On March 5th, I was interviewed on The Dan LeBatard show on ESPN radio to talk about Bre Tiesi-Manziel and her infamous half marathon result. During the interview, I was asked if there was a longstanding record that I have failed to get overturn. If there was a case where I want to throw my arms up and make everyone understand. The answer was an emphatic “Yes!”. The records for most marathons in 365 days were essentially hijacked by Larry Macon and Parvaneh Moayedi.
I Ran Marathons and Guinness
I first wrote about Parvaneh Moayedi and her I Ran Marathon series almost exactly three years ago. These races only came to my attention because of their prominence relating to three Guinness World Records.
Most Marathons Run in One Year (Male) – Larry Macon – 239
Most Marathon Run in One Year (Female) – Parvaneh Moayedi – 168
Most consecutive days to run an official marathon (female) – Parvaneh Moayedi – 17
These “races’ are generally held every weekend. There are times where there are daily races. Larry Macon appeared in the results of 102 of 106 possible I Ran Marathon events during his record. Parvaneh appeared in the results of all 80 of The I Ran Marathon races during her world record.
There were many reasons that Parvaneh’s and Larry’s participation in The I Ran Marathons during their records have been questioned.
- Both appear in multiple results from races that were held simultaneously – these always included I Ran Marathon races.
- There have long been allegations of results being falsified for The I Ran races. Participants report more runners listed in the results than actually participated. Runners are routinely listed in the results that have no prior or subsequent race history.
- Both Parvaneh and Larry have been disqualified from other races. Most recently Larry was witnessed cutting the course at The ‘Mo Bell Marathon and was recorded on video. Both have been kicked out of Marathon Maniacs due to their actions.
After receiving multiple messages regarding Parvaneh’s races I decided that I needed to witness a race myself:
“It was me, my friend…and some other girl we didn’t know. We all three ran the half marathon. Parvaneh was there. She stood at the finish/start line and counted laps. She is listed as a marathon finisher as well as nine other marathon finishers.”
“I was out there most of all three days, and while I did see Parvaneh walk or slow jog a lap or two each day, I was surprised to see her in the results as having run marathons, which seems impossible”
“I’ve been running there for several years and have never once seen Parvaneh doing anything other than at finish/water stations”
“no timing chip. hydration stations, medical support, timing clock, starting gun, and of course no verification at all that anyone actually ran the actual distances. For this she charges $100/race. Of course for the two hours I was running, Parvaneh never left the folding table.”
For quite some time, I wanted to witness one of these events firsthand. I mentioned my plan to a reporter who was working on a profile of Marathon Investigation. I suggested that he accompany me to San Antonio. We made plans to observe The February 16th race.
Parvaneh did not know that we were coming ahead of the time. We did not identify ourselves until after we left San Antonio.
February 16, 2019 – San Antonio
There were about a dozen runners at The Leon Creek Greenway at 7 am for The start of the races. After some brief instructions from Parvaneh, the runners began running on the trail.
Each lap consisted of running approximately 1.67 miles to a sign and turning around back to the start. There was no one monitoring the course.
We weren’t registered for the race. The course was not closed. We walked a couple loops of the course. We yelled encouragement to a few runners and I got what information we could from the runners regarding which distance they were running, etc.
I did not identify myself to the runners or Parvaneh. One of the consistent allegations is that Parvaneh puts herself in the results of her races despite not running them herself. If she knew We were there, she wouldn’t likely insert herself in the results. So we had to remain anonymous.
After walking a loop, I decided to take a chance and look around at the start finish area. There were books and hats available for sale, and the finisher medals were laid out.
I decided to take a another chance. I traveled all the way out to San Antonio and wanted to get whatever information I could. I decided at that moment to approach Parvaneh. I was hanging around for long enough that I was confident that Parvaneh did not recognize me. We talked about the race, and her Guinness records.
- Parvaneh confirmed that there was just one runner running the full marathon.
The results were posted 2 days after the race. and show 10 Marathon finishers, including Parvaneh. Parvaneh did not run the marathon the day that we were there. The added names were fictitious. I cannot find evidence of any of these added individuals exist, much less participated in any marathons. This is exactly what I expected. Up to this point there were almost always exactly 10 finishers listed for every single marathon.
- Regarding Guinness, Parvaneh said that she did not run any of her own races as part of her Guinness records.
This was a ridiculous statement. I’ve received her results that were submitted to Marathon Maniacs over the time frame of her record. The count coincides with her World Record and includes 80 results from I Ran Marathons. If those races were not submitted as part of her record, then you would have to believe that she actually is claiming to have run 248 Marathons in 365 days, with 80 of those undocumented and not submitted to Guinness or Marathon Maniacs.
Her official record for most marathons in consecutive days specifically references the final race of her record being run at The I Ran Marathons Winter Festival on January 6th 2013.
I also got a picture with Parvaneh. Evidence that I did indeed speak with her, and that I was there that day.
Aftermath
We witnessed exactly what I expected we would witness. My experience in San Antonio mirrors the reports of over a dozen runners that have emailed me over the past 3 years. Parvaneh included herself in the results of a marathon that she did not run. She fabricated the results to increase the finisher count.
I emailed Parvaneh asking her for a statement. I told her that we were at her race and that we spoke to her. I asked her to explain the results and her statements regarding her records. She did not reply. We also attempted to call Parvaneh, but we were unsuccessful.
I emailed Guinness, and this time I got a response.
Hi Derek, I hope all is well.
I wanted to provide a short update.
The integrity of our record titles is of the utmost importance to our brand., each verified attempt requires thorough evidence and sometimes, additional external research to confirm that relevant guidelines were met and the record was achieved. We take accusations regarding the legitimacy of our record titles or attempts very seriously.
Our Records Management Team is continuing to investigate these claims further.
I will be back in touch with additional information.
So now I am left to wait. And hope that once and for all that these records are returned to their legitimate owners, and that those attempting to break the records in the future are aiming at legitimate targets.
UPDATE: SEPTEMBER 18 2019 – Parvaneh’s records have been removed from The Guinness site. I have reached out to Guinness for comment.
Summary
Parvaneh charges $50 to $110 for runners to run on an open course in a public park. For this money, the runners get some sports drinks, a small medal, and maybe a power bar. There is not timing equipment, and no one verifying that runners are running a full loop.
For this money runners can get inserted into the results among some fictitious names. Although the published participant counts have decreased dramatically after I emailed Parvaneh. Parvaneh was even absent from some results while she was overseas. Perhaps she learned from her Katmandu mistake.
My ultimate goal is for Guinness to revoke all the records that have ties to I Ran Marathons. I also want runners to be educated about these races before they register or travel to these events.
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Great work. This obvious entire charade/scam perpetrated by Parvaneh Moayedi and Larry Macon was given legitimacy by the Guinness record people and they need to end this now. They have enough proof to do so NOW (if not before). Frankly, if she was just “crazy” and wanted to cheat her way to this accolade, that would be one thing (as you’ve documented in other cheating cases) but it’s more sinister as you’ve alluded to all of these years. So, the ball’s in Guinness’ hands now.
Thank you so much for this. I was in San Antonio a few years ago and almost registered for her races. I am so glad now that I did not. What a complete sham!
Yes! Finally her scam has been, once and for all, exposed. I know some of the message board posters over at LetsRun have been wanting for years for someone to do exactly what you did…Basically a “stake out”. You went one better and actually talked to her and caught her in the lie. Thank you Derek!
I remember hearing about this ‘runner’ so many years ago. At the time, no one had the balls to come forward with the allegations/evidence, mostly because Larry’s name was respected in the community… so many of my peers idolised the man and his feats. Seeing these rats exposed brings me joy. Well played, Derek.
At least she had the decency to give herself the slowest time, that way no one can claim that they never saw her pass them.
This is so interesting! I run the Leon Creek Trail quite often all year round, and I have never seen Parvaneh running or walking. She’s always at the start/finish line. I do see the participants because they have a bib on, but only a few. Great job Derek!
Well, I’m sure Matthew White did in fact not start this race.
Great work, as always. I was wondering if the fabrication of finisher numbers was to do with the GWR classification of a race. I know here in the UK for the 100 Marathon Club the race needs to have a minimum number of runners or it does not count. These 7 hour lap races are a good way of running a lot of races and there are some great little companies in the UK that run them (Phoenix, Saxon Viking Norman, Saturn Running) and they have mid week races, do 10 in 10s etc. But I know the organisers and they are very good. This lady is clearly a scammer. Well done on exposing her.
The amazing thing for me is that anyone is content to pay $110 for an untimed training run in a park with a tiny lap, what would you get out of that?
I wonder about the above results, who was the real runner, and how do they feel about their placement.
Every runner in the half and the 10k ran a time to an exact minute? AMAZING! :/
Good to see you publishing again, Derek!
Great work, as always!
The whole thing sounds like a scam to line her own pockets.
Seems like San Antonio Parks & Rec should be fining her for illegally running a business in their park. (It seems doubtful that she had permits to host races there weekend after weekend for years.)
Great catch!
YES!
I’ve been slacking on my dues renewal for Marathon Maniacs. After learning that Larry and Parvaneh were kicked out, I went ahead and renewed.
Thanks Derek!
On her Facebook, she is bragging about doing the Dusseldorf Marathon. Guess what’s missing in the results? 10K, 15K, 21K, 30K, and 35K splits.
Take a look at the pictures of her in the race (only at finish)- her number looks much different than those of the other participants and is the same number as another woman who’s pix also come up earlier in the race. There’s a picture link when you pull up anyone’s result. Odd.
I noticed that as well.
On her Facebook page, she claims to have run the Barcalona Marathon
She has 5K splits. Average about 42 mins a split expect 25-30 which was 19.08.
What do you know –
There’s a nice little out and back section b/t 25K and 30K –> https://www.zurichmaratobarcelona.es/files/Maparecorrido2019.pdf
Excellent fartlek from walking pace to sub 20 5k presumably just to show she can do it if required.
If you look at the course map, km’s 25-30 are an out and back on Diagonal (a nice street in barcelona).
Did you get a response from Guinness world records? For a world record Larry and Pravaneh would need 2 witness statements from every race as per Guinness world records requirements, so either more people are in on this or they just put fake names on the statements.
Great investigative work. What a joke. Would be interested in an attorney’s viewpoint as to whether the whole race business constitutes fraud – defrauding sponsors who think races are more well attended than they allegedly are, for example.
Whoever would pay $110 to run back and forth on a public walkway or pay $47 for a 5k in same fashion deserves what they get.
I have a feeling the next post on this site might be analysis of the Düsseldorf and Barcelona marathons.
Is this a Marathon Maniacs grift? MM requires 10 finishers to be “official.” And there were exactly 10 finishers in the results above. So if one or two people want to level up their MM membership, they could do these “races.” Maybe that would be worth $110 to some people, and make a nice cash flow for her, since she apparently doesn’t spend too much money staging these events. However, MM also requires 15 starters at the marathon distance or further, so the particular results above would not seem to qualify as a legit event for MM, even if all the runners did exist. Perhaps this rule has not always been in place. And perhaps a MM could shed further light on this motivation?
MM started enforcing this rule to PREVENT scam races like hers. The convenient listing of exactly 10 finishers was her attempted work around. So there is a connnection between the rule and her response, but NOT tacit approval by MM.
So what do you think the other runners get out of her races? Do they submit to MM anyway, and hope no one checks the results? Is it worth it to have a tent, table, and gatorade, and a medal at the finish? Is Parvaneh just really charismatic, like a cult leader?
All of this aside, Guinness must use a pretty loose definition of the term “run.” How much running takes place in a 7+ hour marathon?
Yeah, I was going to state the same. I’m all about people running their own race but 7 hrs and 29 minutes?
I’ve ran her races & know others who have as well. She supports local ultra runners. There are no other races or race series like hers in the area. She is someone who allowed runners the opportunities they wouldn’t otherwise have. She keeps costs and overhead low so participants have the opportunity to participate in multiple races as that was her goal. I am curious why the author is asking for donations after writing this article.
Near me there are a lot of races that are much cheaper than that (without the race being a bunch of repeats and having real aid stations), so how can you say she keeps her costs low? These races have no legitimacy to them and I wouldn’t pay more than $5 for them. Running this website costs money, and that is how it gets paid for.
I feel like you didn’t actually read the article …
She keeps costs and overhead low? *laugh* $105usd for a half/full on a multi out and back greenway with one aid station? No policing. No road closures. No proper timing Etc. (Those things that cost the organizer money)You can run the toronto scotia half for $105cdn on a real course with all the amenities of a true race. Such a joke.
Yes, $110 is a really low cost marathon! I mean I’ve run free ones and even some huge large event ones with tons of support and swag for the low cost of $120.
That must be you, Parvaneh? I have NEVER paid $110 for a race. That’s an outrageous cost to get $3 worth of value. St. George only cost me $95!!
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