Two male runners have been disqualified after allegedly competing under female identities in a major South African marathon, in a case that has sparked disciplinary action and potential multi-year bans for all four athletes involved.
The incident took place during the Two Oceans Marathon in Cape Town on April 12, where two women reportedly swapped race bibs with two male runners. The men went on to finish in the top 10 of the women’s half-marathon category before the irregularities were uncovered.
According to race officials, the men were initially recorded as finishing 7th and 10th in the women’s division, effectively displacing two legitimate female competitors from top positions before the results were corrected following an investigation.
Marathon board member Stuart Mann said the deception was discovered after social media images raised suspicions, including photos posted by one of the runners showing a bib displaying a female participant’s name. The findings led to immediate disqualification and correction of official standings.
One of the runners involved, Luke Jacobs, issued a written apology, admitting he had made a “judgment error” and should not have taken part. Officials said another participant, Tegan Garvey, acknowledged that she had handed her bib to a friend due to a hip injury prior to the race.
The female participants linked to the case, Larissa Parekh and Garvey, are also under scrutiny, with investigations focusing on how the bib exchanges were arranged. Parekh reportedly did not provide a clear explanation, while Garvey stated she was unable to compete due to sudden injury.
Race organisers stressed that bib swapping is strictly prohibited and raises both ethical concerns and safety risks, as emergency medical responders rely on accurate participant identification during events. Officials warned that incorrect identification could lead to serious consequences in the event of a medical emergency.
The case has since drawn wider attention within the running community, with organisers confirming that all four individuals involved could face bans of up to two years as disciplinary proceedings continue.
