A Brackaville runner has been told to return his medal after it was discovered he drove for 11 miles in a Fiat Punto during the 26-mile run on Sunday in Belfast, and was even pictured waving at some of the spectators in the car.

Frankie Coyle (47), who only took up running six months ago after he made a bet in a Coalisland pub with a regular that he couldn’t run a marathon before he’s 50, was witnessed getting into a car parked on the Boucher Rd and pretending he was a part of the medical vehicle staff following the elite runners. He then dumped the car at Ardoyne and ran the rest of the marathon in a total time of 2 hrs and 22 mins.

Coyle was seen on CCTV waving at spectators and drinking Lucozade as he drove up the Falls Rd.

Whilst being unavailable for comment, Coyle’s neighbour confirmed:

“Yeah, he’s capable of that alright.”

Coyle has seven days to return the medal.