Controversy at HK100 trail run as record-setting winner Liang Jing of China disqualified
Mainland runner Liang Jing accused of grabbing water from a hiker and littering, overshadowing an incredible women’s record
China’s Liang Jing crossed the finish line of the Vibram HK100 in nine hours and 28 minutes, a course record by three minutes. But his celebration was tempered as he waited to learn if he would be disqualified.
“He grabbed a hiker’s water bottle without permission and then threw another bottle away,” said race organiser Steve Brammar after the race had finished, but before he had spoken to Liang.
“It’s clearly against the rules, and at the organisers’ discretion it could be a disqualification or a time dock, but we will have to wait and hear his side of the story.”
The disqualification was for “outside support” – runners are not allowed help other than at check points, so Liang’s water snatch would be adjudged to have given him an advantage.
The organisers decided to disqualify Liang after speaking with him.
“He asked for the water, and thought it would be OK,” Brammar said. “He thought the hiker would pick up after him because he was running so fast.”