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Marathon winner disqualified after taking, drinking water from dad during race

The winner of a marathon was disqualified after taking and drinking water from his father during the race.

According to PEOPLE, 24-year-old Esteban Prado initially finished in first place in the Orange County Marathon on Sunday. Per the publication, he crossed the finish line with a time of 2 hours, 24 minutes and 54 seconds, but was disqualified soon after.

USA Today reported that Prado's father rode up to the former winner on a bike and gave him water during the competition. Organizers also said that Prado drank from the bottle, which violated the USA Track and Field rulebook, according to the publication.

Per USA Today, citing the rulebook, competitors may only use water from official hydration stations or if it's carried or attached to the runner from the beginning of the race, with no outside drinks being permitted without permission from the judges or referees.

Race director Gary Kutscher issued the following statement to USA Today:

"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 and Field rules and our race regulations. We take these rules seriously to ensure fairness and the integrity of our event for all competitors."

Prado spoke with KABC, and said that he wasn't aware of the rule regarding taking water from spectators, adding that only the second place runner could have seen him drink it.

"Whenever I got to these stations, the volunteers were scrambling because I'm the only runner in sight," Prado told KABC. "You could barely see me, like, at certain turns."

Prado went on to tell KABC's reporters that he didn't lose much from the decision.

"I don't want to argue over something that's 15 minutes away from you, you get no money or anything. You know, if he wanted that congratulations for that first place, if he really felt like he needed it, it's just for him at the end of the day," Prado told the station. "I really got nothing out of it. I know I won."

Per KABC, Jason Yang of San Pedro was declared the winner with a time of 2 hours, 25 minutes and 11 seconds.

Organizers of the annual Marathon du Médoc have announced that the 36th edition of the race, due to be held in September, will be postponed to 2021

The organizers of the famous wine run, which takes in the vineyards of the Médoc in Bordeaux as part of a 26.2 mile circuit, said the decision to postpone was the “most important decision” taken since the event’s creation.

The marathon, which was due to be held on 12 September this year, will now take place on 11 September 2021.

In a statement, those responsible for the event said the decision had been made after consulting with local authorities, the medical community, association members, volunteers, and representatives from Médoc wineries.

They said that the “unanimous” decision was to postpone the event given the necessary physical distancing that would need to take place, in addition to general uncertainty regarding the progression of the pandemic.

The 2021 event will still have the same cinema theme as was planned for this year.

The statement continued: “[The decision] was taken with sadness and sorrow among the entire team of volunteers, but it is also the most reasonable for the health of all.

“We wanted to announce this postponement as soon as possible so that everyone can make his arrangements, we will come back to you in the coming weeks to inform you of the terms of this postponement.”

Those who paid to enter this year’s event will be given free access to one of three future marathons.

Created in 1985, the Marathon du Médoc charts a scenic route through the region’s vineyards, beginning and ending in Pauillac. There are live orchestras stationed around the course, while runners are able to partake in 23 wine tasting stops, as well as an oyster tasting at the 38th kilometre and steak at the 39th kilometer point.