Running from the Law

By Melissa August, Val Castronovo, Matthew Cooper, Ellin Martens, Paruedee Nguitragool, Desa Philadelphia, Julie Rawe, Alain Sanders, Josh Tyrangiel

AND THE MEDAL FOR CHEATING...The marathon, the world's most grueling track event, seems to attract the most creative cheats:

Boston Marathon, 2000 Two competitors in the wheelchair race are disqualified when organizers discover that they are, in fact, able-bodied athletes.

Johannesburg Marathon, 1999 A runner sneaks into a portable toilet and switches numbers and clothes with his brother, then swaps outfits again and finishes the race.

Canadian International Marathon, 1998 Shafie Soheil allegedly jumps onto the Toronto course a few hundred yards from the finish. She requires an IV at the end. Pristine running clothes and no sign of her at water stations and video checkpoints tip off officials.

Los Angeles Marathon, 1997 Nadezhda Ilyina is stripped of her crown when she admits to cutting through a gas station mid-race in search of a bathroom.

Boston Marathon, 1997 A middle-aged couple win their respective age groups in near record times, but both are disqualified for not appearing on race tapes or seeming at all sweaty.