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

maybe this wrote:

I don't know if we'll ever get a complete explanation of FM's method, but I think we can say it works like this:

....

6. Try to look inconspicuous, with your bib hidden while you're stretching off course, and visible when you're on course.

Emphasis on try to look inconspicuous.

LA Marathon 2016. Once you figure out Frank's methods, it's not all that hard to find him. He knows that there will be photographers in Hollywood, and on Rodeo Drive in Beverly Hills, where this shot was taken. So, he needs to be in those locations to remain reasonably credible in his own mind. The problem is, he can't seem to stay out of view of the photographers in the minutes before he jumps in. And in he jumped. See this series.

Ooops. That last post should have said LA Marathon 2017. Frank didn't run 2016 because they wanted him to have an observer.....sorry. My eyes are tired....

deadesq wrote:

LA Marathon 2016. Once you figure out Frank's methods, it's not all that hard to find him. He knows that there will be photographers in Hollywood, and on Rodeo Drive in Beverly Hills, where this shot was taken. So, he needs to be in those locations to remain reasonably credible in his own mind. The problem is, he can't seem to stay out of view of the photographers in the minutes before he jumps in. And in he jumped. See this series.

deadesq wrote:

maybe this wrote:

I don't know if we'll ever get a complete explanation of FM's method, but I think we can say it works like this:

....

6. Try to look inconspicuous, with your bib hidden while you're stretching off course, and visible when you're on course.

Emphasis on try to look inconspicuous.

https://imgur.com/a/YUeXxAl

LA Marathon 2017. Once you figure out Frank's methods, it's not all that hard to find him. He knows that there will be photographers in Hollywood, and on Rodeo Drive in Beverly Hills, where this shot was taken. So, he needs to be in those locations to remain reasonably credible in his own mind. The problem is, he can't seem to stay out of view of the photographers in the minutes before he jumps in. And in he jumped. See this series.

https://imgur.com/a/2sEDZdF

ROFL

you sir are a freaking genius.

Frank this is getting really embarrassing, I almost feel bad for you. It might be time to come clean and see if you can salvage what little integrity you have left.

tl;dr version: I believe I've found image evidence (and potential video evidence) of someone that matches Frank's clothing being even with the lead pack at the 10KM mat of the 2019 LAM (even though he started after them), potentially to wait in the park and then cross the 10K timing mat at the right time.

Longer version: There appear to be at least three sets of photos taken at Echo Park, where the 10K timing mat is located and a very scenic location of the marathon. The pictures all appear before the timing mat. There are four photos in question and the live video stream of the race in question. Two very close photos, 133835 and 133836, photo 200668 and the most potentially powerful photo for me was photo 452056.

In photos 133835 and 133836, you can see a figure running in the background. I wish we had the video of the spectator on the left. The clothing all seems to match. At first I thought, "Why would Frank be at Echo Park right as the Elite men came through? Shouldn't he be further down the course or back at the 5K mat?" Then I realized he would need to be there to hit the 10K mat, which is at the end of the Echo Park route which can be proven using the live stream posted by LATV, the local TV affiliate. More on that in a second.

133835:

https://fp-zoom-us.s3.amazonaws.com/3017/3017_133835.JPG

133836:

https://fp-zoom-us.s3.amazonaws.com/3017/3017_133836.JPG

In photo 200668, you can see a figure in the background on the right. Again, the clothing description appears to match. A high resolution photo here might prove the identify of this person.

200668:

https://fp-zoom-us.s3.amazonaws.com/3017/3017_200668.JPG

And finally, the most interesting photo that led me to more investigation, 452056. You'll notice the figure in the background on the left, crossing the road of a marathon in clothes that also match, and again running the wrong direction, towards Echo Park and not down the road. If you were to scroll through the photos, you would see that other runner in the background with the black diagonal stripe across her shirt is Ms. Cox. An example reference photo is just a few later at 452060.

452056:

https://fp-zoom-us.s3.amazonaws.com/3017/3017_452056.JPG

Reference photo for Cox:

https://fp-zoom-us.s3.amazonaws.com/3017/3017_452060.JPG

This photo was taken almost immediately after the elite men went through this area. It dawned on me that there might be live stream video footage from the race stream of Frank crossing the road which would mean he was running the first 10k at faster than the winning pace to get to that point (a far stretch from the 2:21 pace that even the crazy person in this thread has claimed he ran since Barno won this race is 2:11 in a very exciting finish - you should also watch it!), and then resting for a while in Echo Park before hitting the 10K mat. Unfortunately, the video footage posted on FB is simply too grainy for me to make anything out of. However, my connection is terrible so maybe one of you can. A request may be needed to be placed with KTLA for the footage (and potential additional footage that wasn't part of the stream). You could probably even tip them off if they want to scoop the story using their own footage... The time in question on the posted live stream is 1:26:00.

I don't want to get this post deleted, so to find the stream just search "2019 LA marathon live stream." The first link is a FB live stream posted on 3/26 and is 5:41:05. The Echo Park bit starts around 1:25:00.

Sorry if someone else has already posted something similar or caught any of these pictures. I've been sitting on them for a while and haven't had time to summarize the findings until tonight or go through the entirety of this thread for a while. I'll check back maybe Monday if there are any follow up questions.

Here is a broad summary photo:

https://i.ibb.co/CtjwYXQ/Summary-Picture.png

In case this is all old news and I've missed it, here are some fun photos I also noticed:

Shh, he's my bandit pacer:

https://fp-zoom-us.s3.amazonaws.com/3017/3017_178031.JPG

I've made it through 10K! I've got all the energy in the world!

https://fp-zoom-us.s3.amazonaws.com/3017/3017_046190.JPG

You have no idea how long it took me to find these matching arm sleeves, shorts and socks. You should see my what else I'm wearing!

https://fp-zoom-us.s3.amazonaws.com/3017/3017_010687.JPG

My marathon sandals are acting up:

https://fp-zoom-us.s3.amazonaws.com/3017/3017_106338.JPG

..

So, he needs to be in those locations to remain reasonably credible in his own mind.

...

I don't think that's it. If he had a conscience like that, he'd may have fessed up OR not done this nonsense.

A) The photographers are near the timing mats.

B) He was already DQ'd at CIM partly for missing in photos. It's to be credible to the race director. "Hey, I made all the timing mats and I'm not missing in any photos".

deadesq wrote:

maybe this wrote:

I don't know if we'll ever get a complete explanation of FM's method, but I think we can say it works like this:

....

6. Try to look inconspicuous, with your bib hidden while you're stretching off course, and visible when you're on course.

Emphasis on try to look inconspicuous.

https://imgur.com/a/YUeXxAl

LA Marathon 2017. Once you figure out Frank's methods, it's not all that hard to find him. He knows that there will be photographers in Hollywood, and on Rodeo Drive in Beverly Hills, where this shot was taken. So, he needs to be in those locations to remain reasonably credible in his own mind. The problem is, he can't seem to stay out of view of the photographers in the minutes before he jumps in. And in he jumped. See this series.

https://imgur.com/a/2sEDZdF

this post deserves top billing on a new page.

The series of images Deadesq put together deserves to live in the annals of exposed marathon cheaters forever. It deserves to be laid out in detail.

The images are from the 2017 Long Beach Marathon. The location is precisely 1405 E. Ocean Blvd:

https://goo.gl/maps/Np56WpUyEKxLbweR6

The location is around mile 25.7, with just over a half mile to go to the finish line, just around the corner on Shoreline Drive. Prior to this point, FM has hit the timing mats at 5K, 10K, 13.1 miles, and 20 miles, and was photographed at mile 5.6, but he failed to appear in photos taken around mile 8.5 and 17.5. (In 2018, FM misses the timing mat added that year at mile 21.)

To determine the time, first look at two pictures of the finish line taken just seconds apart, the first showing a HM finisher at 1:27:27.

https://iconic-imagecdn.azureedge.net/MFT2017-02/85/817085/1027/0028.jpg?preset=p

The very next image in the sequence, take just seconds later, shows the women's marathon winner approaching the line at 2:47:33:

https://iconic-imagecdn.azureedge.net/MFT2017-02/85/817085/1027/0029.jpg?preset=p

This means the half marathon started one hour and twenty minutes after the marathon.

The time of day in the pictures is around 9:03 AM. FM will finish his marathon (gun time 2:57:09) in around 4 minutes after the following pictures were taken.

In this next photo, we see HM runner #13290. His finishing clock time will be 1:36:08, just after 9:06 AM, so the current time is around 9:03 AM. Just left of 13290's elbow in the background is a white car, while an indistinct figure leans against it.

https://iconic-imagecdn.azureedge.net/MFT2017-01/04/817104/1010/0035.jpg?preset=p

Where does that indistinct figure go? A few frames later, he's on the other side of the car, just over the shoulder of HM runner #4090 (finishing gun time 1:35:44).

https://iconic-imagecdn.azureedge.net/MFT2017-01/04/817104/1010/0038.jpg?preset=p

Then the indistinct figure appears again, now closer and on the sidewalk, just off the shoulder of HM runner #4346 (finishing gun time 1:36:20).

https://iconic-imagecdn.azureedge.net/MFT2017-01/04/817104/1010/0049.jpg?preset=p

Now the figure rises above the pink shoulder of HM runner #4998 (clock time 3:00:12; she was an early HM starter).

https://iconic-imagecdn.azureedge.net/MFT2017-01/04/817104/1011/0001.jpg?preset=p

In the next two images, the figure is nearer and on the sidewalk, but not wearing a bib. HM runner #10172 passes by (gun time finish of 1:37:07).

https://iconic-imagecdn.azureedge.net/MFT2017-01/04/817104/1011/0002.jpg?preset=p

https://iconic-imagecdn.azureedge.net/MFT2017-01/04/817104/1011/0003.jpg?preset=p

The figure is blocked from view until HM runner #11402 goes by (gun time 1:36:59 at finish), and at this point the figure is very clearly FM wearing his Aztlan singlet, but not yet displaying his bib.

https://iconic-imagecdn.azureedge.net/MFT2017-01/04/817104/1011/0008.jpg?preset=p

Then FM remembers he needs to show his bib:

https://iconic-imagecdn.azureedge.net/MFT2017-01/04/817104/1011/0010.jpg?preset=p

https://iconic-imagecdn.azureedge.net/MFT2017-01/04/817104/1011/0011.jpg?preset=p

https://iconic-imagecdn.azureedge.net/MFT2017-01/04/817104/1011/0012.jpg?preset=p

https://iconic-imagecdn.azureedge.net/MFT2017-01/04/817104/1011/0013.jpg?preset=p

Four minutes after he passes this point, FM will cross the finish line for a chip time of 2:54:26, gun time of 2:57:09, or right around 1:37:09 after the start of the half marathon, which corresponds exactly to the finishing times of the HM runners he is photographed with.

What we have here, ladies and gentlemen, is detailed photographic evidence of FM, bib concealed, lingering off the side of the course before jumping back in the race, a half mile from the finish line of a supposed near-record marathon performance. It's just as if Rosie Ruiz were caught on video.

Great work digging up all these photos. Don’t see much need to use the 2019 LA ones at this point,but plan to address the other races one by one.

why bother wrote:

Frank this is getting really embarrassing, I almost feel bad for you. It might be time to come clean and see if you can salvage what little integrity you have left.

Agree, I'm embarrassed for him but at the same time can't help laughing out loud.

Frank, you're a religious man so for the love of your God just come clean and end this as there's nowhere to hide, the hits are just going to keep coming.

*claps*

maybe this wrote:

Just left of 13290's elbow in the background is a white car, while an indistinct figure leans against it.

Nice accurate layout except for the "white car" bit, looks like a red corolla to me.

Hitman. wrote:

why bother wrote:

Frank this is getting really embarrassing, I almost feel bad for you. It might be time to come clean and see if you can salvage what little integrity you have left.

Agree, I'm embarrassed for him but at the same time can't help laughing out loud.

Frank, you're a religious man so for the love of your God just come clean and end this as there's nowhere to hide, the hits are just going to keep coming.

Sadly the kids at Loyola High will be having a field day with this, photos flying around the ether everywhere.

Not a good example Frank.

Just dropped in to say that I am really, REALLY impressed by the sleuths on this thread. Impressive work.

Good job!

I dropped in to see what "Took a While " has to say..;-)

From way back wrote:

Frank 4% wrote:

If Frank's cheating hadn't been discovered then it is highly probable that he would have finished a marathon in under two hours within 10 years or so. So sad, so sad, so sad. Maybe he could start running regularly at Lehigh Valley? I don't think they DQ and Frank is just doing it, for fun.

I think he would have targetted 2:49 for sure. First 70+ to go sub-2:50. Imagine that. He would for sure have beaten Gene to it.

I disagree about the sub-2:00. He's smart enough not to go sub-2:00 before Kipchoge. He knows exactly what times to target. He's doing the math on those splits.

Not for at least 5-10 years surely, but those dreams have been shattered since he was photographed stretching on Podoerick's red corolla. That's why he has to move to the Lehigh Valley. He'll hit sub 2 much faster there anyway.

that's not a white car.

Emphasis on try to look inconspicuous by skulking: "skulking keep out of sight, typically with a sinister or cowardly motive"

deadesq wrote:

Emphasis on try to look inconspicuous.

https://imgur.com/a/YUeXxAl

Santa Clarita Marathon. Frank Meza’s first marathon. His BQ. The race he would certainly have finished second place in, had he run last year. Second place was 3:09. Pretty good for walking across the start line in warm-ups and behind 1,000 plus tightly packed runners, (80% HM runners) needing to pass most of them. From videos I saw on YouTube there are parts of the course where cutting the course would be hard, if not impossible. Pre-planning would be necessary. FYI it is hard to get photos from previous years. Just the most recent race. FM has certainly successfully cut this course 10 times. ( one was a HM) I have come to believe that Frank Meza has not run a mile in under 7:00 in at least 20 years. FM really limited his options with telling “the kids” about running Chicago. So, we should know the end of this story in the next 3 or 4 months, one would think.

maybe this wrote:

https://iconic-imagecdn.azureedge.net/MFT2017-01/04/817104/1010/0038.jpg?preset=p

"Where does that indistinct figure go? A few frames later, he's on the other side of the car, just over the shoulder of HM runner #4090"

Talking to his accomplice?

This one needs hi res.