A 70-year-old man who was disqualified from the Los Angeles Marathon in March for allegedly cheating was found dead in the Los Angeles River, KABC reported.
Frank Meza was found in the river around 10 a.m. Thursday, the television station reported. Officials said the cause of death was not suspected to be drowning, according to KABC.
Marathon officials disqualified Meza this week, saying that video cameras showed him leaving the course during his record-setting performance, KTLA reported. Meza finished the 26.2-mile race in 2 hours, 53 minutes, 10 seconds, which the fastest time for a man his age in the Los Angeles race.
The second place finisher in that age group finished the race in 4:10:07, KABC reported.
Meza denied leaving the course to take a short cut, saying he was looking for a bathroom, the television station reported.
Meza, a retired physician who founded the Aztlan Track Club in 1974, also coached cross country at Loyola High School in Los Angeles, KABC reported. The school said he stepped down in June for health reasons.
About the Author
