Heavy online criticism arose after two runners in the Chengdu World Heritage Marathon 2026 were handed two-year bans for behavior considered dangerous and selfish during the race.
The incident occurred in Chengdu, the capital city of Sichuan Province, China, last Sunday and quickly went viral across social media platforms.
A female runner surnamed "Wang" shocked spectators when she suddenly stopped mid-course, then sat down in a full leg split while raising her hands to form a heart shape for a photo.
Photos and videos show her actions caused the runners behind to brake too late, leading to collisions and falls in a chain reaction, risking serious injuries.
The Sichuan Athletics Association stated that her actions obstructed the race and compromised the safety of other participants.
Meanwhile, another controversy involved a male runner surnamed "Zhang," who was caught carrying a clear bag packed with numerous energy gels and runner snacks.
Reports indicated he took these items from aid stations in excessive amounts, potentially causing shortages for other runners.
The association said he misused race supplies for personal use, which clearly violated the rules.
Both the female and male runners involved were banned for two years from all marathon events in Sichuan Province and disqualified from the current race.
The association emphasized that these measures aim to uphold race discipline, ensure fairness for all competitors, and prevent dangers on the course.
Source:channelnewsasia,Shanghai Daily
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