Barnsley Marathon Runner Comes In Five Days Late After Being ‘Groomed’ At Feeding Station
2019-10-04
An investigation was under way this morning after a Barnsley-based British athlete disappeared at the first feeding station during the World Athletics Championship marathon in Qatar at the weekend.
Tracey Bleak, From Wombwell was already three miles behind the field when she reached the first feeding station at the five mile stage of the race around Doha. She wasn’t seen again until she arrived back at the athletics stadium in a Skoda taxi last night, apparently unharmed but two stones heavier.
Eye witnesses, at the first feeding station reported seeing Tracey being offered an energy drink before having her attention drawn by a shadowy figure in the background brandishing what looked like a tray of pork pies and a large bag of Greggs Pasties. “It seemed to have a hypnotic effect” said one bystander who asked not to be named. “She just veered off into the crowd and that was the last we saw of her. It was blatant grooming. That’s the only way I can describe it.”
A spokesman for the world championship organisers confirmed that an investigation was under way this morning “This appears to be an unfortunate incident involving a gastronomically vulnerable athlete” he told The Bugle “In the future, we may have to restrict Barnsley athletes to the shorter events where the result can’t easily be influenced by the availability of pastry based products.”
