AdvertisementAdvertisementEast AsiaIn a photo widely shared on social media and posted by a Weibo user, a woman is seen doing a split during a marathon in China. (Photo: Weibo)26 Mar 2026 04:17PM Bookmark Bookmark WhatsApp Telegram Facebook Twitter Email LinkedInAdd CNA as a trusted source to help Google better understand and surface our content in search results.Read a summary of this article on FAST.Get bite-sized news via a newcards interface. Give it a try.Click here to return to FAST Tap here to return to FASTFAST BEIJING: A runner who stopped during a marathon in China to pose doing the splits and another who hoarded energy gels have been banned for two years, the local athletic association said on Thursday (Mar 26).The incidents happened during Sunday's marathon in the southwestern city of Chengdu, capital of Sichuan province, and were widely shared online.Videos showed a woman runner stopping suddenly and dropping to the ground with her legs in a perfect split position, holding up her arms in a heart shape as she apparently posed for a photograph."(She) committed obstructive fouls during the race, affecting the safe participation of other runners," the Sichuan Athletics Association said in a statement, which identified the runner by her surname Wang.Show MoreShow LessA viral photo also showed a man in a neon yellow top carrying a transparent drawstring backpack packed to the brim with packets of energy gels and other food supplies, all apparently taken from supply stations during the race. The male runner, surnamed Zhang, had "illegally taken a large quantity of race supplies for personal use", the association said.Both have been banned from marathons in Sichuan for two years, it said.This was to "enforce race discipline, maintain a fair competition environment... and ensure the safe and orderly conduct of events".Both runners were also disqualified from Sunday's race.Hong Kong marathon runner carrying baby during race is disqualifiedCommentary: China’s marathon boom needs a second windFootage of the incidents attracted up to three million views on China's Weibo micro-blogging platform and sparked a social media backlash."These people should be permanently banned from participating in all marathon races," one angry user said."All (these are) manifestations of extreme selfishness," another user posted.It is just the latest incident to hit China's fast-growing marathon scene.A race official was suspended for a year this month after he mistakenly blocked the eventual winner from crossing the finish line at an event in Chongqing.Previous incidents also included marathon runners jumping on rental bikes and making shortcuts.Source: AFP/rlNewsletterWeek in ReviewSubscribe to our Chief Editor’s Week in ReviewOur chief editor shares analysis and picks of the week's biggest news every Saturday.NewsletterMorning BriefSubscribe to CNA’s Morning BriefAn automated curation of our top stories to start your day.Sign up for our newslettersGet our pick of top stories and thought-provoking articles in your inboxSubscribe hereGet the CNA appStay updated with notifications for breaking news and our best storiesDownload hereGet WhatsApp alertsJoin our channel for the top reads for the day on your preferred chat appJoin hereAlso worth readingContent is loading...Expand to read the full storyGet bite-sized news via a newcards interface. Give it a try.Click here to return to FAST Tap here to return to FASTFAST