Running News Daily

What was meant to be another routine training run for a respected veteran athlete ended in heartbreak after an incident just meters from the finish line left him injured and forced him to abandon his dream of competing in one of Latin America's biggest marathons.

José Julio Mendoza, affectionately known as Don José in his hometown, had spent weeks preparing for the 43rd Mexico City Marathon, scheduled for August 30. The experienced runner, who has completed more than 55 races over the years, entered the annual Carrera de Colores (Color Run) in Huamantla, Tlaxcala, as part of his final preparations.

Although all official race entries had sold out before he could register, Mendoza chose to run the course without a bib number. He understood that he was ineligible for medals, official results or prizes and simply wanted the event to serve as another valuable training session ahead of the prestigious marathon.

Instead, his preparation came to a devastating halt.

With the finish line almost within reach, video footage shows Mendoza just a couple of meters from completing the race when a race official suddenly stepped directly into his path. The unexpected collision sent the veteran runner crashing backwards onto the pavement in front of stunned spectators.

The incident, captured on video and widely shared across Mexican social media, sparked immediate outrage. Many viewers questioned why physical force had been used instead of allowing the runner to cross the finish before addressing the registration issue.

Even more striking was what happened next. Rather than receiving immediate assistance from race officials, Mendoza was helped to his feet by fellow runners and spectators. He was later treated for a shoulder injury and underwent medical examinations after doctors suspected a possible fracture or shoulder dislocation.

Running without official registration—commonly referred to as "banditing"—has long been a challenge for race organizers around the world. Entry limits are carefully established to match available medical services, hydration stations, insurance coverage and safety resources. While organizers have a legitimate responsibility to prevent unauthorized participation, the incident has reignited debate over how such situations should be handled without compromising athlete safety.

The staff member involved was later identified as an employee of Zona T, the private company responsible for organizing the event. Following widespread criticism, he released a public video accepting responsibility and apologizing for his actions.

Zona T also issued a formal apology, acknowledging the seriousness of the incident and promising to review its finish-area procedures to prevent similar occurrences in the future. Meanwhile, the mayor of Huamantla clarified that the municipal government had provided only logistical support for the event, adding that any potential legal issues should be handled by the relevant authorities.

Despite the emotional and physical setback, Mendoza chose a path of reconciliation. After reaching an agreement with the family of the staff member, who committed to covering his medical expenses, the veteran runner confirmed he would not pursue legal action.

The injury, however, carries a far greater cost than medical treatment.

Mendoza had been preparing to compete in the veterans' division at the 43rd Mexico City Marathon, an event expected to attract around 30,000 runners. His shoulder injury has now ruled him out of the race, bringing an abrupt and painful end to months of disciplined preparation.

For a runner whose only intention was to sharpen his fitness, the final few meters of an unofficial training run proved far more significant than anyone could have imagined—turning a hopeful build-up to one of Mexico's greatest road races into one of the sport's most unfortunate stories of the year.