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

Bye Bye FM at LAM 2019 wrote:

https://www.lamarathon.com/news/disqualification-notice

I'm just helping the page rank for this great news!

Spread the word!

Fine job by LAM. They reached an evidence based conclusion that leaves no doubt, and released the news in a very matter of fact presser.

We'll never know, but I wonder if they also uncovered evidence of the "how he did it."

Absolutely.

I hope that other RDs will follow soon, especially the Sprouts Mesa-PHX Marathon 2019. On the other hand this DQ is a breakthrough. Who will trust in any result of this guy?

According to Derek's last article this happened, quote:

"On Saturday morning, Frank addressed the Loyola HS Track Team at practice. Frank denied that he cut any courses and told the team that he would prove himself at Chicago – reiterating a statement that he made to Canadian Running Magazine.

Shortly after telling his team that he would be running in Chicago he addressed the coaches separately, and contradicted what he told the team. He told coaches that he was diagnosed with a heart condition and that his running days may be over."

this is interesting.

so after Frank Meza vehemently denied cutting the course to Derek on Marathon Investigation he has subsequently been proven by the LA Marathon to be not only a cheat but also a barefaced liar.

surely now nothing he says with regards to running can be believed and every single one of his performances should be struck from the record.

This is compelling enough. wrote:

bored troller wrote:

[quote]Roderick Powell wrote:

So, are there compelling pics/data for Phoenix?

Is this compelling enough?:

https://imgur.com/a/OV8obDp

Roderick Powell wrote:

This DQ should create reverberations. After all FM's Phoenix 2:53:54 now becomes the FKT for 70 plus.

Uh, not only isn't it the least bit compelling, Tony, but the wording on your dumb ass meme doesn't really get the point across.

Looks legit wrote:

But it seems like he is only DQ from 2019. They should probably DQ him from 2015, 2017, and 2018.

(Comma or no comma after 2017?)

Sometimes you feel like an Oxford, sometimes you don't.

(I vote no)

bored troller wrote:

Uh, not only isn't it the least bit compelling, Tony, but the wording on your dumb ass meme doesn't really get the point across.

I agree absolutely that you need more than comparative photos of physiques but I still am waiting to see evidence of the definitive overweight man who runs sub 3 marathons over 70 years old.

Any word from LATimes? wrote:

Any word from LA Times?

I think the Saturday release of LAM’s decision might set up a Sunday follow up in the LA Times. Derek had mentioned a while back that he thought one was in the works. This weekend would be a good time for it!

ExpertKipWatcher wrote:

bored troller wrote:

Uh, not only isn't it the least bit compelling, Tony, but the wording on your dumb ass meme doesn't really get the point across.

I agree absolutely that you need more than comparative photos of physiques but I still am waiting to see evidence of the definitive overweight man who runs sub 3 marathons over 70 years old.

1. It's not like he's 300#. He looks healthy enough and that pic is not the least bit compelling.

2. Whoever made the meme (Tony?) also thinks that because he's overdressed and not picking up his feet he looks out of place. It's a snapshot without any context. It could have been a cold day, and it could have been an intentionally slow run. Or a grind at the end of a hard marathon. I've had to the death march at the end of several marathons, and if you think I'm never fast because you caught me grinding once you'd be mistaken.

3. The wording on the meme says to pick the fastest runner. That's not the point. The point is to pick the slowest runner.

bored troller wrote:

1. It's not like he's 300#. He looks healthy enough and that pic is not the least bit compelling.

Too late to argue about it now mate, but as i indicated before, based on what he looks like, especially at his age, he has no chance of a sub 3

Something I'd like to see all Race Directors do: When a runner is DQd don't scrub them from the results. Move them to the bottom and attach the DQ. Too many RD's still take them out of the results completely making it more difficult to track the serial cheats.

what's happening Dwayne wrote:

Dang. They took it further than Derek did.

Of course, as the approved organiser of the event, the authorities would have assisted in getting retail outlets to comply or help, something that Derek could not access, but without Derek's work in those post LRC postings multi second photos/video compilation , they would not have bothered. The split they refer to would be the footage around 18,7km to 20km split where definitive evidence was gathered.

Now where is that annoying troll ? I'm sure it will 'take him a while'.

DQs wrote:

Something I'd like to see all Race Directors do: When a runner is DQd don't scrub them from the results. Move them to the bottom and attach the DQ. Too many RD's still take them out of the results completely making it more difficult to track the serial cheats.

100%, yes that's what we do. It is also easy to add explanatory text after the DQ, because some are due to unintended mistakes

Uncle Rico wrote:

Fine job by LAM. They reached an evidence based conclusion that leaves no doubt, and released the news in a very matter of fact presser.

We'll never know, but I wonder if they also uncovered evidence of the "how he did it."

Maybe he hops onto one of those free community e-scooters that are everywhere. (especially in Long Beach) Or has a few e-scooters of his own parked and locked that he unlocks, then uses for each app. 2.5 mile advance. Maybe their are videos/images of Frank Meza prior to race day parking those for use on race day. ( yes, I know this is not a murder investigation). Or a video/image of him riding an e-scooter on race day. Am I over-thinking this?

DQs wrote:

Something I'd like to see all Race Directors do: When a runner is DQd don't scrub them from the results. Move them to the bottom and attach the DQ. Too many RD's still take them out of the results completely making it more difficult to track the serial cheats.

Agreed, though FM’s result is still there on the marathon guide site for 2014, but I didn’t see it for 2015 or 2016 ( his other CIM DQ — I’ve seen both years noted for it)

bored troller wrote:

Whoever made the meme (Tony?)

Not my meme if I'm the Tony you are referring to. This is one of mine from a few years back:

Haven't taken the time to make any regarding Meza and his cheating, but I might this weekend, I'm sure you will enjoy them!

LAM 2019 was not a complete waste for Frank Meza. He got to make a donation to the LAM charities. I wonder if he runs too for charities like Aztlan. (I think that’s a charity he co-founded in the 1970’s)

DQs wrote:

Something I'd like to see all Race Directors do: When a runner is DQd don't scrub them from the results. Move them to the bottom and attach the DQ. Too many RD's still take them out of the results completely making it more difficult to track the serial cheats.

100%

I LOVE the Ultrasignup profile for a one of MI previous busts who was more recently "formally charged with 10 felony counts of communications fraud, one felony count of pattern of unlawful activity and one felony count of theft. "

Regarding Frank's DQ from the 2019 LA Marathon, kudos to them for doing the right thing, but I hope that this is just the start!

I do not understand why they didn't go ahead and include just a bit more, such as "Due to the clear evidence that Dr Frank Meza cut the course in 2019 and due the the fact that similar discrepancies exist in his previous LA Marathon participations, we have taken the additional measure of removing his previous results. Furthermore, Frank is banned from future participation in all Conqur Endurance Group events. "