While the vast majority of participants in races are doing it for fun/exercise, there are a handful of sub-elite runners at most races who are in it for more co

While the vast majority of participants in races are doing it for fun/exercise, there are a handful of sub-elite runners at most races who are in it for more competitive reasons. It could be prize money, but that is usually small. There are other types of compensation though. Being a member of a race team, receiving free or discounted gear, free entries to races, and some level of celebrity within the running community. It's fun and rewarding, and a ton of hard work. I suspect that a significant portion of her world is now rocked. In order to run those times, she is running every day and probably participating in group workouts, etc. A significant part of her social network is likely tied to her success as a runner, even though it is not her primary job. I can only imagine how difficult this must be, which makes her decision to cheat so baffling.