Online backlash and sympathy as HK100 runner stripped of title for accepting outside support
Online storm rages praising organisers for DQing runner for accepting outside support, condemning and offering sympathy to runner
The title and record was passed to fellow mainlander Qi Min, who crossed the finish line second behind Liang Jing in nine hours and 28 minutes.
Liang, from China, took a water bottle from a passing hiker. He was under the impression he had permission to accept the bottle.
Either a language barrier or general confusion meant the hiker was not expecting to have the bottle taken, and then Liang threw it away.
The official reason for his disqualification was “accepting support outside a check point”, but the online community quickly condemned the runner for snatching the bottle without permission and then littering.
American trail runner Sage Canaday was quick to point out Liang would have been aware of the rules.