this rubbish information. Don't waste anymore time. Get a lawyer charge him in the court. Don't forget to charge Sin Chew as well before that check with PBIM first who published in the newspaper. If it's not PBIM, find out who did and charge all of them.

      Delete
    2. famous. cheating.

      me and my few friends.. ran the full and half marathon until both legs almost broken. to learn that this cheating from veteran runners. we feel disappointed to the max. seriously.

      Delete
  20. Hello anonymous, please explain on details how this was not a cheat.

    ReplyDelete
  21. Wahhh.. threaten the blog owner some more. If didnt cheat just prove it lo or go ahead make whatever report so that an official investigation of the cheat can be made know. There's no need to be a coward and make agressive statements..

    ReplyDelete
  22. Who are the Powerman cheats?? Has the results been updated?

    ReplyDelete
  23. To the cheaters, prove otherwise with facts/proof and not threats..... because you weren't able to, we already know you're the cheaters. Hence, waste of time unless otherwise proven so. Period.

    ReplyDelete
  24. Caught with pants down (aka two different bib) and still think all is ok.

    I guess there is no more dignity or integrity anymore.

    If the case wasn't a cheat, why did PBIM organiser disqualify the two, even with "legit" timing? There must be some reason or two, perhaps three reasons?

    Take care bro, my conscience is clear.

    ReplyDelete
  25. Interesting reading although i'm still amazed they could pull it off and indeed would go to such trouble. Is there monetary gain to be had from getting a place at Boston?

    ReplyDelete