Esteban Prado, a 24-year-old long distance runner, led for almost all of the 2 hours, 24 minutes and 54 seconds that he was on the 26.2 mile course of the Orange County Marathon in southern California on Saturday.
But the celebration for the Fountain Valley, California, man was short-lived when he found out that he had been disqualified from the race entirely for taking water from a family member during the race, according to ABC News’ Los Angeles station KABC.
“During yesterday’s Hoag OC Marathon, 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 & Field rules and our race regulations,” said Race Director Gary Kutschar in a statement obtained by ABC News. “We take these rules seriously to ensure fairness and the integrity of our event for all competitors.”
According to the rules, runners can only get water from official hydration stations and since he received water at an unauthorized part of the race, he was disqualified.
“I know I won,” Prado said in disbelief, according to KABC.
In only his second marathon, the runner said he spent about four months training for the marathon and was enjoying the spoils of victory when before he received a call from the race director, saying a competitor saw him get a water bottle during the race, KABC said.
