Violetta Kryza Disqualified From 2002 UPMC/City Of Pittsburgh Marathon
PITTSBURGH (January 4) -- Violetta Kryza of Poland, the first woman to cross the finish line at the 2002 UPMC/City of Pittsburgh Marathon, has been disqualified from the race due to a positive drug test. Magdalena Lewy, 29, of Berkeley, Calif., the runner-up at the May 5 event, has been declared the female winner by race officials. Her finish time was 2:36:48.

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Posted Friday, 3 January, 2003

Contact: David Monti, Media Consultant
dmonti@dellepro.com
+1 212-752-2666
Larry Grollman, Race Director
marathon@msx.upmc.edu
+1 412-647-7866

American Magdalena Lewy Declared Official Winner

Kryza, 34, was found guilty of a doping offense last month by the Polski Zwiazek Lekkiej Atletyki, the Polish athletics federation. She was not only disqualified from the Pittsburgh race but was suspended for two years.

"We strongly support drug testing and a drug-free sport," said race director, Larry Grollman. "We followed all the procedures specified by both the U.S. Anti-Doping Agency (USADA) and USA Track & Field. Obviously, we are disappointed with the outcome, but it shows that the system works. We congratulate Magdalena Lewy on her victory."

In accordance with USA Track & Field rules, Kryza's prize money was held back until the final outcome of her test was known. Lewy, and the other top finishers in the women's race, will receive additional prize money payments reflecting their increased finish positions in the race. Lewy, who received a special bonus for being the top U.S. finisher, will receive a revised total of $10,000.

The 2003 edition of the UPMC/City of Pittsburgh Marathon will be held on May 4, and for the second consecutive year will finish inside of Heinz Field, the home of the famed Pittsburgh Steelers football team. Race information and on-line registration is available at http://www.pittsburghmarathon.org.

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