Banned British runner Mike Capper will take his place in tomorrow morning's Reebok Half Marathon at Tai Mei Tuk as one of the pre-race favourites. But the 36-year-old won't be celebrating just yet even if he wins the race for the second time in three years.
Capper will be competing in his first race for three weeks after the Hong Kong Amateur Athletic Association (HKAAA) imposed an 'indefinite' ban on him last month for running in the 'wrong heat' in the 5,000 metres at the Watson's Athletic King Championships at Wan Chai Sports Ground on October 8.
Tomorrow morning's 21-kilometre race is not sanctioned by the HKAAA meaning Capper can take part, but Hong Kong's leading middle-distance runner has already missed out on a possible trip to Chiba, Japan, because of the ban and now he is eager to clear his name.
Capper is banned from taking part in all HKAAA-sanctioned events, including the Watson's Cross Country Meet which offers a free trip to Chiba to the male and female winners after three races.
The ban was imposed after Capper ran in the first heat instead of the second at the Watson's meeting in Wan Chai. But Capper claimed he had been given permission to run earlier.
Capper said he had tried to explain to HKAAA officials that he wanted to run in the first heat because the race was delayed by about 45 minutes and that it was a very hot day.
He was allowed to run in the first heat and he won by about 400 metres. But he was shocked to learn from the HKAAA a few days later that he had been banned.