A racer who was thought to be the first woman to cross the finish line in the GO! St. Louis Marathon likely only ran the last portion of the race.
According to the St. Louis Post-Dispatch, Kendal Schler had her picture taken with Jackie Joyner-Kersee and was poised to collect the $1,500 first prize after appearing to be the first female to cross the finish line Sunday, April 12.
Officials later determined that Schler likely slipped onto the course near the last checkpoint. Suspicion arose after her times didn't register at checkpoints. In addition, none of the race spotters nor photographers could provide evidence that Schler ran the race.
She claimed that her times didn't register because the magnetic strips had been removed from her bib.
Following her disqualification from the St. Louis race, organizers contacted Boston Marathon officials where she had been invited to race because of her finishing times in both 2014 and 2015. Her third place finish time in 2014 is also in question.
Based on the information, she has been disqualified for the 2015 Boston Marathon.
Andrea Karl was officially recognized to be the first female to cross the finish line in the race and awarded $1,500.
