A Fountain Valley man was disqualified Sunday as winner of the OC Marathon
for receiving water from his dad during a grueling race that he led for
most of the 26.2-mile course.

Esteban Prado, who spent months training for the marathon, received water
from a spectator � his dad � in violation of a rule that participants can
only get water at official hydration stations.

"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," race director Gary Kutschar said in a
statement. "We take these rules seriously to ensure fairness and the
integrity of our event for all competitors.�

Jason Yang of San Pedro was declared the men's marathon winner in 2 hours,
25 minutes, 11 seconds.

Prado said he is relatively new to marathon running, but had high hopes
entering Sunday's race after months of rigorous preparation.

"About like a three- to four-month period of just 100-mile week
trainings," Prado said. "Just kind of balancing that with work, and also
just including that in the weekend.

Prado led for most of the 26.2-mile course.

�Because I was first place, a lot of the volunteers were just like
scrambling," Prado said. "By the time I got there, they were... grabbing
the water. So a lot of the time the water stations, they really had
nothing for me.�

Prado said he wasn't aware that receiving water from a spectator, family
in this case, was not allowed.

Yang crossed the line 17 seconds after Prado.

In her first marathon, Gabriella Smith of Lynchburg, Virginia was the
women's winner in 3:05:30, 12 seconds ahead of Annika Mellquist of
Gardena.

The race served as the national championship for the Road Runners Club of
America, the nation's oldest and largest distance running organization.
The event drew 3,500 entrants.

There were seven water/hydration stations on the front half of the course
and another eight stations on the second half, according to the marathon's
web site. Electrolyte drinks were available at some of the stations.

The marathon course began in front of the VEA Marriott Resort Hotel & Spa
and ended at the OC Fair and Event Center in Costa Mesa.

Read the lies in his statement.

"Prado led for most of the 26.2-mile course."

If he led, there is no crowd at the hydration station for 20 seconds or
more when he got there.

�Because I was first place, a lot of the volunteers were just like
scrambling," Prado said. "By the time I got there, they were... grabbing
the water. So a lot of the time the water stations, they really had
nothing for me.�

Not if you're leading. You get the first cup.

"Prado said he wasn't aware that receiving water from a spectator, family
in this case, was not allowed."

He didn't read the rules.

https://www.nbcbayarea.com/news/national-international/runner-
disqualified-winner-oc-marathon-water/3531515/