Frank Meza 2:53:10 at LA Marathon (70 years old) unofficial time (just finished)

Lip Kitten wrote:

Page 38117 wrote:

Need hi res to confirm, but:

3017_609860 Look above gap between x in Finisherpix and 2 in 2019

3017_609861 Look above i and x in Finisherpix

3017_609862 Look above p in Finisherpix

3017_609863 Look above p in Finisherpix

https://www.finisherpix.com/gallery/photobrowser/en/USD/3017#All/All/38117

If that is Meza, he was off the course for quite a while because 21192 finished almost 10 minutes ahead of Meza. Someone posted earlier that the photos are from near Ocean Ave and Palisades Ave (approximately mile 25.7).

Frank shows up on the course in 3017_610085.

I think there’s a good possibility that those photos are of Frank. But I don’t think hi-res will help. Very blurry and can’t follow the figure onto the course.

Just thinking about how this event is unfolding and I’m dumbfounded by the chasm between how Frank reacted to the accusation and how someone would react if they were innocent; if they really trained hard and ran one of the fastest marathons (certified or not) for their age in the history of the sport and knew they were capable of repeating it, or running close to it.

“I just do this for fun” and “disqualify me if you want to” -type answers would not be in the range of a normal reaction.

I think it’s all groundwork to gaslight his friends and other runners. “I ran the whole race... these lunatic vigilantes found photos of me after I peed or had to stretch... fighting them isn’t worth it... I just do this for fun... I don’t know if I’ll race again now that they took the joy out of it... nagging injury...”

And in a polite society most people will smile and nod. Some will even believe him. Others, who know he’s lying through his teeth, will avoid confrontation. It’ll take a special person to look him in the eye and call him a f-ing cheater to his face.

Wrong Email Address wrote:

Here, Here Brooklyn wrote:

I strongly encourage anyone who cares about the LA Marathon doing the right thing to email your concerns to:

alex.barboza@gocongur.com

Alex Barboza

Event Operations

Conqur Endurance Group

I received an email response from him acknowledging my concerns and stating that they are currently reviewing the situation.

You didn't receive a response from that email address because you typed it in wrong. You put in a "g" instead of a "q".

Still, no harm done. In trying to find the correct address I found the email of the CEO of the Conqur group and messaged her instead:

tracey.russell@goconqur.com

I also emailed the Chief Operating Officer for good measure:

murphy.reinschreiber@goconqur.com

.

.

nice catch. Again, The pressure needs to be put on these Race Directors/Organizers and hold them directly accountable to DQ. For goodness sakes, he admitted his peeing transgression (which ironically he probably didn't do) and the "stretching" pics. Let's go. Do right by your race and the sport.

brooklyn123 wrote:

Wrong Email Address wrote:

You didn't receive a response from that email address because you typed it in wrong. You put in a "g" instead of a "q".

Still, no harm done. In trying to find the correct address I found the email of the CEO of the Conqur group and messaged her instead:

tracey.russell@goconqur.com

I also emailed the Chief Operating Officer for good measure:

murphy.reinschreiber@goconqur.com

.

.

nice catch. Again, The pressure needs to be put on these Race Directors/Organizers and hold them directly accountable to DQ. For goodness sakes, he admitted his peeing transgression (which ironically he probably didn't do) and the "stretching" pics. Let's go. Do right by your race and the sport.

I’m sure we all generally agree that races are hesitant to DQ because they fear legal ramifications (a defamation suit). I’d love to see the age-group runner-up tell them, “Apply your rules, DQ him and name me as winner or I’ll see you in court.” I know I’d consider that and I know a dozen lawyers who would file for me pro bono because they would find it entertaining.

The runner-up would have standing, the race owes him a duty to care, that duty is being breached in my opinion, there are damages, etc. I think it’s a viable suit.

Let's be clear. Frank's mania probably went in hyper drive after he saw this article naming him the #2 best 65-69 year old runner IN THE WORLD. Mind you he WAS DQ'd by CIM at this race so horrible job by Runner's World and its authors. What were they thinking by not checking the final results and who gave them the phony time? Frank?

M65–69 (2014 Runners of the Year)

1. Lloyd Hansen (66, UT)

5K, Murray July 4 5K, 18:29

2. Frank Meza (65, CA)

Marathon, California International Marathon, 2:52:33

3. William Dixon (66, VT)

5K, An Ras Mor, 18:20

https://www.runnersworld.com/advanced/a20848209/2014-masters-long-distance-runners-of-the-year/

I think the narrative around legal ramifications give the race directors a crutch they shouldn't have. There's no legal ramifications when he publicly admits to a violation clearly stated in the rules. You're correct, though that it may float through their minds but legal counsel would point out the "other side" issue that if they don't DQ their whole enterprise is built on a fraud (i.e., the LA Marathon follows all USATF rules, all local laws, LA Marathon regulations, etc, etc..). So your're spot on: the 4th - 2nd place runners should absolutely put all of the races on notice.

brooklyn123 wrote:

I think the narrative around legal ramifications give the race directors a crutch they shouldn't have. There's no legal ramifications when he publicly admits to a violation clearly stated in the rules. You're correct, though that it may float through their minds but legal counsel would point out the "other side" issue that if they don't DQ their whole enterprise is built on a fraud (i.e., the LA Marathon follows all USATF rules, all local laws, LA Marathon regulations, etc, etc..). So your're spot on: the 4th - 2nd place runners should absolutely put all of the races on notice.

Anyone local know these guys?

DAN ADAMS

Marathon Open - M/70

PINON HILLS, CA

4:10:07

MAREK MALOLEPSZY

Marathon Open - M/72

TUJUNGA, CA

4:11:08

MAREK MALOLEPSZY

Marathon Open - M/72

TUJUNGA, CA

4:11:08

The M70-74 was actually a close race if you remove the cheater.

Faraway wrote:

Anyone local know these guys?

DAN ADAMS

Marathon Open - M/70

PINON HILLS, CA

4:10:07

MAREK MALOLEPSZY

Marathon Open - M/72

TUJUNGA, CA

4:11:08

ROBERT LAUTZ

Marathon Open - M/70

BEVERLY HILLS, CA

4:14:53

The M70-74 was actually a close race if you remove the cheater.

My paste button must have stuck.

Animalmom wrote:

This guy is a physician who evidently spends a great deal of time being a cheating megalomaniac.

He is mentor to children.

If my doctor went to these lengths to be dishonest and unethical I’d want to know and he wouldn’t be my doctor

I wouldn’t want him around my kid

I am amazed people think he shouldn’t be exposed

Reminds me of a British pension fund manager. There was a way for him to get in a train at a certain point going to London and and save a few pounds. The guys was rich. He got caught and suspended and found unfit to be licensed in the financial markets

This is a million times worse. I can assure you if he worked for my company compliance would sack someone gullty if this on morals and ethics grounds

I remember in undergrad (Bio major) the biggest cheaters in my circle were the ones who went on to med school.

Anyway, the hubris and arrogance of Frank Meza is astounding. The guy has obviously been at this for a while, and probably would have kept getting away with it, but he just flew too close to the sun. Smashed right into it, honestly. Setting an age group record, and you think no one's gonna notice and believe it's all legit? The nuts on this guy.

Ditto in my experience. Money and status drive too many in the medical field.

I've been staying out if this, but since you brought up the RnR Montreal, jez do this Canadians cheat!!! Like you said, multiple out and backs at the end and I too kept passing the same runners, over and over and over. Cheating is everywhere for races. Those guys are the WORST!!! Between old men taking T to course cutting, cheating is endemic to hobby joggers.

Faraway wrote:

Faraway wrote:

Anyone local know these guys?

DAN ADAMS

Marathon Open - M/70

PINON HILLS, CA

4:10:07

MAREK MALOLEPSZY

Marathon Open - M/72

TUJUNGA, CA

4:11:08

ROBERT LAUTZ

Marathon Open - M/70

BEVERLY HILLS, CA

4:14:53

The M70-74 was actually a close race if you remove the cheater.

My paste button must have stuck.

This is the fourth placed guy. Note 70 years old and based in California. Sounds a formidable fella too from his resume' if he decided to take on L.A. Marathon.

Robert Lautz email address found here:

http://www.stcloudcapital.com/our-team/

Third place finisher on Facebook.

https://www.facebook.com/marek.malolepszy.3

First, I am not Frank. At least I don't think I am. And since we are on the subject, I identify by the pronouns him, he, yo, and sometimes FM.

But seriously, you are misunderstanding my intent. Yes, this matters and it matters a lot, and I agree with you. But to most people (i.e.: non-runners), they aren't going to understand this as much more than a mild curiousity. If he were a world record holder at an age representative of Olympians, then yes, they would really care. But most people aren't going to think that a 70 year old who cuts the course on a marathon is all that big a sin. Oh, but a world record is involved, you say. But most people don't even understand that there is such a thing as an age group world record, esp. for an age when it's a major accomplishment just to be able to run!

To runners, this is a big deal, and we know that. He's obviously guilty and what he did is really reprehensible.

But I was responding to how he should be discredited at work, and made to pay in that fashion. In that context, I only wanted to suggest that he probably won't be at work for more than a few more months, at his age. And amongst his co-workers, acquaintances, family, and friends - i doubt they would care nearly as much as we as runners do, even though they should.

Okay? Do I still need to be "ashamed"?

This is the one wrote:

[quote]Roderick Powell wrote:

They know and they don't care

RE: An Essay - BAA half right, lower times encourage competition but more cheating too 11/25/2015 12:32PM - in reply to somebloke

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I've been staying out if this, but since you brought up the RnR Montreal, jez do this Canadians cheat!!! Like you said, multiple out and backs at the end and I too kept passing the same runners, over and over and over. Cheating is everywhere for races. Those guys are the WORST!!! Between old men taking T to course cutting, cheating is endemic to hobby joggers.

LOL Endemic to hobby joggers? Have you paid any attention to the sport of running. Every month some elite runner gets popped for PEDs. I don't think there has been an Olympics in the past 50 years that hasn't had at least one elite runner get popped for PEDs.

There are millions of hobby joggers with maybe 1000 cheaters while it seems that nearly ever runner at the elite level is trying to game the system. It's hard to shame a few pathetic and psychotic hobby jogger losers cheating in a sport where the leaders are truly professional cheaters.

Agree, the professional/sponsored cheaters are the worst. And since many are also for charity, no telling how much less charitable work gets done now that so many turned out to be scams.

Cheating is Professional wrote:

There are millions of hobby joggers with maybe 1000 cheaters while it seems that nearly ever runner at the elite level is trying to game the system. It's hard to shame a few pathetic and psychotic hobby jogger losers cheating in a sport where the leaders are truly professional cheaters.

Going on a tangent here, not necessarily responding directly to you, but ya know what's even more sad are the hobby joggers that dope. There's nothing on the line, no profits or sponsorships, just ego and bragging rights from winning the occasional local race. Putting your body at risk just because you suck, and it all amounts to nothing. Now that's pathetic. I rank it lower than course cutters, who are already pretty sad.

He's using the same MO as 2018. wrote:

Frank can't run and he can't hide.

On the google news running feed today, Derek’s Friday article is coming up. Be interesting to see if it generates more traction.