A man and woman have both received a lifetime ban from the Shanghai International Marathon for cheating in this month’s event, New Straits Times reports. In a foolhardy move, the woman not only sported another man’s bib number but she was even spotted using a bicycle during the race.



While the man didn’t technically break the rules, he was aware of the woman’s actions and is being punished for not speaking up. Suffice it to say, the records of both offenders will be wiped from this year’s marathon and neither will ever be able to participate again.

According to a statement released by organizers of the event, the woman, surnamed Zhao, “seriously disturbed the order of the race.”

READ MORE: 7 Men Race as Women in Shanghai Marathon, Get Results Wiped

A total of four participants were penalized for misconduct during this year’s event.

Both Zhao and the man have been banned for life from all marathons and may receive additional penalties from China's athletics association. In addition, the original bib holder is barred from participating for two years. In an unrelated case, another person was banned for two years for wearing someone else’s bib number.

READ MORE: 258 Punished For Cheating in Shenzhen Half Marathon

This isn’t the first time marathon runners have been caught breaking the rules in China. In March, another woman was punished for using a bike at the Xuzhou International Marathon. Last year, 258 participants in a marathon in Shenzhen were caught cheating, mainly taking shortcuts or wearing fake bibs.

[Cover image via Beijing News]