Boston Marathon Runners Furious Their Bibs Were Counterfeited

BOSTON (CBS) - When Greta Shomper crossed the Boston Marathon finish line with her qualifying number 14707 she had no idea two more runners were behind her with the same number.

"I'm livid, just livid," she told WBZ-TV. "Everybody is on their own journey and for someone to jump in the middle and steal people's thunder isn't right."

She doesn't know how the two counterfeited the number she trained for months to earn, but they gained entry to the race by skirting the rules.

"I want an answer from them. Why are you doing this and what did you get out of it?"

It's the same question the Dana Farber marathon team has for another runner wearing 26776. It's the counterfeited number of Eileen Wallace who raised at least $5,000 for cancer research.

Her team captain says in a way she was robbed. "The serenity and joy of the experience after a major accomplishment in life," said Jack Fultz, who won the 1976 Boston Marathon.

Fultz believes he has identified the bandit runner who crossed the finish line even receiving a medal. At the very least he's looking for an apology. "I'm giving him the opportunity to make this right for everyone involved," he said.

The Boston Athletic Association says it works hard to maintain the integrity of the race, but says bandits can be difficult to control and catch.

"We do take it seriously and we're going back now to take a look at photos and begin the adjudication process," said BAA director Jack Fleming.

Greta Shomper is hoping these individuals can't hide from their deceit.

"They didn't earn that medal and they didn't earn that right to run down Boylston Street," she said.

WBZ NewsRadio 1030's Bernice Corpuz reports