52-year-old runner gains notoriety for completing marathon while constantly smoking, faces disqualification

In a unique feat that pushed the boundaries of marathon running, a 52-year-old Chinese runner known locally as ‘Uncle Chen’ gained attention for chain-smoking through the entire Xiamen Marathon. Despite his impressive finish time of three hours and 33 minutes, Uncle Chen found himself disqualified for violating the race’s rules against smoking on the course.

Uncle Chen, a familiar face in the marathon scene, has become known for this unconventional approach to running. This wasn’t the first instance of his smoking marathon antics, as he had previously completed entire races while continuously smoking.

Images of Uncle Chen and his distinctive running style quickly went viral on Chinese social media platform Weibo, prompting discussions about his audacious approach to marathon running. The Chinese Athletics Association had implemented regulations last year, including a ban on smoking during the race, and Uncle Chen’s actions fell afoul of these rules.

Fans on social media praised Uncle Chen for his unique and challenging approach to marathon running. Some applauded his ability to complete the race with a cigarette in hand, while others expressed amusement at the concept of playing the marathon on “hard mode.” However, detractors noted that his actions could be disruptive to fellow runners, with some expressing discomfort at the idea of running alongside someone chain-smoking.

Uncle Chen gained international attention two years ago when he was spotted running the Xin’anjiang Marathon with a cigarette, finishing in an impressive time of 3 hours and 28 minutes. Despite the disqualification, Uncle Chen’s unconventional running style continues to capture the imagination of fans, showcasing that marathon running can take on various forms, even with a cigarette in hand.