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The Smoking Marathon Runner -Chain SMOKED Throughout Entire Race
Chinese Marathon Runner Disqualified After Smoking Throughout The Entire Race
Photos of Uncle Chen chain-smoking around the course quickly went viral but the Xiamen Marathon committee announced his disqualification for violating marathon rules
Daily Mail 21 JAN 2024
Uncle Chen, nicknamed the Smoking Brother, managed to complete the Xiamen Marathon while smoking
A Chinese marathon runner who chain-smoked his way through a marathon has now been disqualified from racing, despite ranking highly.
Uncle Chen, nicknamed the Smoking Brother, managed to complete the Xiamen Marathon in an impressive three hours and 33 minutes on January 7 this year. The 52-year-old placed 574th out of more than 1,500 runners but was disqualified for "smoking on the track."
No stranger to puffing while racing, Uncle Chen is a repeat offender but has previously managed to dodge disqualification. In 2022, he came 574th in the Xinanjiang Marathon while chain-smoking.
Photos of him chain-smoking around the course quickly went viral and Chen became an internet sensation, leading to race organisers publishing his finish time to avoid any doubt.
But this year, the Xiamen Marathon committee announced Chen's disqualification. The decision was based on a violation of Article 2.12 in the Xiamen Marathon rules and regulations, they said, which states: "Uncivilised behaviour from runners such as open defecation, smoking, or trampling on flower beds or green spaces that affect the race and the safety of other runners will result in disqualification."
Chen completed the 26 mile course whilst smoking throughout. Local media reportedly noted that Uncle Chen only smokes when he runs.
The Chinese Athletics Association (C.A.A.) implemented the proposal last year to promote healthy participation and curb smoking during road-running events.
According to Canadian Running, Chen serves as the co-founder of the Zhejiang Xianju Road Running Association and the Zhejiang Provincial Marathon in his hometown of Taizhou City. Reactions to Chen’s smoking habit have been mixed, with some social media users labelling him a "legend" and others suggesting his habit is inconsiderate to fellow runners.
He was also pictured with a cigarette during the 2018 Guangzhou Marathon and 2019 Xiamen Marathon, finishing the 2018 race in 3hrs 36mins and the 2019 contest in 3hrs 32mins. Most Weibo, Chinese social media, users shared a similar love for Uncle Chen's quirk.
However, some pointed out that second-hand smoke could affect his fellow competitors. By-Shen wrote: "Whoever runs next to him is unlucky." While user Oriental Mountain asked: "Is this a doping violation?"
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