By Our Correspondent
National News – Authorities in Chengdu have banned two marathon runners for two years after they disrupted a race by posing for photos and hoarding race supplies.
The disciplinary action was announced on Thursday by the Sichuan Athletics Association, following incidents that occurred during Sunday’s marathon in the capital city of Sichuan Province.
The association said the two runners, identified only by their surnames Wang and Zhang, violated race regulations during the widely attended event.
Wang stopped suddenly during the marathon and performed a full split on the road while forming a heart shape with her hands, apparently posing for a photograph.
Officials stated that her action obstructed other participants and posed safety risks for runners moving at high speed.
According to race authorities, Zhang also breached competition rules by collecting an unusually large quantity of energy gels and other supplies meant for all participants.
Photographs circulating online showed him carrying a transparent drawstring bag filled with energy packs taken from aid stations along the race route.
The Sichuan Athletics Association confirmed that both runners were immediately disqualified from the race and subsequently banned from participating in marathon events across the province for two years.
Officials explained that the punishment was necessary to enforce race discipline, maintain fairness among competitors, and ensure the safe and orderly conduct of future sporting events.
Videos and images of the incidents quickly spread across Weibo, China’s popular microblogging platform, where they attracted millions of views and triggered heated online reactions.
Many social media users criticized the runners’ behaviour, describing it as selfish and disruptive to serious athletes.
One user wrote that such actions undermine the spirit of marathon competitions and called for stricter sanctions.
Another commenter described the behaviour as an example of extreme self-interest during a public sporting event.
The controversy adds to a series of incidents affecting China’s rapidly growing marathon culture.
Earlier this month, a race official in Chongqing was suspended for mistakenly blocking the eventual winner from crossing the finish line.
Other past violations have included runners taking shortcuts or even using rental bicycles to finish races.
Authorities say stricter enforcement will continue to protect the integrity and safety of marathon competitions across the country.
