I always thought this story would make a great ESPN 30 For 30 episode...especially if they could’ve somehow convinced Ruiz to participate.
Anyone else remember the guys that used to run the marathon in the 80s/90s wearing the singlets that said “Rosie Ruiz Track Club” on the front, and on the back it said “Where the Hell is the T?” Good times!
I went to college in Boston in the 90s with a guy who’s father was on the B.A.A. committee assembled that evening to investigate her win. FWIW, he said everyone affiliated with the race knew immediately she was a fraud; it took 8 days to disqualify her because they were hoping for eyewitnesses to come forward, either with photo evidence or an account of how she did it. He also mentioned that the prevailing opinion among the committee was, as others here have said, that she had no intention of claiming victory — she just wanted to go back home and show off a fast time. When she miscalculated and “won”, she went with it. For 39 years.
I guess they invited Gareau back to Boston a few weeks later for a ceremony at the Eliot Lounge and she was very gracious about the whole thing.
I had actually never heard the story about the fake tumor, or the confrontation in Miami a couple years later. You talk about CHUTZPAH.