Uncivilised, shameful and scandalous – Xuzhou marathon marred by bizarre behaviour
- A female runner is caught using a bike during the marathon and is handed a life ban from taking part in the race
- Race volunteers complain that bystanders took boxes of refreshments, chairs and even tables along the route
Organisers of the Xuzhou International Marathon have promised to step up security amid bizarre scenes netizens have slammed as “shameful and embarrassing”.
Last weekend’s marathon staged in China’s Jiangsu province attracted scorn both on and off the track with a woman runner brazenly using a bicycle during the marathon, while there were cases of looting from bystanders after boxes of bananas and water bottles placed along the race route were taken away for personal consumption.
In what is becoming an increasing worrisome trend of cheating and scandalous behaviour at marathons on the mainland, the third running of the Xuzhou showpiece – which saw three races being run, namely the marathon, half marathon and 7-km “fun run” – was marred by theft with race volunteers saying some members of the public took away boxes of refreshments meant for the athletes.
There were also reports that desks and chairs set up along the route were also swiped and several volunteers reportedly had rocks thrown at them when things got out of hand.
Volunteers took to social media to voice their grievances, saying some people could not understand why they were not allowed to take the boxes home.