Great Bristol 10k / News
Winner of Bristol half-marathon disqualified as he was only meant to run 10k
The winner of the Bristol half marathon has been dramatically disqualified after race organisers realised that he was only meant to be running 10k.
Sunday’s races were combined into one Great Bristol Run event, with participants setting off at the same time for both distances.
Omer Ahmed signed up to run the 10k but he took a wrong turn when the course divided into two at Merchant’s Road in Hotwells, with the 13-mile route heading along the Portway and the 10k runners returning to the city centre.
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This meant that he accidentally completed – and won – the half marathon in a new personal best time of just over 63 minutes.
He was initially declared the winner but after objections from other athletes, he has now been disqualified.
Ahmed, who lives in Birmingham and runs for Birchfield Harriers, posted a winning time of 1:03:08, more than four minutes ahead of Chris Thompson in second place.
After an investigation by race organisers, Thompson – who represented Team GB at the Tokyo Olympics in the marathon – has now been declared the official winner with a time of 01:07:53.
Speaking to the Bristol Post after the race, Ahmed said: “At the beginning, I thought I was doing a 10k. Then I asked someone when I reached the sixth mile, ‘is this a 10k?’ and they said, ‘no, it’s a half marathon’.
“After that I slowed down a bit, so it’s amazing that I’ve set a new personal best.
“It feels great. I never expected to win! I think after this I will go and meet up with my clubmates.”
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In a statement released on Monday, Great Bristol Run organisers said: “Unfortunately, as (Ahmed) entered the 10k as an elite runner and not the half marathon, he was not officially part of the half marathon race.
“Ahmed went the wrong way when he reached the point where the course diverged for the two distances.”
Great Run Company chief executive, Paul Foster, said: “Rules are rules and in this case they say we have to disqualify Omar.
“We salute his performance, and he has been invited to take part in next week’s Great Manchester Run as an elite athlete.
“Of course, we also look forward to welcoming him back to Bristol for 2022’s Great Bristol Run.”
Main photo: Martin Booth
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