Comrades shock for Budd
Budd was the first female veteran runner to cross the line, but this has now been disallowed because she did not display her age category tag according to the officials.
Her SA manager, Ray de Vries, says Budd was issued with an international number which has the age category tag on it.
In the international final instructions it states that the age category is on the race number.
De Vries says the women who were awarded the second and third places also only had an age category on their race numbers, exactly the same as Budd.
"The question is why is Zola being singled out? A mistake has been made and it needs to be rectified," said de Vries.
"I won it fair and square - my whole athletics career has been plagued by politics and interference from administrators who are selective and do not apply the rules consistently," said Budd from her home in Myrtle Beach, USA.
"It feels like they are targeting me specifically. Why does this rule apply to me and not to others?" she said.
De Vries added that, after she had a picture perfect Comrades and had huge support from the crowds along the way, she was hugely disappointed.
"When she came into the stadium at the finish, the entire stadium chanted ZOLA ZOLA. It was wonderful for her to be welcomed like that. Two days later we were informed that she was not awarded the first veterans prize because she was not wearing a separate age category tag. Firstly, her final instructions said the age category is on the race number on the front and back. Secondly, the athletes that were officially placed first and second were also not wearing separate tags. Rules must be applied equally and consistently," said a furious de Vries.
Budd has taken advice from well known international road running expert, Norrie Williamson. His opinion is that the officials are wrong and that Budd needs to have her first prize re-instated.
*Update: Speaking to Newswatch, the Comrades Marathon race director has defended the decision. Click here for more.
(File Photo: Gallo Images)