The Orange County marathon in California always attracts a talented pool of runners, all vying for the coveted first place title. This year, Esteban Prado emerged as the frontrunner and maintained the lead for most of the race.
His father, who was on a bike, was there to support him and offer encouragement along the way. However, what was meant as a loving gesture between father and son would ultimately result in Prado being disqualified from the race.
Prado’s father had noticed his son was thirsty during the race and decided to bike alongside him to hand him a bottle of water. This act of kindness and support, however, was considered ‘unauthorized assistance’ according to US Track & Field rules and the race regulations. When race officials found out about the incident, they were forced to disqualify Prado, much to the disappointment of both the runner and his father.
While the disqualification was a devastating blow, Prado acknowledged that he was new to running marathons and wasn’t aware of this rule. He had trained extensively for four months leading up to the race and had put in a lot of hard work and dedication.
In his mind, he was still the true winner of the race. Despite losing his title, Prado remained humble and gracious, saying that the win didn’t matter as much to him as it did to the actual winner, Jason Yang.
On the other hand, Yang, who was declared the new marathon winner, also showed great sportsmanship by acknowledging that this was not the way he wanted to win. He believed in an even playing field for all competitors and understood the disappointment Prado must have felt. This gracious attitude is a testament to the spirit of sportsmanship and camaraderie that exists among marathon runners.
The community also showed their support for Prado, with many expressing their disappointment and disbelief over the disqualification. However, the race director Gary Kutschar defended the decision, stating that it was necessary to ensure fairness and the integrity of the event for all competitors. While the rules may seem strict, they are in place for a reason and must be respected by all athletes.
In the end, the disqualification did not take away from the fact that Prado had run an incredible race. He finished in an impressive time of 2 hours, 24 minutes, and 54 seconds, a testament to his dedication and hard work.
And while he may not have received any official recognition for his efforts, Prado’s determination and perseverance have not gone unnoticed by the public. He has proven himself to be a true champion in the face of adversity.
The incident also highlighted the importance of proper management at hydration stations during marathons. Prado’s father had mentioned that the volunteers seemed overwhelmed and could barely see him at certain turns. With the safety and well-being of the runners at stake, it is crucial that these stations are well-organized and properly managed to avoid any similar incidents in the future.
