{"id":240456,"date":"2026-04-26T13:00:00","date_gmt":"2026-04-26T13:00:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/sports.runfyers.com\/index.php\/2026\/04\/26\/married-couple-caught-cheating-at-london-marathon-sparked-fury-from-runners\/"},"modified":"2026-04-26T13:00:00","modified_gmt":"2026-04-26T13:00:00","slug":"married-couple-caught-cheating-at-london-marathon-sparked-fury-from-runners","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/sports.runfyers.com\/index.php\/2026\/04\/26\/married-couple-caught-cheating-at-london-marathon-sparked-fury-from-runners\/","title":{"rendered":"Married couple caught &#8216;cheating&#8217; at London Marathon sparked fury from runners"},"content":{"rendered":"<p><\/p>\n<div id=\"article-body\">\n<h2 class=\"LeadText_lead-text__wd_PA __className_4f8be1\" data-testid=\"leadtext\">The couple caused outrage with their antics during the iconic race<\/h2>\n<p><button type=\"button\" class=\"SlideViewerButton_slide-viewer-button__BDJoG\" aria-label=\"Open image viewer\" aria-haspopup=\"dialog\" aria-controls=\"image-lightbox\"><\/p>\n<div class=\"ImageEmbed_image-embed__0T8WX ImageEmbed_image-lead__Ti3qQ\" data-testid=\"leadimage\" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-articleid=\"37059355\">\n<div class=\"ImageEmbed_image-container__2AIQm\">\n<figure class=\"Figure_figure__Uce4f\" style=\"--figure-aspect-ratio:1.5\"><\/figure>\n<\/div><figcaption class=\"ImageCaption_caption__j7HRu\" data-testid=\"image-caption\">\n<p aria-label=\"A general view of the London Marathon as runners cross Tower Bridge\" class=\"ImageCaption_caption-title__ccyQU\" data-testid=\"caption-title\">A general view of the London Marathon as runners cross Tower Bridge<cite aria-label=\"Image: Alan Crowhurst\/Getty Images\" class=\"ImageCaption_caption-credit__wlx1W\" data-testid=\"caption-credit\">(Image: Alan Crowhurst\/Getty Images)<\/cite><\/p>\n<\/figcaption><\/div>\n<p><\/button><\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\">A couple who completed the <a aria-label=\"\" class=\"TextLink_text-link__dBSS0 TextLink_enabled__dJF3l\" href=\"https:\/\/www.mirror.co.uk\/all-about\/london-marathon\" rel=\"follow noopener\" tabindex=\"0\" target=\"_self\">London Marathon<\/a> in 2021 faced <a aria-label=\"\" class=\"TextLink_text-link__dBSS0 TextLink_enabled__dJF3l\" href=\"https:\/\/www.mirror.co.uk\/sport\/other-sports\/london-marathon-married-couple-cheating-35131811\" rel=\"follow noopener\" tabindex=\"0\" target=\"_self\">a barrage of criticism<\/a> for &#8216;cheating&#8217; from angry social media users. At the time, Monika Czarnecka and her husband Piotr tackled <a aria-label=\"\" class=\"TextLink_text-link__dBSS0 TextLink_enabled__dJF3l\" href=\"https:\/\/www.mirror.co.uk\/lifestyle\/i-ran-london-marathon-made-36991209.amp\" rel=\"follow noopener\" tabindex=\"0\" target=\"_self\">the 26.2 miles<\/a> side-by-side and crossed the finishing line together.<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\">Social media users spotted a photograph of the couple that was shared online, which showed the pair <a aria-label=\"\" class=\"TextLink_text-link__dBSS0 TextLink_enabled__dJF3l\" href=\"https:\/\/www.mirror.co.uk\/3am\/celebrity-news\/london-marathon-celeb-cheats-jade-28101474\" rel=\"follow noopener\" tabindex=\"0\" target=\"_self\">running with identical registration numbers<\/a>, 11250, pinned to their chests.<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\">While they weren&#8217;t accused of &#8216;cheating&#8217; by cutting corners or falsifying their times, it emerged that only Ms Czarnecka was officially registered to participate in the race. Piotr later admitted<a aria-label=\"\" class=\"TextLink_text-link__dBSS0 TextLink_enabled__dJF3l\" href=\"https:\/\/www.mirror.co.uk\/news\/uk-news\/couple-caught-cheating-london-marathon-25204622\" rel=\"follow noopener\" tabindex=\"0\" target=\"_self\"> that he hadn&#8217;t secured a place,<\/a> but had duplicated the number so he could gain access to the course and offer moral support to his wife.<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\"><strong class=\"Strong_strong__e2x35\">JOIN US ON FACEBOOK! <a aria-label=\"\" class=\"TextLink_text-link__dBSS0 TextLink_enabled__dJF3l\" href=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/mirrorfootball\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" tabindex=\"0\" target=\"\">Latest news, analysis and much more on Mirror Football&#8217;s Facebook page<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\">This sparked outrage on social media, particularly among those who had been unsuccessful in securing a place in the demanding event.<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\">Out of more than 40,000 runners taking part in the capital, Ms Czarnecka came in 21,697th, finishing the race in four hours, 40 minutes and 58 seconds. Typically, the number of applicants who are rejected for the marathon runs into the hundreds of thousands.<\/p>\n<p><span data-testid=\"readmore\" class=\"ReadMore_readmore-prefix__xS44r __className_6edd97\">READ MORE<!-- -->: <span class=\"ReadMore_readmore-link__eF9pN\"><a class=\"TextLink_text-link__dBSS0 TextLink_enabled__dJF3l\" data-tmdatatrack=\"read-more\" data-tmdatatrack-articleid=\"37064829\" data-tmdatatrack-source=\"editorial\" href=\"https:\/\/www.mirror.co.uk\/sport\/other-sports\/best-london-marathon-2026-running-37064829\" tabindex=\"0\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Best London Marathon 2026 running gear: Top picks from Nike, adidas, Apple and more<\/a><\/span><\/span><span data-testid=\"readmore\" class=\"ReadMore_readmore-prefix__xS44r __className_6edd97\">READ MORE<!-- -->: <span class=\"ReadMore_readmore-link__eF9pN\"><a class=\"TextLink_text-link__dBSS0 TextLink_enabled__dJF3l\" data-tmdatatrack=\"read-more\" data-tmdatatrack-articleid=\"37063032\" data-tmdatatrack-source=\"editorial\" href=\"https:\/\/www.mirror.co.uk\/sport\/football\/news\/london-marathon-2027-ballot-apply-37063032\" tabindex=\"0\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">How to apply for London Marathon 2027: Ballot open and close dates and entry fee<\/a><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\">Responding to the anger provoked by Piotr running the marathon without being registered, Ms Czarnecka told the Mail: &#8220;I&#8217;m truly sorry for what we&#8217;ve done and didn&#8217;t want to cause any harm. The supporters were amazing, and their cheering and clapping helped me finish the marathon.<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\">&#8220;It hurts to think that I&#8217;ve let them down. This was my first marathon and I needed Piotr&#8217;s support because I was worried sick that I wouldn&#8217;t be able to finish it.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\">Piotr also said: &#8220;It was all my idea and I take full responsibility for it. I know it&#8217;s wrong and I&#8217;m truly sorry, but I did what I did to support my wife.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\">At the time, a spokesperson from the London Marathon said: &#8220;We are aware of the images that show two runners wearing identical numbers, and we are investigating. We take any incident where a participant cheats or forges numbers extremely seriously.&#8221;<\/p>\n<div data-testid=\"image-group\"><button type=\"button\" class=\"SlideViewerButton_slide-viewer-button__BDJoG\" aria-label=\"Open image viewer\" aria-haspopup=\"dialog\" aria-controls=\"image-lightbox\"><\/p>\n<div class=\"ImageEmbed_image-embed__0T8WX false\" data-testid=\"imageembed-37065417\" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-articleid=\"37065417\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"image\">\n<div class=\"ImageEmbed_image-container__2AIQm\">\n<figure class=\"Figure_figure__Uce4f\" style=\"--figure-aspect-ratio:1.5\"><img decoding=\"async\" alt=\"TCS London Marathon 2025\" loading=\"lazy\" sizes=\"(max-width: 458px) 458px, (max-width: 615px) 615px, 1200px\" src=\"https:\/\/i2-prod.mirror.co.uk\/article37065417.ece\/ALTERNATES\/s1200e\/0_TCS-London-Marathon-2025.jpg\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i2-prod.mirror.co.uk\/article37065417.ece\/ALTERNATES\/s458b\/0_TCS-London-Marathon-2025.jpg 458w, https:\/\/i2-prod.mirror.co.uk\/article37065417.ece\/ALTERNATES\/s615b\/0_TCS-London-Marathon-2025.jpg 615w, https:\/\/i2-prod.mirror.co.uk\/article37065417.ece\/ALTERNATES\/s1200e\/0_TCS-London-Marathon-2025.jpg 1200w\"\/><\/figure>\n<\/div><figcaption class=\"ImageCaption_caption__j7HRu\" data-testid=\"image-caption\">\n<p aria-label=\"Hundreds of thousands of applications to compete in the marathon are rejected every year\" class=\"ImageCaption_caption-title__ccyQU\" data-testid=\"caption-title\">Hundreds of thousands of applications to compete in the marathon are rejected every year<cite aria-label=\"Image: Getty\" class=\"ImageCaption_caption-credit__wlx1W\" data-testid=\"caption-credit\">(Image: Getty)<\/cite><\/p>\n<\/figcaption><\/div>\n<p><\/button><\/div>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\">Outraged social media users were quick to pile on the couple, with one writing: &#8220;I&#8217;ve had 9 rejections in 9 years. This kind of thing is incredibly frustrating. Next year is my last chance. I&#8217;m not holding out any hope.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\">Another fumed: &#8220;It&#8217;s not fair if we are paying around \u00a3200 for a charity place, stressing raising \u00a32k, and you get virtuals or fakes on course really.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\">Responding to the backlash his choice to run alongside his wife had sparked, Piotr added: &#8220;I didn&#8217;t collect a medal, I was just there to support Monika. The race was like a walk for me because my marathon times are a lot quicker. I&#8217;ve run two London Marathons in the past so this one just gone was not about racing.<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\">&#8220;It was all about my wife. People are behaving as if we&#8217;ve committed a serious crime and are treating us worse than athletes who&#8217;ve been caught for drug cheating.&#8221;<\/p>\n<div class=\"AffiliateContentsEmbed_affiliate-contents-container__oTiet\" data-testid=\"affiliate-contents-embed\">\n<div data-testid=\"affiliate-content\" class=\"AffiliateContent_affiliate-content-container__10EX_ affiliate-content\">\n<p>Sky Sports discounted Premier League and EFL package<\/p>\n<div class=\"AffiliateDisclaimer_affiliate-disclaimer__dG5ST\">\n<div class=\"AffiliateDisclaimer_affiliate-text__8nmDa\">This article contains affiliate links, we will receive a commission on any sales we generate from it. <a href=\"https:\/\/www.mirror.co.uk\/affiliates\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Learn more<\/a><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"AffiliateContent_section-container__JMDzM AffiliateContent_content-details__U6C2M AffiliateContent_has-content-img___LY95\">\n<div class=\"AffiliateContent_section-content__QCkL9\">\n<div class=\"AffiliateContent_content-image__FxPNL\"><img decoding=\"async\" alt=\"Content Image\" fetchpriority=\"auto\" src=\"https:\/\/i2-prod.mirror.co.uk\/article33374947.ece\/ALTERNATES\/s510b\/0_Sky-Factbox.jpg\"\/><\/div>\n<div class=\"AffiliateContent_content-price-details__OpMC_\">\n<p>\u00a343<\/p>\n<p>\u00a335<\/p>\n<p>Sky<\/p>\n<p><a class=\"AffiliateContent_content-buy-btn__xWiVO buy-btn\" aria-label=\"Buy button\" href=\"https:\/\/www.awin1.com\/cread.php?awinmid=11005&amp;awinaffid=213635&amp;platform=dl&amp;ued=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.sky.com%2Fdeals\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noreferrer noopener\">Get the deal here<\/a><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"AffiliateContent_section-container__JMDzM\">\n<div id=\"product-description\" class=\"AffiliateContent_section-content__QCkL9\">\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\">Sky has slashed the price of its Essential TV and Sky Sports bundle ahead of the 2025\/26 season, saving members \u00a3192 and offering more than 1,400 live matches across the Premier League, EFL and more.<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\">Sky will show at least 215 live Premier League games next season, an increase of up to 100 more.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.mirror.co.uk\/sport\/other-sports\/athletics\/london-marthon-cheating-couple-race-37065418\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Source link <\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>The couple caused outrage with their antics during the iconic race A general view of the London Marathon as runners cross Tower Bridge(Image: Alan Crowhurst\/Getty Images) A couple who completed the London Marathon in 2021 faced a barrage of criticism for &#8216;cheating&#8217; from angry social media users. At the time, Monika Czarnecka and her husband [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":240457,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"tdm_status":"","tdm_grid_status":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[6802],"tags":[52384,58619],"class_list":{"0":"post-240456","1":"post","2":"type-post","3":"status-publish","4":"format-standard","5":"has-post-thumbnail","7":"category-athetics","8":"tag-london-marathon","9":"tag-london-marathon-race"},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/sports.runfyers.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/240456","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/sports.runfyers.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/sports.runfyers.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/sports.runfyers.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/sports.runfyers.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=240456"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/sports.runfyers.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/240456\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/sports.runfyers.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/240457"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/sports.runfyers.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=240456"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/sports.runfyers.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=240456"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/sports.runfyers.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=240456"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}