"Deeply ashamed": 258 runners caught cheating at Shenzhen Half Marathon | News from the world

The organizers of the Shenzhen Half Marathon said that the 258 participants caught cheating during Sunday's race will not be able to escape the punishment for their actions.

It was discovered that no less than 18 runners wore false bibs and three ran on behalf of others. They face lifelong bans of the event, the Xinhua news agency reported.

The other 237 people, most of whom had shortcuts during the race and were intercepted by traffic cameras and local photographers, could be banned for two years.

In the most egregious case, a traffic camera surprised runners making a U-turn at least 1km before it could turn around, which could reduce the 21km run by about 10%.

The video shows runners crossing bushes and trees separating two parts of the course.

According to the organizers quoted by Xinhua: "We deeply regret the violations that took place during the event." Running a marathon is not just an exercise, it's a metaphor for life and every runner is responsible for himself. "

Xinhua, barely masking her disgust at widespread cheating, described her as "deeply ashamed" and added, "Whatever the participants or organizers, they need to think: what is the importance of to participate and hold marathons?

"Do not run and do not forget why you run. Do not let the marathon turn sour. "

Participants in the Shenzhen Marathon, just on the Hong Kong border, had to register with valid references, such as identity cards, residence permits, passports or military ID cards.

Other marathons in China have reportedly started using facial recognition technology to track runners.

Competitors of other marathons are now equipped with electronic chips that record the progress of the runners when they pass on timing mats installed around the course. This provides more accurate times – but it also gives the organizers, and anyone who cares to watch, a wealth of data to examine suspicious results.

The marathon and leisure run is growing strongly in China, despite the pollution that often covers large cities, participants wearing the latest technologies and clothing technologies.

According to the Chinese Association of Athletics, in 2011 there were only 22 marathons, half marathons or other running events in China. However, that figure has climbed to nearly 1,100 this year.